Ladera Elementary School

It is a great school, but it is the parents that make it great. It is not really the teachers, or the principal, or the PTO. It is a lot of overbearing successful parents that want their kids to succeed. I am confident that any school can be as successful if the parents were as involved as they are at this school. Parents volunteer a lot of their time and spend a lot of time with their kids. We volunteered about 30 school days so far. I spend about 2 hours every day supervising my kids with their homework. It is tedious and the PTO is constantly begging for money, which likewise is tedious. Irvine has very good schools too, but for the same reason, very involved successful parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school for learning, if you can get past the PTO and the over active parents! The awful principal is gone!
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are great! PTO is the best! Beautiful and safe environment!But current principle is terrible! Fortunately he is leaving. Looking forward to the new principle after summer.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to Tustin mid-year and I really worried about my daughters having to transfer but we have had an excellent experience at Ladera. The teachers are fantastic, the quality of education is excellent, the students have been kind, responsible and friendly and the programs that Ladera offers have been top-notch. I couldn't have hoped for a better school for my girls. We're proud to be Leopards!
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and great environment!
—Submitted by a parent

I think Ladera Elementary is an incredible support because of it's great coordiantion and support from the teachers, the administration and the parents. We all work cohevisly together to do what is right for our kids.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of education at Ladera is outstanding! The teachers are topnotch!
—Submitted by a parent

It is an awesome place to learn and grow!
—Submitted by a parent

This school was awful! One of the teachers alienated me and my child to the point of a near mental breakdown and the principle stood behind her lies and deceit the whole time! It was truly a horrible experience and people should know that the reviews here are not reflecting the consensus at all. I know of at least two other people who have posted bad reviews about this school and not one of them is showing up on this board.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in the Special Ed. Pre-school at Ladera. The staff and teacher are wonderful. Although I am not yet able to comment about the kindergarten yet, I will say that the competitive nature of the school is what has drawn me to it. My son seems to be one who will excel in their programs, but I do worry about my daughter. I will keep all posted.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! The school is competitive, as are all Tustin & Irvine schools. We moved into this neighborhood specifically for these reasons. It's a public school with private school curriculm. The teachers are warm and caring, and the principal works very hard to be personal with all the kids. The parent involvement is second to none.
—Submitted by a parent

Ladara prouds itself by its test scores, too bad they dont look at children as what they are, children. If your child isn't an 'A' student-be careful. Somehow this school makes them feel dumb!
—Submitted by a parent

It is obvious that academically wise this school is performing above average, however at the expense of children who learn differently and not at the fast pase that is silently expected by Ladera. There is no support for children who are left behind, they are ignored and wished gone. The principal does not follow through on what he begins. The school does not provide a well rounded enviornment for children to be school aged children.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to Tustin Ranch specifically for the schools. We have not been disappointed. The Principal is hands on and has been great. Academics are great. Our Daughter is reading, writing, adding, subtracting, and even doing some multiplication. We love the rigid structure and applaude this. Lack of structure and discipline are the problems in this world. Keep up the structure and discipline.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and tons of parent support creates a great place for kids to learn!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of 2 children who have gone to LaDera Elementary. Both have been in the Special Education Department. The teachers that I have interacted with have been both professional and accomodating. The facilities are new. Parent participation at this school is very high. There are school wide art classes-ART MASTERS. There are many activities available for students to make a difference at LaDera.
—Submitted by a parent

Academics seem to be paramount, even at the kindergarten level, at the expense of all else with test scores and the resultant funding being goal #1 of the school's culture. While the teaching staff works hard, the curriculum (no child left behind?) leaves little room for experimentation and/or customization for kids who don't fit the 'perfect size 6' academic (read: 'learn by rote') mold of the program. Parent involvement is high. Art, music and sports are practically non-existant.
—Submitted by a parent

Academic programs are very good, although they are lacking in the arts and rarely participate in out-of-school (i.e., city/county) contests and competitions. Paid after school programs are plentiful. Principal leads rigidly by 'book guidelines' due to inexperience. Overall, the teaching staff is committed and well-trained, the school is kept spotless and parent involvement is very high.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school! Great involved principal and teachers. Best API score in the district!
—Submitted by a parent

High quality of academic programs. Excellent API test scores at least 2 years in a row. Art masters, some music and P.E. part of curriculum. High parent involvement in classrooms and PTO.
—Submitted by a parent