Portola Hills Elementary School

My advice is to switch to Valencia or De Portola for GATE/advanced academic curriculum--we did exactly that and have noticed a difference now.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent with two kids at PHE, one of whom is in an SDC class and the other mainstreamed with limited support, we have been thrilled with the curriculum and teacher dedication to it. Having come from a well regarded private school (regular ed), we found that the academic standards were actually much higher at PHE. I was in GATE my whole academic life and never found it to be much of a distinction from what my brother encountered in the regular classroom. My son's class had 28 students and his teacher knew every quirk, strength and area of interest my son had. I was shocked at how much she could recall about everything from his social habits, study skills, areas of weakness, etc. If he needed to work on holding the pencil differently, she knew it. She could recall which letters he most frequently wrote backward, etc. The special ed teacher was the same, and due to IEP standards, had charts of his behavior and perentages of goals achieved, etc. I have been in OC public schools my whole life as a student teacher, student and parent and I cannnot imagine a better school anywhere. I have heard Irvine schools are even more demanding, but unless you want to move, stick with PHE!!
--Submitted by a parent

Not sure why this school get rated what it does..but it goes to show you the ratings are nothing more than numbers...in actuality, the students are not being challenged to their highest potential..there is no development for each child to have growth..its just the standard memorize this and move on. Gate is a joke. Just harder spelling words and more math problems..nothing to challenge the development and intellectual ability of advanced students.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the other parent regarding GATE program at PHE. Even though the school and SVUSD says GATE students at PHE are placed in a GATE cluster class, it is not true. There is no such thing as a GATE cluster class in PHE. GATE students are randomnly placed in all classes so each teacher (GATE or non-GATE teacher) will have few GATE students in their class. So if you can, place your child in a GATE SDC school rather than at PHE. PHE is a great school if your child is non-GATE.
--Submitted by a parent

I was totally disappointed with this school. There was little educational support of my child's cognitive development. In addition, I found that I would spend a vast majority of time teaching basic concepts that my child should have learned within his classroom. I would definitely not recommend this school based on this alone. Education should be supportive of children and allow for the continual development of the child; however this was totally absent from the environment within this school.
--Submitted by a parent

If your child is gifted, consider moving elsewhere outside this attendance area like Valencia Elementary. GATE is running on fumes at PHE and essentially is little more than a label. Class sizes in 2011 are about 30 students per teacher. In fact the SVUSD's entire web site is outdated with information regarding GATE and you really have to push to get information from any of the schools. Expect to get a lot of terse, almost rude replies and the feeling of being a pest.
--Submitted by a parent

Love the School. My daughter loves it and cant wait unitl her little sister will join her at the School!
--Submitted by a parent

They are very organized when it comes to having any school event and there are many fun family activities throughout the year. The teachers have good communication when a child goes from grade to grade they know how to best accommodate for their learning style.
--Submitted by a parent

Love this school, admin, PTA and especially the teachers! I have two kids at PHE, a third grader and a kindergardner. This school not only has great API scores, but very involved parents and an excellent teaching staff. The PTA has helped us to keep our librarian and computer programs, art masters & music, while other SVUSD schools lose these important programs. Class size remins good ~ new kindergarden rooms are fabulous! Classroom size in 3rd grade is really good, they have opened up new rooms and are getting rid of the portables. In my opinion, PHE is as good, if not better, than area private schools!
--Submitted by a parent

Portola Hills continues to strive to be the best they can even when faced with serious state financial deficeits. The community pulls together to insure that our children have a well rounded education including technology training, arts education and community/family events in addition to a challenging curriculum. Portola Hills fosters an environment of high achievement mixed with the fun and adventures of just being a kid!!!
--Submitted by a parent