Venado Middle School

Venado has been under new leadership for the past couple of years, and things are looking up. I expect that things will continue to improve as long as the current principal and assistant principal stay. However, there is still a lack of flexibility and high amount of stress on the students. There is still an exaggerated workload/learning ratio, which, in turn, hampers extracurricular activities. Parent involvement in Irvine is always high - the new administration seems much more willing to listen to parents' input. Teacher quality is mixed: there are some truly outstanding teachers and some truly awful ones (why don't teachers change careers if they don't like kids?) Definitely ask around, and believe what your kids tell you about their teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Venado Middle School is blue ribbon school and thouroughly deserves that award. The principal leadership is apparent throughout the school. The teachers are mostly experienced and provide a great and interesting place to learn. Its assortment of extracurricular sports activities make sure al the kids here are well-balanced. Parent integration is lacking but the supportivness is shown in the students. Speaking as a student, this school has provided a lot for my education. Its advanced classes are very challenging which brings my only major contreversy of the workload on students. On some nights the work can pile up to approx. 4 hours not excluding weekends. But overall this is an excellent school and place to grow.
—Submitted by Average Student, a student

It has been my experience that the staff and teachers at this school will assist students and their parents in any way possible. Our child has done better in this school than any other school to date. The students at this school are given every chance to succeed. Our only concern is the amount of homework that is assigned. There are occassions when out child will do homework util very late at night. Overall, we are quite pleased with this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am new in knowing this school.I have noticed that this school has a hi/deaf program aside with the regular prigram. Every one signs and most speak as well(except deaf). I was told that the school is challenging, which is a plus in my book! But, what I was concern that the hearing impaired students who are verbal might lose their speech due to extensive signing at the capus. The signing is an elective to take for the hearing students to encourage them to interact with deaf students and there are a lot of understanding of this deficit.
—Submitted by a parent

We are not very happy with this school: the classes are too big, children do not get enough attention.
—Submitted by a parent

Venado claims to be a 'blue ribbon school.' However, this is at the expense of children who don't conform to their rigidity. If you are a conformist and willing to subject your children to immense pressure in order to boost their test scores, Venado is probably right for you. However, if your child dares to be a critical thinker or otherwise doesn't fit their mold, watch out.
—Submitted by a parent