I have been at the school for the last four years and have volunteered here a lot. I've been able…read moreto see the inner workings of the school inside the classroom and seeing the teachers in their element. The school was just accredited, meaning now 90% of their teachers have degrees , and if they don't, they are working on them. I have a child in middle school and I extremely shocked by the previous review. all the years I've been here I have never seen this school not handle serious situations appropriately. The school is a very good mixture of I believe, democrat and Republican families. Being a democratic family ourselves I have never received any mistreatment or harassment. I think it's important to hear that that from another perspective. I really love the school and would hate for it to get a bad rap because of somebody's bad experience or maybe just being a disgruntled parent. I have experienced this with my own business, when people are upset they say things that are not true out of anger. So I thought it would be good to come here and at least give my perspective.

Here is why I would not enroll my children here: 1) the…read moreschool subscribes to Christian Nationalism, DT, & CK teachings despite having students and teachers of varying racial backgrounds. Students who are not loud DT supporters are automatically labeled as democrats and told that they are "not Christian" and bullied. Bullies (& their families)who commit actual ASSAULT are protected by the leaders- even with police involvement. Maga-ville, USA. 2) Unqualified teaching staff. Many teachers are not credentialed nor have they even graduated from college. They are trained at the affiliated church's "bible college" and allowed to then teach your children! New unqualified teachers (one male specifically) is being harbored at this school despite complaints from parents that he is emotionally abusive to several male students and he also allows the female students to cheat on tests. Big red flag as a mother with a daughter. Ok? This teacher has CK quotes & pictures on his walls. Bible college students live right across the street in the green apartments-right next door to the school. That made me feel Uncomfortable. The church+the bible college+apartments+school= concerning levels of cult-like vibes. 3) Campus- no library, no gym, no green spaces, no cafeteria, no locker rooms. Sketchy stairway. Across from County Jail. Large electrical wires nearby. Underwhelming. 4)Money- be prepared to pay a LOT of $$ constantly. We put down very large non-refundable deposits and then the school Changed their requirements for parent volunteering- with threats of fines for non-compliance. Lunches- we were promised handmade/homemade meals from a school parent but received expensive, mediocre, unhealthy cafeteria food. "Retreat"- you will be charged for a retreat and we were told it would be camping at Forest Home but it was sleeping on the floor in the classroom. Weird & gross. If your kid forgets their P.E. Uniform- you will Be charged $$. Lots of extra charges! Sports, teacher wishlist, fundraisers, etc etc etc. They will nickel & dime you at every juncture. Bottom line- you are better off in public school. You get a better education from credentialed teachers, better campuses/opportunities, there is better accountability for teachers & staff and it's "free". This school is mentally, emotionally, socially and physically unhealthy for kids. This is OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I would not recommend attending here- absolutely no.

I am deeply disturbed by the racist and Islamophobic content being publicly shared online by a…read moreteacher at this school, Anne Lawson Garo. Regardless of someone's personal beliefs, seeing this kind of rhetoric coming from a person entrusted with teaching and caring for elementary-aged children is incredibly concerning. Teachers have tremendous influence over young children, and families should be able to trust that every child in a classroom will be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, or background. The posts I saw raise serious questions for me about whether that standard is being upheld. I sincerely hope the school and district take these concerns seriously and review the publicly posted content. Parents deserve to know that the people educating their children are capable of creating a safe and respectful environment for every student.

Love this school! I came here when I was 3 years old in preschool until 5th grade. The principal…read moreand office staff are so friendly and the school is always clean. The TWI program is amazing and I love Mrs.Quezada I was pretty about my son picking up on Spanish but he method of teaching is great, looking at her with her students you can see she loves her job. My daughter has Mrs. Field and she is amazing she is always trying different ways so every student gets it. I would recommend the school and the TWI program to anybody.

I wanted to share with you an experience that my kiddo and I had with the school's librarian Ms…read more Hamilton Redding. We dropped off two books and picked up one, but the librarian included a second mystery book, with my permission, because she wanted to give my kiddo the opportunity to read another mystery from another author. She didn't have to do this but went above and beyond to research something that she would be interested in and that was near her reading level. Every experience we have had with Ms. Hamilton Redding is meeting a woman with wonderful attitude and joy oozing from her. She does more than just her job, but she encourages my kiddo and takes the extra moment each time we see her. She is a real treasure and is a stellar example for the school!

The "principle",what a joke, of this school shouldn't have such a job. She is rude, mean, and…read moreabuses her power as principle of the school. She personally insulted me when my young child that she KNEW had special needs and was in one of the special education classes there. Well my child had a behavior and she basically made my child and I feel like we were the worst people she had ever dealt with in her career in the school system, that's what she basically told me and I will never ever forget that. Thank goodness I pulled my child out of there when I did.

Great kids and great teachers, the principal is always out for recess joining the campus…read moresupervisors , she is always interacting and helping out with students with anything they may need help with. Overall a great school to recommend!!

They only get a 1 star because the girls in the office keep that place running. They are but…read morelooking for their fourth principal within 3 years. Safety is not a priority. 504 plans DO NOT GET FOLLOWED. If it weren't for the girls in the office, I wouldn't have anything good to say.

If you value your child learning in an environment that fosters a positive and enthusiastic…read moreapproach to learning, while growing up and being taught basic life skills with integrity, kindness, and respect for self and others, then this is the school for you and your child(ren). My son came to Peppermint Junction from an in home daycare to Pre-k. With Ms. Lory's loving and gentle approach, he adapted quickly and loves going to school. He is currently in T-k with Ms. Kelly and he blossomed to be communicative, thoughtful, understanding of what is being asked of him and the expectations. All teachers work incredibly well together and their number one priority is the children, ensuring they are feeling secure mentally, socially, and physically. If you ever have questions about how and why certain things are done, the teachers are more than happy to explain and work collaboratively with the parents. I can't say enough good things about the experiences I have had at Peppermint Junction and the caring staff/owner. I can't put a price on piece of mind knowing that my child is safe and happy while learning. Thank you all at Peppermint Junction for your hard work, you truly make a difference.

I brought my 3 and 5 year old here. My five year old attended for summer camp here and he…read moreabsolutely loved it. He would get upset when I would pick him up early lol. My daughter also enjoyed her time here. I loved that her speech improved while attention peppermint. I felt the establishment was safe and well equipped for my babies. They also had no complaints or code violations when I looked them up so it made me feel at ease. Honestly it was one of the best rated schools in the Oxnard area. I was hesitant as my kids have attended mostly Montessori but after a few weeks I was sure this was a great decision. We unfortunately moved out of the area but if we hadn't our kids would 100% still be going here! Thank you so much Ms. Melanie, Ms. Corrina and Ms. Helen for everything! We will miss you ladies.

If I could I would give 0 start to this place. This is one of the worst schools I have ever…read morevisited. The lady who was supposed to give me a tour was very unprofessional and rude. She was offended that I had some questions to ask. The school itself looks horrible. Tiny and very dark with a very small outdoor place.

Our son loves going to school (well...most days, anyways). The learning environment is really…read morecatered to each child's ability so there's a lot of encouragement both from the teaching staff and from the older students. From math and science (his favorite subjects) to yoga, gardening and sports day - the school really strives to develop the whole child and their place in the world. And the camaraderie that the parents develop is great - the school board really does listen to the parents and it shows in the content of the monthly newsletters as well as some of the projects that we are asked to participate in to spruce up the school grounds. Definitely glad we are a part of this community!

The school is overall the best school ever! I went to Mound and some teachers can be a little much…read moreand hard but it is a good school maybe the principal can be rude and take sides but it is still a great school! I would recommend this school to any children that are going into kindergarten!

I went to mound there are new principals every year the newest principal has not helped with the…read moredrama and been lying so often. there is so much drama and fights but the principal never makes them any better and takes sides.

I left this school after my son attended K-3. They definitely have a principal that is rude to…read moreparents, as stated below. They also have an unfriendly vibe overall and, as stated, the principal comes off as uncaring in many areas yet overzealous with unfounded reprimands. I have never experienced a school with so many issues with infighting amongst the students - including bullying. We gave it our best "go" and they do have engaged, dedicated teachers and staff, but the problems are at the top. The last straw was spring 2019 when a 1st grade parent (and the husband of a Portola teacher) approached my child and his friend over his own child's lost football. He interrogated them, preventing them from getting on their after-care bus; boarded the bus to further interrogate the boys and, after being removed from the bus, followed the bus in his own car to the childcare facility (while filming it out the window with his cell phone) where he entered the childcare facility (totally against their protocol) and was finally prevented from his maniacal stalking escapade when the childcare director intervened. The experience was reported to the principal by the childcare director and myself and was handled ineptly and sans empathy. No one at the school or district level could tell me the student safety policy - I had to dig for it online. I took it next level (Superintendent) but was not heard. In the end, no one was able to tell me why my child was able to be verbally accosted for over 15 minutes - why the poor childcare bus driver had to act alone without school support staff - with a bus-load of children - and why this parent -- who is constantly on school property due to his own job and spouse-affiliation was never asked to sit with the boys and apologize or tell them they are safe and that THEY did the right thing (told the truth- that they did not have his son's football/which was later found) even though HE did not do right by them, or the other children or the young driver who was visibly shaken by the incident. The only person that DID react with professionalism, accurate sensitivity and safety protocol was the childcare director. I wonder if that 1st grade parent knows this director had to call an immediate safety meeting amongst her staff and afterward, a "stranger-danger" meeting with every child under her care that day? Shame on him, shame on the Portola principal and shame on the VUSD staff and management that wouldn't return my calls and couldn't answer basic safety questions about their school. It took them TWO months to call a meeting with me. Happily, we found a new school that has a warm, safe environment and professional, capable- seeming principal and staff-- so far so good!

It's our second year at Portola & we couldn't be more pleased. The principal & teachers we've had…read more(Mrs.Smith & Mrs. Chilcutt) are engaged, caring & fantastic! I've never seen a principal engage with students the way Mr. Ruiz does. We've always felt welcome & part of the Portola family. Koleen the librarian is amazing. She's put on the best book fairs! The office staff are all very nice as well. The PFFO put on some pretty cool events for the kiddos last year. Portola Ninja Warrior is a fun day of fitness for the kids & the end of the year carnival was full of fun games, music & food. We're looking forward to more fun events this year. We're very happy to be part of such a great school.