Aliso Elementary School

This school is amazing and it is terrible that they closed it down.I don't understand why Santiago has a hire rating then this.
--Submitted by a parent

It is an all around great school!
--Submitted by a parent

My children attended Aliso Elementary from kindergarten through sixth grade, and I feel they had fabulous, dedicated teachers throughout their school careers. They were challenged, rewarded, made close friends, and felt very safe and happy there. As a member of the PTA I worked closely with the office staff, principal, and many teachers. I found them to be dedicated and professional, while extremely approachable. I loved the small, family atmosphere of Aliso.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is adequate at best. If you are looking for a school to provide an enriching environment for your child to learn, look else where. Unfortunately, this has the potential to be said about any public school in the state of California. The teachers are all tenured and while some are terrific, others should be in a completely different profession. School needs to be about the kid not about the rules, PTA or the SVUSD Board. One size does not fit all. Education should be about the individual.
--Submitted by a parent

Wow it's true you don't know what you have until it's gone! My child attended Aliso from the fourth grade thru the sixth grade and has gone on to the Junior High level. Aliso was a multicultural and great experience for my child. Teachers really try to connect with their students and the fact that its a smaller school helps foster a tight knit atmosphere. The PTA works hard at suplementing the Drama and the Art programs and parent participation is encouraged and very welcomed, even in the smallest of ways. Our children grow up to fast and finding a place that nurtures them, such as Aliso and fosters a level of growth and opportunity is rare. Needless to say I look back fondly (even though not every single moment there was not perfect) at our time at Aliso and so will your child(ren).
--Submitted by a parent

The level of parent involvement at Aliso is high. The PTA is very active and there are countless opportunities for parents to volunteer time in the classroom or extra-currucular activities. I give the front office staff an A+ rating for an open, welcoming attitude as well as helpfulness. They make an extraordinary effort to know every child. The academics here are about average. There are good teachers and mediocre ones. There are a few very good ones. If your child is struggling, however, do not expect to be provided with accurate information regarding Special Ed testing or qualification. Many parents have been wrongly told that their child needs no support, only to meet disaster later because nothing was done and no support given. The current principal, Mrs. Chadd, is dedicated and reasonable. She works well with parents and does not shut out negative comments.
--Submitted by a parent

If your child attends Aliso, be sure to remain pro-active and deeply involved in all aspects of their education. Aliso is a decent school, but there are definitely better schools in the Saddleback District, so be sure to ascertain all of your options prior to placing your student at Aliso. The administration can be very accommodating, but they usually require a push from the parent. For the most part the teachers are adequate, but there are also a few teachers who parents should be wary of. Above all, stay active in your student's school life, and know what is happening at school and in the classroom. Do not take for granted that your student is getting the education that he or she deserves, because without parental involvement chances are that he or she is not.
--Submitted by DEA OGATA, a parent