Heritage Oak Private Elementary School

My son will be going in to the third grade next week. He excelled in second grade. He learned the states and capitals (something his public school friends in 4th grade were just learning!) Parents are encouraged to be part of their child's education. There was an open line of communication with his second grade teacher. The academics are challenging. The extra-curricular activities are numerous. My son continues to excel academically, socially, physically, emotionally. I highly recommend this school to any parent who wants his/her child to flourish.
—Submitted by Susan Paulsin, a parent

I am so happy that we decided to enroll our son in this school last year. The teachers are very loving and they make sure that each child is challenged and interested in school. The teachers are great about communicating with parents using email, phone calls, and face to face meetings. I've never had a bad experience with a teacher or an administrator and I feel very welcome when I'm on campus.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family had been part of two other private schools before coming to HOPE. In the past year, we've watched our son excel both academically and socially due to the work of the excellent teachers at HOPE. We've felt welcome as a family and, more importantly, our son has made wonderful friends and gained excellent role models. We are happy to say that we've completed our search for the 'perfect' private school.
—Submitted by a parent

Okay private school. Parent involvement is discouraged and low compared to other private schools, their is no independent parent board or PTA. They claim they are ahead in math but are not. Saxon is a very antiquated. Tend to favor parents and children who donate services and a lot of money. Very click oriented school. If you are not in the 'in crowd' your child will be discriminated against. Very poor communication. The Director has no accountability blames everything on parents and children and never thinks it could be her or the teachers. The 5th and4th grade teachers are awful. Sports are terrible. Language and reading program are terrible. Summer reading was a joke! Books are below grade level considering we are suppose to be superior!
—Submitted by a parent

Heritage has been the greatest change we have made for our daughter. She was previously at Friends Christian and has benefited greatly from the enhanced academic and whole child approach.
—Submitted by a parent

Quality of programs as well as availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities is not what you would expect for the amount of money you pay and parental involvement is discouraged unless it comes in the form of a donation, contribution or service free of charge. The school at many times seemed to be understaffed to appropriately care for the number of younger children there.
—Submitted by a parent

The campus of this school is impressive and I had no particular issue with the academic program. Music, art, sports and other activities were available but with high fees. I removed my child from this school after repeatedly observing my child as well as other children in unsafe and unsupervised situations. Administration handled my concerns in an unprofessional and inappropriate manner. Also, I felt that parental involvement was discouraged at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I only experienced one year of preschool at HOPE. The teachers were very loving towards the children;however,I found the expectations from parents to be rigid and inflexible. Having older children attending other schools, flexibility is a must. I did not think that administrators took the time to know me by name (maybe this is emphasized with families having older children at the school). Good manners and respect are important,but they do not outweigh the need for love, compassion and 'thinking outside the box'. Because of the academic reputation, I wrestled with keeping my child at HOPE at least through Pre-K. When I found that I could not with conviction say, 'I love this school' for the price of the education, I decided to move on.
—Submitted by a parent

We find the school extremely rigid. They school simply takes the spirit out of the child!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been at H.O.P.E. since pre-school. He has learned to be respectful and polite. The academics are outstanding. The 'Arts' i.e. music program, art class, full-on stage productions have only added to the well-rounded education my son is receiving. There are a variety of extracurricular activities to meet the interests of most, if not all, of the students. My kid loves 'Chess Masters' and 'Rock Wall Climbing'! Communication between teachers and parents is always open. I am involved in my son's education. The teachers encourage and want this. I can only hope that there will be a 'H.O.P.E.' High School when my son graduates from 8th grade! I sign my name proudly...Susan Paulsin
—Submitted by Susan Paulsin, a parent

Our children have both been at HOPE since preschool. We couldn't be happier with the feeling of warmth and family spirit. Yes, they focus on manners and acceptable behavior. The point of school is to prepare our children for life beyond the classroom. Our family feels that manners and appropriate behavior are very important. We don't find the school to be overly ridgid. It is a warm family environment that reinforces good behavior and teaches children to be the good people that we as parents hope for. Academically the program is second to none. I am thrilled that my children will come out of HOPE fully prepared for college-prep. My children love the sports programs as well. Additionally they were thrilled when we were in Paris recently and they were able to speak and understand the language. Our family loves the school and what they have done for our children.
—Submitted by a parent

Very High Turn Over of Teachers! Just ask how many teachers left Heritage Oak in last five years!
—Submitted by a teacher

this school is extremely rigid. if you want your child to have stomach aches from being put down and having too much stress put upon them, then this is the school for you. children are also very rude to one another and bully other children around.
—Submitted by a former student

Heritage Oak provides and excellent academic programs. Extracurricular activities are great for K-3, but I would like to see more music/band programs for kids 4th grade and beyond (there are none). Behavior is stressed a great deal at this school, and I personally they can be a bit nitpicky at times, but overall, the students are very polite and well-mannered.
—Submitted by a parent

I would definitely not send my children there This school tries to mold your child into what they want them to be. This school is money hungry. Must say though the academic part is great.
—Submitted by a teacher

The quality of academic programs is exquisite, especially if you have done your comparisons to surrounding public in the area.
—Submitted by Tiffany Melendez, a parent

The quality of academic programs is outstanding in my experience, and it is a traditional education where the children are actually learning. Imagine! None of the political agenda found in the public arena, no experimental education (remember the 'whole language' reading experiment?) Just a proven method of learning in a postive environment. Overall, a wonderful learning and social experience. Well worth the money.
—Submitted by a parent

After experiencing a Carden Curriculum with my children at their prior school, I decided to choose Heritage Oak when my family moved to Yorba Linda. After the first week they were there I had second thoughts. I stuck it out for 1 year and found it to be simply not up to par.
—Submitted by a parent

Heritage Oak is an awesome school! Great teachers, great curriculum, great parent-teacher communication, great extra-curricular opportunities. Two thumbs way up!
—Submitted by a parent

My son attented Heritage Oak for 3 years. I found it a school that offered many opprotunities but was very rigid at the same time. If a student was not excelling it seems he was more chastized than encouraged. The students were outwardly polite but behind the scenes a lot of bullying went on and nothing was done. The school did not encourage parents to be involved in the classroom.
—Submitted by a parent