Heritage Oak Private Elementary School

My son went to Heritage Oak from 1st-8th grade, graduating in 2006. He was exceptionally prepared for honors and AP classes in high school where he continued to excel in a very rigorous curriculum. He is currently a junior in college on a full academic scholarship. I truly believe that the foundation built at Heritage Oak has led to his success in college.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter attended Heritage Oak since 3rd grade and it helped prepare her for the rigors of the Troy Tech Magnet program in High School. Our son started at Heritage Oak in pre-K and is now in middle school at Heritage Oak. The school does a great job of balancing academics, sports, and arts and the recent addition of orchestra band and strings to their music program has excelled their program even further! Just as important, the school provides a safe environment where discipline is not forgotten and encourages students to do the right thing all the time. The entire staff are great at getting to know all the kids by name! Strong leadership by the executive director...and I still recall the effort she made to personally give us the tour of the school when we were looking for a more challenging program for our daughter!
—Submitted by a parent

Our two children attended Heritage Oak from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Heritage Oak prepared them for a lifetime of superior academic achievement. They both went on to private high schools where they excelled. Our oldest was accepted to all but one of the colleges he applied to and is now in his final year at UCLA with a 3.7 GPA. Our youngest just finished the college application process and was accepted to 13 out of the 14 colleges she applied to (with a waitlist at the last one). She was awarded large merit packages at several private colleges and finally also decided on UCLA after being selected as one of their 32 Alumni Scholar State Finalists. Heritage Oak was one of the best investments we could have made in our children's future.
—Submitted by a parent

2 of our children attended this school and our 3rd child is still enrolled and is entering 7th grade this coming year. All of our children started Heritage Oak in Kindergarten. Our first son went on to Troy in the Tech program and is now entering his 2nd year of college at Cal Poly Pomona School of Engineering. He felt very well prepared for High School in academics and well beyond his peers in terms of his technology experiences at Heritage Oak...both computer equipment maintenance and software applications. Our second son is entering his 3rd year of high school at Valencia Tech. He too feels that he was very well prepared for High school. The debate program at Heritage Oak was really good for him and has better prepared him for public speaking. Our daughter is doing well in school and we feel she will be well prepared for High School too. She plays volleyball for Heritage Oak and they have a GREAT girl's volleyball coach and program!! The school is a real community and parent interaction is encouraged and welcomed. If we had it to do over again, we would make the same decision and our children would attend Heritage Oak.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children who attend Heritage Oak. They are both in the Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten programs. We have been so pleased with every aspect of the school. All staff members are friendly and enthusiastic, the school is extremely academically challenging, they focus on teaching the whole child by incorporating art, music, physical education, and drama into the curriculum. Heritage Oak also has small class sizes and offers foreign languages beginning in Pre-K. Most importantly, our kids are always happy and love going to school!
—Submitted by a parent

My oldest son attended here for a year it is an overpriced school with a fancy name. He is doing much better in public school the academics are not what they claim. Don't waist your money on this school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children that have attended this school. Our oldest will be entering 11th grade and was extremely prepared for High School (Troy Tech). The communications are excellent. Over the years, the school has responded to parents concerns/needs and has adjusted their programs accordingly. The school is small and the children really get to know each other--our younger son's class is extremely close. We came from a public school. The most difficult adjustment was opportunities for interacting with other families. The academics are by far more solid than what we had in public school. The homework load is heavy (especially in the upper grades/middle school). Our younger son struggles more with academics. The teachers have been supportive and have eagerly assisted. The bottom line is that the teachers/staff are extremely caring and want your children to succeed. We LOVE the emphasis on technology. Both our children have become extremely proficient in numerous programs on their laptops. The music program has grown tremendously over the past few years. We would definitely recommend this school to our friends. If you are considering it, arrange a tour and shadow day!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is definitely NOT overpriced! I recently had to move to San Diego for my dads job, but it was really hard to move! The teachers/staff and students are AMAZING and the school has a lot to offer! People may say this school is expensive, but the private school tuitions in San Diego are more than twice the price and offer the same or less. DON'T LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE SAYING THIS IS A BAD SCHOOL!!! I still visit even though I live in San Diego! That is how awesome the teachers and students are!

Great school and great teachers. 6th grade has been a wonderful experience. Both math and language arts are wonderful programs taught be dedicated and caring teachers. Many programs to help make a well rounded child
—Submitted by a parent

My two boys attended summer camp here. There was not enough supervision and a lot of teasing. Would not send them there again.
—Submitted by a parent

We toured the school for our son and were very impressed. Everyone was very friendly and the facilities were fantastic. We are really happy to be part of the school and my son absolutely loves coming to school every day!
—Submitted by a parent

Overall its a good school. They have some excellent teachers (Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Speer, Ms Cheung), and some that are just average. The kids are friendly and happy, but its a very small school, so athletics limited by small size of field and number of electives just okay. However, I think its overpriced for what is offered. Happy with foreign language classes offered, and advanced math courses. Keep parents updated via email and online and teachers accessible if you need to talk with them.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of two children that attend Heritage Oak. Our children have attended Heritage Oak for the past nine years. As a longtime volunteer, I now serve as President of our Parent Teacher Organization. I have more than 40 parent members. Our Parent Teacher Organization meetings are open to all parents and are publicized in the school's weekly e-mails. In my nine years at Heritage Oak, I have never been blocked from being involved in my child's education and have volunteered in many capacities. As a credentialed former teacher, I have always been impressed by the quality of teaching and the many programs this school offers. Susan Abyad, M.A. President, Parents Assistance League Heritage Oak Private Education
—Submitted by a parent

I was not impressed by this school at all. The academics are not nearly to the level they claim. Several of their programs look great until given a closer look. They completely block any effort parents make to get involved with their child's education, and I was never able to verify that their PTO actually existed. The tuition is very high, yet they are constantly hitting you with fundraisers and donation requests. I realize that some private schools don't require credentials, but I was horrified by the lack of education in the teachers I dealt with. I do not recommend going to this school at all.
—Submitted by a parent

My son started Kindergarten at Heritage Oak last year and he is in First Grade now. It is a great school with high quality programs. More importantly, it is a school that TRULY CARES the students, and it is a school that is so POSITVE and PLEASANT. I love sending my son to Heritage Oak every morning because I know he will have a safe and happy day there. As my son has always been a quick learner, I am not worried about his scores. However, he was a little shy. He has improved a lot since he entered Heritage Oak a year ago. He has many friends in school and has a lot of fun. Every child is different -- at Heritage Oak each of them is being loved and helped in the way "right for him/her" and they are growing up to become healthy and positive individuals.
—Submitted by a parent

I am thrilled with the changes that have occured at this school. I have a child in Elementary and preschool. Although the preschool was not great in years past, it is amazing now. The teachers love my child. The preschool director really listens and cares about my opinion and the academics are challenging for my child. The elementary school has always been strong, but more so now. Go meet the people and see for yourself and then you will know why I gave it 5 stars!
—Submitted by a parent

please don't send your child to this school, especially for preschool level. what they said at open house and what i actually see after i enrolled my son are so differnt. i'm deeply disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school is amazing. My son loves going to HOPE, and my husband and I love sending him there. The preschool program is fantastic. The teachers are great with the kids. It really is a school versus just a daycare. The kids learn so much, and they are only 3! The school solicits parent feedback frequently and really seems to take parent ideas to heart. The kids have 'performances' every couple of months, which are the cutest thing! The school is so well rounded, and I feel proud to be a HOPE parent! I even hear that next year they are starting a violin program to expose 1st graders to the violin. Love the focus on the arts and foreign language, too!
—Submitted by a parent

I currently have 2 kids enrolled and have been really pleased with the change in the preschool/early levels Director for about 2 years now. She is more in touch with updating the curriculum and has implemented new approaches to learning that other schools have been doing for years. The character education is top notch - something you won't see much in public schools in the area especially with all the cuts in funding. If you want a smaller environment for your young children where you can have direct access to administration easily and can connect with the teachers frequently, as I do, this is school for you.
—Submitted by a parent

I decided to send my children to the school because of their philosophy. The children, teachers and staff not only focus on challenging academics, but on good old fashioned manners and quality character traits. The teachers go above and beyond to communicate and keep me informed at all times. This year there was a transition in Elementary Directors. I was hesitant at first, but I couldn't be more pleased. Both the Middle School and Elemenatry Director are caring and professional. I always thought the school was great, but it continues to get better.
—Submitted by a parent