Rancho Minerva Middle School

Love, Love this school. This is our first year and I could not be happier. I adore Mrs. Borah and Mr. Prieto. The teachers are terrific! This school gets a bad rap. I was not going to attend either due to demographics and test scores but was willing to try the school we are closes to. You will not be disappointed if you come to our campus. The principal is always around and willing to talk to any parent that has questions. Very, Very happy.
—Submitted by a parent

Rancho Minerva is a hidden gem. My child attended Madison for one year, and now Rancho Minerva. In my experience, the "bad influences" are significantlly fewer at Rancho Minerva, the classes are smaller leading to greater teacher involvement with individual students, and best of all, the teachers are excellent. My child is noticed, respected, and rewarded for being a contributor at Rancho Minerva, as opposed to being ignored and underserved at over-crowded Madison. Different schools fit different children in different ways. Rancho Minerva fits my family's needs extremely well. Do your own research and decide.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a horrid school. the test scores are low and they pass by so many students who should be held back. The gang population frightens my student in vista. We moved him out of this school this year to a better rated school. We hope this will help!
—Submitted by a parent

Test scores are one way of measuring a student and/or a school, but the results you come up with are all about how you look at things. When you look at the white population, you can see that the scores are as high, if not higher than other comparable middle schools. when you look at the other groups., you can see that this school is achieving incomparable gains. This is an indicator of great teachers and administrators doing an outstanding job oe educating a wide range of students who EACH deserve a quality education.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children that have attended this school. I have found the teachers and administrators of this school to be professional, enthusiastic, kind, & concerned about each student. My children have both done very well on their test scores and have benefitted from all this school has to offer.
—Submitted by a parent

the school has very educated teachers and the students want to go to school
—Submitted by a parent

this is a very good school to go to. i know almost all the teachers there and they care about their students. the person who said don't send your kids to that school doesn't know what they are talking about. one of the reasons this school has low scores is because they have a high population of special ed kids. and that shouldn't be held against them. they also try to make learning interesting for the student. i know for a fact they have a Greek week where they hols a academic Olympics on Greece and when they can do it they hold a medieval thing for the people studying the middle ages. yes they do have a lot of minorities but that doesn't mean the teaching is bad or that its a bad school to go to. people should be excited to send their kids to this school.

My daughter is in her 1st year at Rancho and at 1st I was really hesitant to send her there..but she loves it!!! I met a few of her teachers at back to school and they were great! So much information was given to me and i like that they email and keep the parents informed of how there child is doing..
—Submitted by a parent

How the rumors about this school get started and perpetuated are a source of amazement and at this point, humor to me. My child has been at Rancho Minerva since it opened and yes, she is white and scores very high on all the tests. I take very little stock in any of these standardized tests. What do they really measure? As far as remedial students being catered to, what I've seen is every child being challenged. Honors classes are offered, as well as tutoring for those in need. It is a beautiful campus, with dedicated staff and administrators and we like our school just as it is. My child isn't even aware she's in the minority. She is truly color-blind, making her wiser and better educated and informed than most Vista residents.
—Submitted by a parent

If you care about your child education I would really consider another school. This school tests way below the benchmark standard for california criteria. Its mostly a minority school and english is the second language. They cater to remdial classes and providing support classes to students in need. Those that dont need those classes get left behind. The school gets very low funding because of the low test scores and cant even afford a school marquee!! You only get one time to give your child the best education possible. In a second rate middle school that wont happen and they wont be properly prepared for high school. dI recommend that you do your homework first on this school before you consider letting your child attend here.
—Submitted by a parent

Best school ever! way better than madison middle school! we rock at everything! go bulls!
—Submitted by a student

This school is great. It has a great AVID and Honors program. AVID has helped me during tutoring. It also helped me earn a 4.00 this whole year.
—Submitted by a student

This school's administration was less than quick to respond to the concerns of the students.
—Submitted by a former student

good school...many students are second language learners
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent teachers,great music program,strong parental involvement!
—Submitted by a teacher

I am concerned about 'youth gangs' inside the school or should I say 'bullies' whatever the case may be it is detrimental to the safety issue that should be enforced... My child has experienced several 'bullies' during his school year here.
—Submitted by a parent

I have found the Gate and Honors programs to be great. The regular classes are lacking. I have had two children go throught Lincoln. The GATE/Honors student doing very well. My average student is struggling in high school. As long as the advanced programs are offered, I would attend this school. If they drop them, I won't even consider it for my third child. My children like most of their teachers and love the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Over all, for the area, this school works hard to be the best it can be.
—Submitted by a teacher