Valencia Elementary School

My child is in kindergarten at this school and loves it. The kindergarten students have a separate science teacher/lab space and a garden in the playground. The teachers seem to be very engaged and caring and hold high expectations of their students. The incoming kindergarten students take an assessment test and are screened for knowledge of sight words, spelling, and math concepts such as sorting and patterns. Parent teacher conferences happen early on, within the first two monts of school. One caution to incoming parents is to be aware of the school's divisive mommy culture, which is apparent on the K level. There is a stark division by income at this school - which translates unfortunately into an exclusion by moms of other moms if they do not drive the right kind of car to pick up their kids or do not live in the right neighborhood, etc. Cliquey moms have play dates and parties for their kids only, to the detriment of the excluded kids (they don't bond as quickly with their classmates) and literally turn a cold shoulder to moms who try to approach them even to say hello. That might seem tangential to an education review, but it is relevant to the school experience here.
--Submitted by a parent

A Single Parent cannot do it all either. We must all read including the parents because children do what they see. But let's look at Laguna Beach School. The children there have online access to their books and homework. They have smaller classrooms. Can get their homework done at school. We did get a dvd one year for Social Studies and were able to install it so we had access to it any tme. This year we didn't get that. I am not saying teachers have to do it all. I am saying what is required of teachers today has a direct impact to what they're able to accomplish in the classroom. The No Child Left Behind act has put more testing in the classrom and less instruction time.
--Submitted by a parent

A teacher can't do it all! What I think it really changed is the amount of time parents dedicate to their kids instruction. My kid is in Valencia in a class of 31, he started to read in November and let me tell you...he reads and writes beautifully (and by the way he enjoys it!). I would have never known it if it wasn t for the teacher who called me one night and told me he was ready to read. We have been reading since then every day! I can t expect the teacher to seat daily with my child to practice, what I expect from her is to give me the tools to help him be a good student. I understand in today s days moms are busier, I m a mom too and I work! That doesn t stop me from putting my kid instruction on the top of my to do list . Homework it s just another way to make sure our kids will become responsible adults!
--Submitted by a parent

The Valencia PTA is a committed and dedicated group of Parents, Teachers, administrators and Staff that work together in making this school excellent. The PTA maintains a healthy budget and funds the following: Library staffing, Art Masters, Reading Counts, Composer Countdown, Science Enrichment program, assemblies, school nurse, Grounds Beautification, Boo Bash, teacher classroom expenditures, contributions towards field trips, jog a thon, Donuts With Dad, Parent Educational Nights, Staff appreciation week, and on, and on. It is evident that this community is passionate about their school and their students. It is a privilege to have my children attend Valencia!! Thank you to all the parents that volunteer thousands of hours! You help make this school great!!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a grandparent of two girls that attend Valencia. This school ranks in the top 2% statewide on STAR academic testing; has a highly gifted full time program, special education, music, and too many other activities to list here. Parents buy homes in this community with the sole reason of sending their kids here. PTA raises thousands to fund the library, technology, science and art programs to supplement the curriculum. Parent involvement under the leadership if one of the most dynamic PTA's in the state bring a sense of caring and community to the school. Teacher's and the principal are exceptional! You are lucky to get your child into Valencia.

Valencia is a great school. The whole environment is top notch... Great teachers, great parent support and an awesome, supportive administration. The principal, Mr. Jeremy Stonebarger is first class and sets the tone from top down... Go Valencia!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Valencia is a great school. The teachers are caring and do a wonderful job teaching. The PTA is very strong and really cares about our kids. Valencia is a Blue Ribbon and Gate school. We are lucky to be in the district.
--Submitted by a parent

We have 3 kids here so far 6th, 5th and 3rd grades now, all have been here since Kindergarten. Our experience has been fantastic, not only with the regular teachers and classes, but also with the wonderful community of parents, scouts, little league and extra arts/science/christian activities all here. We grew up ourselves in the area and can attest that there is no better school and environment for children in South Orange County, public or private.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a teacher at Valencia. It is the best place to work because the parents, students, teachers and staff are awesome! Way to go, Valencia!
--Submitted by a teacher

This school is equivalent to a private school. The GATE program is of extremely high caliber as is the regular curriculum. The teaching staff is top notch, parent involvement is superior and the atmosphere is exceptional. The school even has an exchange student program with a private elementary school in Paris France (the school that the President of France sends his 10 year old to). No need to waste money on a private school if you live in this school district.
--Submitted by a parent