Tustin Memorial Elementary School

School is a good school, but I am not happy with some of the teachers attitude. They forget that they are there to help students. Anyone can take care of a good student but controlling the student who is over active in class, depends mostly on teacher, we can only ask our child to behave well in class everyday, but utimately its in class when surround by classmates her behavious changes so the teacher has to find method to refine her, not just blame the parents for everything and not trying enough herself.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school that demands a high level of parent involvement - which is what results in a great school. The Club 365 program was put in place to bypass the endless fundraising and I support it wholeheartedly. I would so much rather just write a check that goes in full to the school over bothering friends and family to purchase something they don't need and then having only a small portion of that money make it back to the schools. The state issues are very upsetting, but TMA is doing all it can to keep the programs that enrich our children in a broad and critical way. The all GATE classes are wonderful as well. Thanks TMA!
--Submitted by a parent

TMA is an excellent school--a private education experience from a public school is hard to find. The staff is highly experienced and the new principal is bringing about some much-needed change. The waiting list to get in is long but well worth the wait. We are very pleased with all aspects of the school.
--Submitted by a parent

We've gone through some changes at this school over the years. This year, we have a new principal who comes from another respected school in the disctrict, and she seems very articulate and energetic. We are also trying a new fundraising model where we are asking families to contribute a fixed dollar amount at the start of the school year to minimize other fundraiser activities like cookie dough, gift wrap etc. Previous posts talk about the never-ending requests for money, and the school listened. Some people still don't understand that the state does not pay for "extras" like PE, art and music -- it it only through the support of TMA parents that these things are even possible. But it's getting too crowded. We are at capacity with just over 700 students, 34 kids in my son's class!
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with both reviewers from Sept 09. The fundraising is plentiful and agressive, but yeah we are in a budget crisis and we all try to do the best for the kids. Its true if you are unemplyed or have financial troubles I'm sure it can be stressful but one can contribute in other ways. At the end, wether you give all your time and money or just time to the school or just your child, this is a great environment for children's learning. The kids really get a great start and thats a common thing I've noticed with all the parents (the parents that are always at the school and the parents that aren') everyone wants the best for their kids. Its an awesome thing to see at this school. Across cultures, socio economic, etc, having thier kids do well at a good school is all our goals.
--Submitted by a parent

TMA is a great school, starting from K -they are doing homework M-TH and they offer a lot more involvement than most schools in the area, creating a total learning environment that kids take to junior high. One thing to consider is the time involved and money involved ( I'm sure unemplyed parents are shocked with the amt of fundraising letters coming at them) as well as the parent environment. The time is considerable, being 'hit up' constantly with fundraising opportunities ( I don't mind, we're in budget crisis) and many moms or dads do not seem to work outside the home, and if they do, I do not know how they can keep up with all the short notice and several things that they have to do at the school. Thru the yrs,I've never minded, but one should be aware of the reality before considering it for their tyke.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at TMA for 3 years, from kinder---2nd grade. This is an excellent school. The teachers are very kind and nice. The principal is very involved. My daughter was not able to read at all in first grade and by 2nd grade she's reading chapter's books. My daughter is happy and doing excellent now. Thanks TMA :)
--Submitted by a parent

We have had children at TMA since 2001. It is still a great school and probably the best available in Tustin, Tustin Ranch, and Irvine north of the 5 Freeway. Test results are probably the only 'measurable' part of the school's continued excellence. TMA kids have great academic success when moving on the 6th grade at Pioneer.
--Submitted by a parent

We started last year in Kindergarten and are very happy with the performance. The teacher we had surpassed our expectations and we can't wait to start 1st grade. Yes, parental involvement is required but that is a pleasure since it keeps us in touch with our child's world at school. We look forward to many more years at TMA!
--Submitted by a parent

Tustin Memorial Academy is an excellent school and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Comparing my experience to another neighborhood school that we attended, Tustin Memorial Academy's quality and standard by far exceeds it. We found the families and staff very friendly and open, not at all cliquish as some of the other reviewers felt. The teachers seem to go above and beyond for the kids. The school has a ton of extra educational programs for the kids like their Art Masters Program (they teach about an artist like Monet), the John Yeiser Music Program, and the Composer Countdown Program (they teach about a composer and listen to the music, like Bach). I love these extra bonuses on top of the regular curriculum. They do require some parental involvement but it's easy to find a way to get involved and the communication b/w school and families is great.
--Submitted by a parent