Del Cerro Elementary School

My daughter has attended Del Cerro for 2 years now and we have been very happy. The teachers are caring and concerned about the kids - even though they have to deal with increasing class sizes. The kids I've met from all grades are happy and well-rounded and the parents and PTA are great. We are moving out of state at the end of the year and my daughter is so sad to be leaving the school she loves.
—Submitted by a parent

My two daughters just finished first and second grade at Del Cerro, and we love this school. The principal does a great job being visible and available to parents and participates in all the activities. The PTA at the school creates a lot of fun activities for families. The teaches I've encountered so far have been rigorous, direct, and caring. I think the teachers are doing a good job of dealing with devastating budget cuts and large class sizes, and communicating my children's homework needs and areas to work on to me as a parent. Having my children at Del Cerro has me feel like I'm part of a large, caring community in Mission Viejo.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal and the teachers are great. The PTA generates funding and supports the school. The school environment is also good.
—Submitted by a parent

Staff is okay, but do not appear to encourage parent input (but encourage parent involvement). As a GATE school, some teachers need further training understanding Gifted children and their behaviors. They are behind in technology with many teachers still using overhead projectors and a couple computers in each classroom. Overall the school is okay.
—Submitted by a parent

Del Cerro has been a great experience so far for me and my children. My third daughter is going to be starting kindergarten there in the fall and I am looking forward to it. The staff there is always helpful, teachers have been good to great, and my children are happy there!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school, excellent teachers, excellent parents, excellent students. My fifth-grade and third-grade children have both been at Del Cerro since kindergarten and have often told me they want to stay through 6th grade. The teachers have experience and, most important, encourage children to take responsibility for themselves. We purchased our home because of the great reputation of this school and have not regretted our decision.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just started Kindergarten here, she absolutely loves it! Her teachers are wonderful. Now Kindergarten is her favorite activity,coming before her dance and gymnastics classes!
—Submitted by a parent

With both myself and my husband being born and raised in Mission Viejo, we wanted the same for our children. I myself attended Del Cerro for K- 6th grade, and I also have a daughter enteing 5th grade and a son into Kindergarden. The teachers are phenomenal, and the administation are warm and knowledgeable. There is something for everyone here, and you can be as involved as you want to be. You only get out what you put in, and you will have an amazing experience at this school if you put in any sort of effort. This school is like a family to us, maybe that is why we will never leave.
—Submitted by a parent

If you are looking for Great Schools in Mission Viejo, than Del Cerro is one of the best. In addition to being a GATE school, the Principal and the Teachers want to challenge all the students. I had an opportunity to meet the Principal prior to choosing this school and its clear that she cares about the kids and wants them to grow in social and academic areas. We had a Family BBQ last week and should have 70-80% participation in the PTA. (our goal is 100%) The PTA supports the School in many ways including: Science programs, Music, Assemblies and Technology. In three weeks I have seen more involvement then foremost of the year at our last school. I look forward to the next 7 years for my youngest at Del Cerro.
—Submitted by Thom Grifftih, a parent

Overall, I am very happy with the quality of education at Del Cerro. The principle appears to be very involved and has been at all the school functions I've been able to attend. Altogether, my children have had 5 teachers there (K-3) and I've been quite happy with all but one of them. My reasons for not liking here were more to due with personality than quality of education, so take that for what it's worth. i'm not qualified to address the music and arts programs. i know they have special teachers come in to give (weekly?) lessons. The school facilities are adequate but by no means elaborate.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not impressed with the level of experience from my child's teacher. This is her second year teaching, and she seems to be out of touch with what some of the lower performing students are doing. The school depends on help from the parents in the classrooms which seems odd to me since it was not like that when I was in school. The parents are not credentialed teachers and should not be giving lesson instructions. The principle seems to have a great understanding of children and their behaviors, but the younger teachers do not, and they should not be handed a classroom until proving that they are mature enough to handle the responsibility.
—Submitted by a parent

So far not impressed with the school or its staff. Haven't seen much offered at all for the lower grades, and they are most important. The early you teach a child the better off they are. If you are a parent that works full time don't expect a great big welcome from the staff or other parent helpers, they seem to snub you if you work. The school could also use a good cleaning.
—Submitted by a parent

We just started our 6 year at Del Cerro. For one of my children this was her 3rd school. I love the class size/school size. Having been at a larger elementary school and having the sense of 'getting lost' you wont find that here. The teachers are like family. Some grew up here and went to this school. That is important to us. I believe there is excellent parent participation. The PTA helps fund many art, science and music programs. Most classing have full PTA membership. This school is also classified as a GATE school. You can't go wrong there!
—Submitted by a parent

Del Cerro won the California Distinguished School Award two times ~ current one in 2004! The quality of academic programs are great. The upper grades have science lab; all grades have Art Masters and music classes. There are after school programs, chorus before school and a winning math team. The teachers and PTA asks for volunteers every year and parents help in the class rooms, with the PTA programs and with the enrichment programs. With GATE children and Special Ed kids there are a lot of choice families ~ because Del Cerro is a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

I attended this school from K-12 and after having kids I returned to review its continuing progress. I am very pleased with the staff as a whole. They are very willing to do what is needed for your child. They had a good special ed. program and mainstream program.After school programs are available on site as well as variety of electives for the kids.
—Submitted by a parent