Christa McAuliffe Elementary School

I would not recommend this school if your child has special needs. My son began experiencing behaivoral problems starting in 2nd grade, he didn't improve by 3rd grade so we took him to a clinical psychologist and was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome w/ ADHD. The teachers and staff at this school were very insensitive to my son's needs, they lacked compassion, tolerance, and patience, and they provided only the bare minimum for him. We finally had enough and by the time he got to 4th grade we were able to move to Orange County and Wow! What a difference in standards! We went with walls up expecting resistance from all ends but no way none of that happened! My son was welcomed with open arms and accepted from day one. He has all the support he needs and is excelling tremendously. By the way, my daughter, who is typical, also attended here and she did fine, we had no problems with her teachers, so it just goes to show you.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter just completed Kindergarten at McAulife. I used this site to decide whether or not she should come here when we were making our move back to the area last year. I couldn't be more happy and neither could she. The kindergarten team has to be among the best in the state. The new principal is awesome, the PTA is fantastic and never makes you bad if you or don't want to be as involved as others. Can't say enough about how great this place is for us.
--Submitted by a parent

great school that teaches 4th grade (10 yrs of age) on how a child is conceived and period.
--Submitted by a parent

my son loves it and so do i one of the top schools with great education
--Submitted by a parent

I accualy attended McAuliffe K-5 grades. I personally loved it! There are so many great memories i have there. My teachers were very nice, and although i was not the brightest kid, I tryed my best and respected my teachers. My personal "booster" was having my teachers tell me i did well on one thing or another, and i hope they keep doing that with the kids that go there now.[the little things count] I have academically bloomed since then, but it was becasue of the basic knowledge that i built, here. I live near, and plan to volunteer sometime this year as I move onto College.

We love this school! I have two children at McAuliffe and have found the teachers to be outstanding. Not only to they encourage healthy activities like running and PE, they teach the children to be upstanding citizens. The principal and teachers both encourage the students to be their very best and reward them for doing so. Despite the larger class sizes (due to budget cuts), the teachers continue to look for and implement creative teaching techniques that appeal to all skill levels. The PTA at this school is remarkable. Parents are involved at every level, from recycling to fundraising to assisting in the classroom. You can't turn the corner at this school without running into a parent volunteer or PTA board member... Best of all, the PTA is low stress/low pressure for the parents. It's a "come as you are and do what you can" mentality at this school. Thank goodness we have such wonderful, dedicated people in Oceanside who care for the school and love to help the kids the way they do.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended McAuliffe k-5, I can only say good things about the staff that I have encountered in all the years, and I have another child still there. With all the news around the pledge of allegiance in schools today. I am finding it rather ironic that a couple years ago when my older son attended McAuliffe the class only "found the time on Friday or Monday's" according to his teacher. But my younger one attending the same school said it every day? When I asked her about it she stared at me like I had two heads and asked if I really thought it was that important. Now fast forward to a new school year and new teacher and it's back to one day a week. This from a school named after a NASA trained American Hero? I have no info yet on the new Principal.
--Submitted by a parent

They really need to utilize "School Loop" Save paper! Oh my goodness how much paper comes home in the weekly shuttles is a complete waste of money. I have another child in Middle school and they use School loop like its going out of style, and I love it! No papers come home & everything is done on this website.
--Submitted by a parent

The pick-up, drop-off situation at this school is insaine. 400+ parents trying to drop off their kids in a five min. window (it specifically states NOT to drop off your kids earlier than 5 min. before school starts because there is no where for your child to go). My kindergartener has been going there for 3 days and I have never experienced something so disorganized. The parking lot is small so I understand there is no parking for parents, however they have most of it blocked off in the am. There is also a back gate and service entrance in the front that is closed off. This could be utilized for drop off as well. I know this is a great school but it worries me that picking up and dropping off my child is this hectic and unorganized. Lets utilize all entrances, it just makes things safer!
--Submitted by a parent

I had so many issues with my sons teacher my son has been diagnosed with ADHD, we tried working with his teacher on routines for my son ( suggested by the principal, his therapist and teacher) and his teacher had 0 tolarance for my son. I got my son a tutor and he is doing much better. I think that schools now a days need to be prepared for kids with learning disabilities instead of trying to ignore the problem.
--Submitted by a parent