Cambridge Elementary School

After sending my kids to Private school then to Villa Park (because its so great), we are excited to give Cambridge a try. We have spoken to community members, teachers from other schools as well a parents and we think Cambridge will be a great choice. We believe it all comes down to parent involvement. As for now, the staff seems great.
—Submitted by a parent

I find it so interesting that one school could have such high and then such low ratings. My experience at the school has been wonderful. Of course the school isn't perfect, but every concern I have brought up with teachers and/or administrators have been taken seriously and addressed in a timely manner. I have never felt like the school caters to non-english speakers. All important papers are sent home in both spanish and english but doing what it takes to help all parents get involved in their child's education does not bother me one bit. And for what it's worth, I've NEVER seen anything come home just in spanish. Where this school is lacking is in parent involvement. But you can't blame the school for that. I think the families who are the happiest at Cambridge are those who roll up their sleeves and decide to get involved, making the school a better place for all the kids and helping solve problems with the public education system instead of waiting for someone else to do it.
—Submitted by a parent

Not pleased at all. It seems that they cater more to children who can't speak English and do not offer any REAL help to the ones who ask for it. My children attended this school and there is a handful of good teachers but majority need to retire or find a more suitable career. There is no room for creativity or exploration here. If your child has passion or a creative mind beware.....Dream killers. It is unfortunate that the teachers who do make a difference are not recognized. I feel there is a lot of lazy staff here that are just there for a paycheck. This is not a school I would recommend. It is truly not a place for a young mind.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent teachers, we are very happy to have our son attend Cambridge. Wonderful community. Needs more parents to step up and help support this school and voice their suggestions to the administrators.

We moved to Old Towne Orange two years ago, and while we love the area, the awful school is the reason we are moving back to North Tustin. Our children's teachers have been fine, but clearly overworked. All communications are in both Spanish and English. When you go to Back to School Night, you sit and listen to one line of English, then the translation in Spanish. I have no problem with presentations in Spanish - but don't make me sit through them. The same goes for newsletters, etc. I can't tell you how many times only the Spanish version of some important paper was sent home. Parent participation is extremely low. The first Back to School Night we attended, we were the ONLY ones in my son's class, and only one of 8 parents for our daughter. Education is not a priority - the students face too many outside challenges.
—Submitted by a parent

Even though no one in our immediate neighborhood attends this school, we decided we wanted to give our local school a chance. We have been nothing but pleased at the education our daughter has received there. The teachers are amazing, the staff is approachable and it is full of parents who really care about their children and still believe in the public school system. It is a great school to be a part of. Be wary of all the rhetoric about public schools. Visit Cambridge and then decide for yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

My son graduated from 6th grade last year. He was at Cambridge since kindergarten. He is very well rounded and has excelled in everything. One of his teacher's even went out of her way to go to his football games on Saturday's. He visit's her frequently and she has helped him become a great kid!!
—Submitted by a parent

Having taught at this school, I would recommend it to all parents. Within each grade level I have worked with dedicated, creative and kind educators. The students thrive in the inviting and academically rigorous environment. The principal has high expectations and goals for all. This creates a school culture motivated to achieve great things while being a positive influence in the lives of children. It's a great school!
—Submitted by a teacher

Very nice school. Great programs. My son learned a lot at this school. His assignments were challenging and he stuck to it.
—Submitted by a parent

Cambridge is truly a 'hometown' school. My children, husband and I feel so comfortable and at ease with the staff, children and other parents. They all seem to really care for and are attentive to all the needs of every child.I know I can send my children to school in a safe, well-rounded, culturally diverse atmosphere and all just around the corner in Old Town Orange.
—Submitted by A Proud Cambridge Parent, a parent

This has been the best SDC 1-3 class that I have seen in Orange Unified!The staff is extremely qualified in helping the children to learn and excel in all areas possible.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are friendly and are knowledgable of curriculum. The programs used are up to date and are effective. Student behavior and dicipline is outstanding.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have two children attending Cambridge right now and my oldest daughter who is now 17 attended Cambridge as well. My overall impression of this school is that the involvement between the school administrators and parents in helping students receive quality education goes beyond words. I have heard several negative comments about this school, but I think that those comments are prejudice and not factual. I am proud that all 3 of my children have been/are students at Cambridge and no matter what anybody says I will always have a positive perspective of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a pretty good school. The overall test scores on this site doesn't serve this school justice. My son was sent here from another school for problems that he had with a bully. At the previous school his grades were on a decline. We were constantly being called by his teacher or Vice-Principal for his behavior. At Cambridge, we noticed a major improvement in his behavior within just a few weeks. He loves going to school again and is at the top of his class. This school seems like a school that maybe on a turn-around for the better. The reason I say this is because I had a chance to get the 411 on the test scores, curriculums, etc. at the Parent/Teacher conferences. The staff working in overdrive to improve this school. Everyone's getting involved. The principal seems pretty new, but he is fair, and willing to make this school a superb learning institution. The PTA has it's usual events, but this time, they too are in on the cause as well to improve the school in a large way. Also, how many schools out there have a Father's Club? PTA has usually been a mom-dominated organization. Now there's an organization for dads. It's a new program at Cambridge(introduced by the principal this year) to get fathers more involved in the school as well. I am a member of the Father's Club. Our goal is to make our school the best it can be from doing a bit of landscaping and carpentry, to occasionally helping at PTA events and to improving the classrooms. Annually, the Father's Club will be having a camp out for the kids. We just had our first one the third weekend in June and it was a success!!!! I've never seen so many people doing their part to improve one school. That alone is worth bringing your child to this school. If you need more convincing, consider that this is probably one of the most devoted staffs you'll ever see at any school. They keep you informed on the school and go beyond their limits to make sure that our children are taught correctly and in a respectful manner. This school has made me rethink my opinion of public schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, this is not a bad school. I have two kids attending this school, with one more on its way. They the staff, have showed us nothing but respect. My wife is very involved, with the school,and that is the important part. You have to be involved, and help out. The pricipal is fairly new, but give him some time, he's pretty good and fair. This school showed me, what good people are all about, with the help and support, when my wife was sick, and in and out of the hospital. Something I will never forget. I encourage parent to enroll their kids, in this school. They will receive a good education. Thank you Cambridge !
—Submitted by a parent

Challenged by the many non-english speaking students and parents, a parent must be very proactive to maintain a high level of academic expectation for their student.

We have one child who has been at Cambridge for several years and we are completely dissatisfied with the professionalism of the staff. They seem nice to our faces, but when we talk to our child about the way he is treated, he tells a different story about how they treat him, especially the tones of voices and what they say to his face. Our child got a citation for fighting back against a bully who was physically pushing him for several days. Our child didn't fight back physically, but made a comment that wasn't the best thing to say, but he felt he had no other options. The bully got no punishment and the excuse given to us was, as usual, 'Kids will be kids and your child is too sensitive. He needs to learn to take it.' We do not want to teach our child to be unsensitive to things that make him unhappy but unfortunately, this school is trying to do just that. I would not recommend anyone voluntarily sending their child here in open enrollment. The staff is young and high on their horses... I think maybe they like the feeling of power and the best way to get it is to have power over children.