Santa Margarita Elementary School

Our daughter has gone to this school since she was in preschool. Most of the teachers are excellent. Mrs. L, Mrs. G, stand out for us. I hope they are paid well. There is one teacher though that we don't care for at all. While I wish I could elaborate I won't. Her last name starts with a W. Now I should clarify: there are two teachers whose last names start with a W. The one I'm referring to does "home schooling" - (yes at school). Not a good teacher in my opinion. Anyway, besides this fly in the ointment, the school is great, has beautiful grounds and we and our daughter love it.
--Submitted by a parent

It's in my town and I'm a retired school nurse and I love kids !
--Submitted by a teacher

Santa Margarita had a rough 2008-2009 school year with the principal being the major downfall. Thank God she has retired and a new prinicipal will be here next year. All of the parents and teachers are excited to have a new principal and look forward to better leadership, decision making and communication! The parents are very involved and love the teachers very much. They just need to repair the wounds the old principal made.
--Submitted by a parent

My two sons are going into the third grade at Santa Margarita Elementary. This is an excellent schools with great teachers and a lot of parent participation. It has a small home town feel and a safe secure campus. I highly recommend this school for K-6.
--Submitted by a parent

My two children have both attended Santa Margarita Elementary over a combined 10 year span. Teachers are happy, work well as a team, and communicate openly and often with parents. Parents are welcome in the classroom, on the playground, and are encouraged to participate in every activity. The campus also houses the District's Home School, as well as a County Special Education class, which has been a great gift to all of our children, in teaching them to be helpful and kind to kids who are different than themselves. There is a tremendous band program offered during the school day, and an outstanding after school drama program. If you are looking for a school with kind people (parents and staff), a family feeling environment, and expectations that your child will succeed both academically and socially, this is a school you will want to look into.
--Submitted by a parent

In my personal experience parental involvement at SMES is always excellant. There are not many schools nowadays that actually have to turn away classroom volunteers because so many people want to help. We are a unique and exceptional school that prides itself on our small town atmosphere and high levels of community involvement.
--Submitted by a parent

Santa Margarita Elementary is a wonderful school with exceptional teaching staff. The school features a strong music program, an oustanding new principal, and a before and after school program to benefit working parents. Across the street from the school is the community park which is a nice meeting place for the students and parents after school. You couldn't ask for a better community. The only thing that needs improvement is parent involvement in the PTA. The meetings don't attract many parents, and those who do attend rarely return for a second meeting.
--Submitted by a parent