Alta Murrieta Elementary School

My daughter didn't do so well in pre-school so I was worried about her academics in kindergarten. I originally wanted to send her to a priavet christian school, but her preschool teacher said she might have a learning disorder. Thinking a public school would have more resources if needed, I registered her to Alta at the last minute, a week before school started. Her teacher was very supportive and understanding. I am a high school teacher in a different school district so I don't know how to help my child at home and her teacher sat with me for more than an hour giving me ideas during a parent conference. I really like this school so I decided to send my son here too. He will be starting kindergarten.
—Submitted by a parent

Horrible it looks like somebody is tooting their own reviews. They seem rigged. How dare you kindergarten teacher you know who you are keep your hands off the kids. I would never recommend this school to anyone period.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my 4 children in a total of 7 schools in Murrieta, Menifee and Temecula, charter schools and regular and this school is the FIRST school I have had NO complaints about whatsoever. The teachers are so great, the office is understanding and caring, the Principal is seriously the very best principal I have ever seen, his involvement is so respected. The kids ADORE him. The campus is nice and my kids LOVE it there. The kids they go to school with are good kids, which I cant say for schools in Menifee area. Parent involvement is ridiculous! I cant help in the classrooms because they have parents who volunteer daily. I wish I had sent my kids here along time ago..(but we just moved to the neighborhood so I couldnt!)
—Submitted by a parent

This is our second year at Alta and I now have 3 children attending. The principal is highly involved, fair, and genuinely concerned with everything that goes on in the school. All of my children's teachers have been wonderful and hard working. The members of the office staff are polite, helpful and patient. There are numerous activities the students and families can participate in. Pickup in the afternoon is crowded though. But overall, excellent school.
—Submitted by a parent

Parents beware. I was treated rudely by office staff. (First letter "D" Discrimination and my daughter told me someone held her hand down very tightly in kindergarden when she was crying the first day. Nobody is saying nothing while I am filing a report with Education services in Murrieta. Listen to your child if something doesn't seem right it usually isn't.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school!My daughter is doing great and reading so well. The teacher's are great! THey help your child excel.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to Alta for the last two years and we love it. Alta has a caring and dedicated principal and teachers. It is very obvious when you read their 2008 CST results. Amazing!!! Thank Mr. P and thank you Alta teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Mr. P is awesome. Most of the teachers are great too! Great school! PTA there is the best!
—Submitted by Cathy Bearse, a parent

Children get a lot of the arts at Alta. Every room is packed with art projects. Student web pages have a lot of art. Every class performs in a musical program. Lots of classes do extra plays and programs. 4th and 5th graders have the band program. The after school clubs are starting, and the teachers are volunteering without pay to provide these extra activities for the kids - dance, art, music, computers. After-school tutoring is free for kids in need. If you have more ideas, bring them to the PTA or Site Council. They really listen.
—Submitted by a parent

Alta Murrieta is a great school to send your children. Not only does it have a great staff but it has excellent and caring teachers as well, I recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Alta is by far the best school. Not only did I attend Alta, but my daughter attended Alta for grades 1-3. We moved to a school that does not even compare to Alta. Her new school is in a diff. district & county & they even raved what a good school Alta is! They even use Alta's website for activities! Alta's teachers and staff are like a second family to my daughter and I. We often go back to the campus to say hi to her old teachers, aids, office staff and her Principal.I am proud to say that my daughter attended a school with smaller teacher ratios and most importantly that she attended a Ditinguished School. Being a Distinguished School is a huge accomplishment and we should all feel so lucky to have our children attend one of the best schools in the country.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very impressed with Alta Murrieta School. My two children attend Kindergarten and 2nd grade here. I feel like my boys are getting a good education. However, I am extremely turned off with the fact that the school 'toots its own horn' regarding its recent 'distinguished school' status. While this is impressive, I am afraid they are resting on their laurels, rather than trying to continue to improve themselves and the school for the students. The school talks loudly and often about incorporating 7 character counts attributes into the curriculum, but I hear nothing of it at home (even with prodding). Also, the principal and his administrative staff are not warm and welcoming to parents (however they are great! to the kids).
—Submitted by Becky Spence, a parent

As with all elementary schools in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District this school does not have programs for music, art or sports that are both required and separate from the child's regular teacher. This can create a problem if the child and her regular teacher have a personality conflict. The child may be turned off to learning altogether if that be the case. I also see this as a severe hindrance to a child's smooth transition to middle school as the child has been exposed to very few teachers throughout her elementary schooling.
—Submitted by a parent

My son went here for two years..it is a very good school.
—Submitted by a parent

Alta is a tiny school. It is too small to learn in or interact in.
—Submitted by a former student

My son enjoyed his transfer from a SD Unified school to Alta Murrieta Elem. It was a step up and it showed in his attitude. The teachers and staff are great.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children who are new to this school. I have not been impressed with the Principal at this school, nor with a few teachers. My kids came from a wonderful school district but have been treated like they are below standard. I found it to be a huge turn off as a parent. To be fair I have seen that not all teachers here offer the same viewpoint. Administration should be very aware of how important it is to not put a family off by talking about how they are the best school district in the state and how everyone else's standards are not up to theirs.
—Submitted by Jeanne Rugg, a parent