Santa Margarita Elementary School

Excellent school, for being overcrowded at the new campus they handle things well. The teachers are all great, and genuinely care for the kids. My son has gone there from Kindergarden to 5th grade, and my daughter has from K-2 so far. I have had nothing but positive things to say about the teachers and staff. I wish I weren't moving this summer- I would love for my daughter to finish elementary there as well. The only things that are lacking are an arts/drama program (not the school's fault- California's budget is to blame), the music program could be more extensive (again- not the school's fault), and the class sizes could be smaller (the trend continues- not the school's fault).
—Submitted by a parent

My kids have been going to this school since November. The first couple of months I liked the school and was very surprised at how great they were with some of my daughters learning disabilities. However, now that it is May I am completely unsatisfied for a number of reasons! The lack of control that I have seen in both childrens classrooms makes me very sad. We had an incident on the bus and I went in to talk to the school about it they were very helpful up until another parent walked in behind me -they couldn't get me out of there fast enough! They have a very poor system set up for communicating with the parents on different things that are going on in the school - for example when is backwards day or Western day...these are days that my kids get very upset if they are left out of. There had also been a few days that I had no idea that it was a half day and luckily found out from other parents. I am now picking my kids up from school and they have somehow let my daughter get on the bus twice in a row now!! I also do not feel confident that if I were ever a few mintues late to pick them up that they would be supervised.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter has attended Santa Margarita for the past 2 years and we are extremely pleased with her education so far and she is either at the same level or ahead of family and friends who live in various areas around the country. We love that the school is in tune with military kids sometimes unique needs and the communication between parents, teachers, and the school has been wonderful. Overall we are happy with Santa Margarita and are excited that we get to continue here for the next few years.
—Submitted by a parent

I read good reviews about this school before we moved here. My daughter spent her entire 4th grade year here repeating what she had already learned in 2nd and 3rd grade in VA. This is true in Science, History, and Math....especially math. She was multiplying and dividing like a pro in 3rd grade in VA, even scoring a perfect 600 on the end of the year state exam. Here Everyday Math has her regressing to the extreme. She is now rusty in a subject she mastered before. The GATE program is good. And, that is about it. If I could take the GATE program back with us to the East coast, that would be great. Otherwise, we will have to work with her quite a bit in the summer before we move back to another state. It is really sad when a honor roll/gifted student is in this position.
—Submitted by a parent

I wish Parents other then Kindergarten ones would write on here. Seriously I've seen a huge change in this school within a year! Not pleased at all!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is just about to finish Kindergarten at Santa Margarita (which is not the school that we originally hoped she would attend) and she has progressed more than we could have ever expected. She is reading, telling time, doing simple multiplying and dividing, and her handwriting has improved leaps and bounds. During this school year my husband was deployed and her teacher and the whole staff were wonderfu in making sure that everything was going well and that she was keeping her spirits up. The are all very caring. Ms. Kurtz took the time to write a small note on each of their report cards and I think that goes above and beyond what she has to do. I am extremely pleased with this school and hope that we are able to continue here for awhile.
—Submitted by a parent

Unlike the last posting, we think Ms. Kurtz is an awesome principal. She is often outside as the kids get on the buses and she works hard to know every child's name. All of the teachers I have talked to at the school love working for Ms. Kurtz and many have followed her to this school from other Oceanside schools. We have been here three years and have loved every teacher my two kids have had. It is a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

Terrible School. They do not inforce the no tolerance policy that they claim. My son, along with other children, and their families have suffered under Pat Kurtz lack of caring. I hope that no other child will have to go through what our children have gone through at this school. The only one that cared was his teacher. The teachers are great, but if something happens to your child, be ready for a battle. Several families had to pull their kids from this school because of bullying, and sometimes worse. Terrible, horrible experience.
—Submitted by a parent

great principle, great teachers and a safe and fun learning environment
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful, caring school nestled in the small community of Camp Pendleton. The teachers and administration are aware of the special circumstances a child faces when they move often or a parent deploys. As a former public school teacher, I give this school high marks. My son had an amazing year and I am thankful to his teacher and the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has a learning disability and he is in the special Preschool program at Santa Margarita. I was a little concerned about the base schools but my son's teacher, Ms. Leathers, is just awesome. My son looks forward to school everyday and gets upset on days there is no school. Ms. Leathers and her aides have been very understanding with my son and he has made so much progress. Sadly he will have to attend a different school next year, but I know because of Ms. Leathers my little boy has a new outlook, he doesn't get as frustrated about things, he's able to communicate things... and I know that's partly because of his school environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful staff, Fantastic principal ( Frank Gomez)great kids. We had a wonderful experience at this school. Other schools should take a lesson.
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but great things to say about SME. The principal, Pat Kurtz is very open with parents and is there if a parent has a concern or question. I have found that my sons 2nd grade teacher, Kathi SwartzHo has give so much of her time helping him at school and us at home that I see such a improvement in his esteem and learning. He has a learning disability and ADHD that we didn't know where to get help to help him. SME did everything to help us so we could help him. Top rate elementary school.
—Submitted by a parent

In the 4 years of my daughters atandance at this school I was vefry involved with the teachers and office staff by participating in their rolling readers club, school site council, PTO, among other volunteering hours in the office and library. The teachers, student and staff are very fiendly, knowledgeable of the curriculum in which they are instructiong as well as compassionate to the childrens needs which is very important being that they are located on a Marine Base in which the movement rate is very high. I would highly reccommend this school, they are a california distinguished school with scores in the 800s for the star testing and were nominated and awarded the National Blue Ribbon.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school, staff, students and teachers..I cannot say enough about this school, Mr Gomez was the best principal this school has ever had or will ever have...We will miss him!!
—Submitted by a parent

Quality school that has the quality teachers necessary for elementary school devlepoment. Three of my children have attended this school over the past 13 years. The teachers and staff rank are the most prepared and interested in child develment than in any of the five other school systems my children have attended, including highly acredited international schools. Parent involvement is good considering the military community and high deployment rate of most parents. Extracurricular activities are available through other schools in the district. This can be difficult for children to attend but it is understandable considering the school is small and isolated aboard Camp Pendleton. This school is one substantial benefit of living aboard Camp Pendleton.
—Submitted by a parent

Santa Margarita is the best school that I have been involved with. Mr. Gomez and all of his teachers are a wonderful inviroment to have children learning in.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has a strong academic background and really tries to offer the pupils fun and educational projects. The staff truely try and maintain a close relationship with all families even with the high military turnover rate.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Santa Margarita. My son, a kindergartener, has had a great year and has learned so much! His teacher Mrs. Anderson is wonderful and a great addition to the school. The principal has more involvement with the students than I've ever known anywhere else. This school is great, and I'm glad my son got the chance to attend. We look forward to 1st grade!
—Submitted by Kari Berry, a parent

Excellent teachers and staff. Consistently ranked as one of the top schools in San Diego County and the state of California.
—Submitted by a parent