My daughter started OCASA kindergarten at the beginning of this year. She went to a small pre…read moreschool for 2.5 years and we really struggled with the decision to send her to a public school. We wanted to send her to a small private school as she is very shy and sensitive and we feared her getting lost or bullied in a larger school environment. My daughter LOVES this school. She looks forward to going everyday, loves wearing her uniform and clearly feels like she's part of a school family. She is thriving and learning so much. She has an AMAZING teacher and aide that clearly love her and all the kids in her class. She's been on at least 5 field trips and she comes home spouting interesting facts about so many things. She can count to 15 in Spanish and knows all her letters, numbers, and is starting to read. She's doing addition, subtraction and knows amazing facts about our past Presidents, History and the Solar System. She walks around singing "The Grand Old Flag" and knows the entire songs lyrics by heart along with many others. Not all schools are for everyone, and we definitely had our concerns about OCASA after seeing some negative reviews on line. After almost a year we now feel like we hit the jackpot and got into something great on the ground floor. All school have growing pains especially a school that's brand new, but we believe that for our child its been the right choice. If you want a perfect, predictable, typical school environment OCASA might not be for you. But if you want a growing and thriving environment for your child to learn, explore and thrive in new and different ways....I would suggest you check this school out and give it a chance.

After writing a 2 star review on this school based on my true and honest experience, I get a very…read moredisturbing phone call from their director Kapil M. He wanted me take down my review. He accused me of bullying his school with my Yelp Review. I am just telling the truth. Please look at my previous reviews where I gave them 4 star. I had all the excitement and hopes at this school and was shattered after realizing the lies that were fed to us. Right now I am enrolled at our school district. My intention for coming her and our attraction for attending this school is because my son loves science!!! After seeing how he replied on my review, it is a lie that they hired staff. They state that they hired staff...Nope staff was not hired and that's the reason why they couldn't give me an exact start date. When they sent their psychologist to my transitional IEP meeting, their representative flatly told my IEP team at my district that they will not be able to provide services at the level they are providing. My IEP is also recorded and was disclosed before the meeting started. All members in that meeting is 100% aware that they are being recorded. When a public charter school makes promises that they will fulfill services like a public school district, and at a recorded IEP meeting they say they will not??? It really questions the accountability and the process for kids with IEP. Sounds like they cherry pick, which special kids they will have enrolled. Or maybe we are sounding like a business.... Because Mr.Kapil told me take my review down because it is ruining his school reputation. Sir, it's a public school and this is my experience with the admission process... Yes, they have all the field trips to make their school look great and all the extra activities. How about accountability? Teacher experience? Ask the how they deal or prevent with bullying? You will notice they tend to dodge the question. When I asked about the teachers, I am told that they had alot of applicants that applied so therefore they have teachers that want to teach and they highlight that they get county retirement and benefits. But they don't tell you the experiences of their teachers. They look really young, which is fun and great but I think having experienced teachers at a school is also very important. Bullying question... They answer by telling us they hired private investigators and no bullying was done. So how about the prevention? If you go to other review sites, you will see accusations of bullying in this school. Overall the idea presented at this school is amazing! STEM based. Lots of activities. Large member of the PTA, which alot of them are their own employees. ;) Alot of attraction to come to this school and that is why we applied. Go to your local school district. Ask the question of STEM and activities before jumping to come here. There are many charter schools to choose from here in South OC such as Journey, Community Roots, Oxford. How are they run? How are they accounted for financially? Money laundering is very common for people who run charter schools. Do your homework? See what best fits your family. Unfortunately this school wasn't a good fit. And sadly we had promises that were made but on the record during the transitional IEP meeting with the school district, it was very clear, they will not provide the services....

We have been at CRA for 3 years and absolutely love this school. With degrees in Sociology and…read moreChild Development I did a ton of research into all our local school options because it was very important we found the right fit for our family (and not just settle for a default school). CRA is a perfect blend of a small tight knit parent/admin community, project based learning which helps kids gain real life skills, and a gorgeous campus - all for "free"! We started at Community Seedlings Preschool (which I also highly recommend) and made a seamless transition to CRA for Kindergarten. I have been especially grateful to have my 2nd grader here during the pandemic. They took swift action to keep our kids safe but didn't make rash decisions without thoroughly thinking them through. As a result I've felt very confident allowing my son to be on campus basically all year aside from only a few closures. They have been transparent about efforts to keep children safe with mask requirements, hand washing, distancing, school-wide sanitation, and more. I encourage others to take negative reviews with a LARGE grain of salt. One individual's experience does not mean the entire school is bad. Look into it yourself and keep an open mind :)

My daughter has been going to this school for six years now and we love it! Wonderful teachers…read more(especially her group of sixth-grade middle school teachers this year!) and the project-based learning model is perfect for her. Highly recommend.

Like many parents, I read the reviews before enrolling my son at St. Anne's, and I'll admit, I was…read morehesitant. Some of the concerns raised gave me pause. But as we near the end of our third year (currently finishing 4th grade), I feel compelled to share our experience because I'm genuinely glad we chose this school. No school is perfect, and yes, we've had our challenges here and there. But overall, St. Anne's does an outstanding job across many levels. My son is not only thriving academically, he's also genuinely happy. The school strikes a wonderful balance between being firm and structured, while maintaining a warm, positive environment where kids are encouraged and challenged to grow. One of the highlights for us has been the next-level extracurricular offerings and the way St. Anne's integrates experiential learning in every grade level. These hands-on experiences really resonate with the kids and make learning more fun and meaningful. Our first year was a bit rocky, while St. Anne's is a private school and doesn't follow public school IEP protocols, the principal at the time (Mrs. Bournazian) went above and beyond to work with his teacher and me to put support systems in place to help him suceed. When she became Head of School, I was a little nervous that our dynamic might shift, but the transition has been seamless and honestly, the school has continued to flourish under her leadership. We still feel incredibly supported by both the administration and teachers. Speaking of teachers, we've been very fortunate. Each year, my son has had passionate, caring educators who are truly invested in their students' growth. I've heard some concerns among parents about staff turnover, but having experienced two other schools (one public and another well-known private school in OC), I can say this is fairly typical. Teachers move on for all kinds of reasons, what matters more is the consistency of care, and we've always felt that here. With the exception of one long term sub that was not ideal, we've had outstanding teachers from 2nd to 4th grade. The music program is beyond impressive, Mr. Yaple works wonderfully with kids of all ages. Same for the arts program, the school puts on a more professional production than some theater houses in LA. This is a school that provides the opportunity for all kinds of kids to thrive. Socially, like many schools, St. Anne's can feel a bit cliquey at times, but we've also met some truly amazing families, and my son has built wonderful friendships. All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend St. Anne's. I'm grateful we ignored the negative reviews and gave it a chance.

This school is good in many ways. I like some of the middle school teachers. I think it's good…read morequality overall. The reason it only ranks 3 stars with me is due to the inefficiency of the drop off/pickup line compared to other schools. It's really a grind if you have to drop off/pick up a kid at another school. The staff there is also rude.

This school is an excellent choice for your children if you want them to be in a Christian…read moreenvironment and receiving a well-rounded academic education. The teachers and administrators are dedicated to providing a positive learning environment. The class sizes are small, typically about 20 per class. My children started in kindergarten and are now in middle school at AVCS. They have advanced academically and socially, and they are well-prepared for high school honors classes. My children have also gotten to participate in band, orchestra, drama, art, choir, track, cheer-leading, and volleyball. AVCS offers many other sports and extracurricular activities as well. I am thankful for the Biblical teaching and the commitment to helping my children grow in the knowledge of God and in their personal faith. I also feel good about the Christian morals, values, and positive behaviors that are modeled at this school. You don't get that at the public schools. I highly recommend making the commitment to put your children here. The investment is one of the best you can make for your children's foundation in life.

Our two children attended Aliso Viejo Christian School for a combined total of 13 years. It was a…read morewonderful experience for them and our family The teachers were very hands on and worked closely with the parents to ensure success for the children. Our family made relationships that will certainly last a lifetime.

We have been part of the St. Mary's community for eight years, and choosing this school has been…read moreone of the best parenting decisions we have ever made. When we began our school search, we toured countless schools, but St. Mary's immediately stood out. From the moment we stepped onto campus, it felt like home. Eight years later, that feeling has only grown stronger. I cannot imagine a more nurturing, enriching, and loving environment for our children. What makes St. Mary's exceptional is its commitment to developing the whole child. With one child passionate about the arts and the other about athletics, we have seen firsthand how beautifully the school cultivates each child's unique interests and talents. The arts program is particularly remarkable. Under the incredible direction of Mr. Warren, the musicals transform these young students into what feel like Broadway performers. The talent, confidence, and professionalism he brings out in them are extraordinary, and the final productions are truly captivating. Seeing the arts program nurture such confidence and self-expression has been especially meaningful for our daughter. I have witnessed that growth firsthand in my daughter, now in fifth grade. She began as an incredibly shy little girl, but through the opportunities for leadership, public speaking, stage performance, and self-expression that St. Mary's provides, she has blossomed into a confident, capable, and talented young person. Watching her transformation has been one of the greatest gifts of parenthood, and I truly believe the school's exceptional arts program, dedicated teachers and supportive community have played a central role in making it possible. My favorite part of St. Mary's, without hesitation, is the families and the community. There is a warmth here that is difficult to put into words. Families are genuinely welcoming, supportive, and caring, looking after one another's children as though they were their own. The campus is filled with laughter, friendship, kindness, and love. That sense of belonging cannot be manufactured, and it is what makes St. Mary's so special. Eight years in, I remain grateful every day that we chose St. Mary's. It is much more than a school; it is a place where children are celebrated for who they are, encouraged to discover who they can become, and surrounded by people who genuinely care about them. I couldn't ask for a better childhood or educational experience for our children, and I will forever be grateful to this incredible community for helping shape the people they are becoming.

We've been at St. Mary's for six years now, and I still honestly pinch myself because I feel so…read moregrateful that we get to be part of this community. The warmth here is truly second to none. St. Mary's does such a beautiful job of educating the whole person - not just academically, but in raising kind, empathetic leaders, thoughtful community members, and globally minded thinkers. As an IB school, there is such a meaningful international presence woven into the experience, from travel opportunities and exchange students to learning about and celebrating so many different cultures and religions of the world. I love that our children are taught to be curious, open-minded, compassionate, and respectful of people whose experiences may be different from their own, while still being grounded in the values St. Mary's has always believed in. It really is such a special place, and after six years, I feel even more grateful as I see what a standout human my son has become.

Our experience at Fairmont has been exceptional. The teachers, staff, and administration are truly…read moreinvested in my child's education and her growth as a young learner. Small class sizes and leveled learning have enabled my child to gain confidence in her learning abilities. Though it is a small and newer school, it allows for a lower student to teacher ratio, giving our kindergartener more confidence when asking questions, engage in group activities, and opportunities for one-on-one time with the teachers. She absolutely LOVES Fairmont! The administration is open minded and think outside the box to make a successful educational experience for the students and parents. Fairmont is committed to the whole child. They teach value lessons, character building, communication and leadership skills. We've seen tremendous growth in from beginning of the school year to end. The teachers are passionate about seeing their students succeed. They are so great about sharing moments of pride they see within your child - their good behaviors and achievements; and they know the importance of getting the parents involved should an issue arise, and do it in a very respectful, approachable manner. Great team - great school!

my grandson has been here for 4 years; they are often rude and unhelpful; they seem to be overwhelmread more

We have had the most wonderful experience at JSerra. We are so fortunate to have so many excellent…read morepublic and private schools to choose from in Orange County. JSerra has been an outstanding match for our son who is thriving and enjoying his high school experience. He came from public school where he was a "B" student. He wanted to try JSerra because he had heard so many wonderful things about the school from other students and families. We also knew it would be a little bit smaller environment so perhaps he could get more attention from his teachers. We are so glad he wanted to try JSerra! He has had such excellent teachers that encourage learning, make themselves available and genuinely care and understand my son. He now is an "A" student and works very hard in all of his classes. He is apart of the Business Magnet program and is learning so much about business, investments, marketing, sales, the stock market and so much more. It is a college based curriculum so all the business classes he will receive full college credit. He will likely have completed his first semester of college by the time he graduates High School. Sports is also an important part of the school environment. Over 85% of the students participate in a sport. It is a campus of impressive students who play competitively and work hard academically. And, like most private and now even public schools, there are fees to participate in sports. The fees pay for the coaching staff and the amazing state-of-the-art facilities. Their coaching staff is wonderful. We couldn't be more pleased. Finally, I have been most impressed with how thoughtful, polite and mature the students have been. We have met so many wonderful families who are kind, interesting, humble and involved in their students lives. My son made friends very easily in summer school in the "freshman success" class and continued to make friends over the past 2 years. Summer school a great way to begin to make friends if you are new to the school as well as attending the overnight retreats. Choosing a high school is such a personal choice. But for us, JSerra was the best decision that our family made for our son! Go Lions!

Buyer beware! Not a true Catholic school, as it is run by the parents who donate the most money. It…read moreis the most entitled in OC that attend and if your kid earned a lower grade, parents will threaten the school and the head master will go into the grade book and change the grade. Good teachers come and go quickly if they stand on principles they will be let go if the parents complain about them. Do your child a favor and put them at any other school.

We've been waiting a couple of years to leave this review, now that our son has graduated from this…read morepreschool. Marina View Preschool has been a home away from home for our son, who was there for 2.5 years. In his time there, he flourished not only academically but also in his social-emotional skills. Our son made deep connections with his teachers and classmates. The school runs a tight ship in their policies and practices which ensures the school is properly staffed and the children are safe and properly attended to. We toured many different schools in the area and Marina View stood out for the location/safety of the campus, their open door policy and how happy the children looked when we visited! Our son loved his experience there and misses it so much! It was a school where he felt accepted and safe to be himself. The school has cool events and activities throughout the year. It's just the BEST! We are looking forward to bringing our newborn when the time comes. Thank you Marina View for your wonderful, nurturing and loving staff and for always providing a safe environment for the children to learn, be themselves and have fun!

I toured a few schools/daycares in LN and this school by far felt right for my son. I looked for…read moresafety, attentiveness from staff, reasonable pricing, and a clean facility, and this school met all my needs and more. My son loved his time at this school! The teachers (my son was placed with Ms. Sharlene, Ms. Mayra, Ms. Maria, and Ms. Pari across his 2 years here) are attentive, caring, and all around AMAZING people! My son's excitement every day to go to school speaks to the kind of rapport the teachers built with him. The facility is also well maintained. I feel my son has been prepped well for Kindergarten because of the guidance and environment this school provided for him.

My child was enrolled for TK/K for about 3 months in 2024, at which point I pulled my child…read more Journey is a bit of a co-op school that relies very heavily on parent participation for campus upkeep, festivals and volunteering - so if you enjoy being really active on a school campus, this school has plenty of opportunities. I throughly enjoyed this aspect. They are Waldorf-inspired and the festivals are charming and educational philosophy enchanting. The time spent outdoors is a gift to young children. The classrooms, or at least the TK room my child was in, was exactly as you'd expect a Waldorf classroom to be set up: low stimulus, intentional, curated to fit the rhythms of the day. The communal table and shared snack and responsibilities (my child came away loving bean soup) are things I fondly remember. But in our brief, but intense experience, this school is neither quipped nor (it seems) interested in becoming equipped to provide meaningful and impactful support to children who are different: neurodivergent, learning differences, or just struggling - even temporarily. It is a school of choice and the position of top level administration, in my opinion, is one of complete indifference in the hopes that doing nothing will get you to leave by choice. Which is what happened with us. And was likely for the best. At orientation they stressed that this school may not be for all families. But my impression is that what they are trying to convey is that it may not be a good fit for families who want, for example, a rigorous academic curriculum, or heavy technology use. What they don't say is that it may not be a good fit for families whose children may struggle - either socially or academically or behaviorally. And I think that is what they need to share. Given that this is a public charter, I'm still sort of amazed that they operate with what seems absolutely no understanding of how to identify and support students who struggle, when all other public schools have pretty typical and standard supports in place. The school also seems to struggle with bullying management - or another way said, they seem to place very low priority on intentionally supporting, in age appropriate ways, social and emotional development and guidance. I was hoping for an inclusive experience for my child but found the opposite. Between what I witnessed on the playground at drop off and what my child shared, teasing and bullying are at best ignored and at worst enabled. For such an aspirational educational program, it felt like the social and emotional development of young humans was totally absent. I couldn't put my finger on it at the time, but the only way I can describe it is it felt like the preservation of childhood was at the expense of who these kids would eventually be as adults. Two years in to attending our local public school, and watching how seriously and intentionally bullying is dealt with (conversely, how much emphasis is placed on social and emotional development and guidance) I feel some guilt for allowing my child to stay here for as long as they did. When we received a spot in the lottery we felt very lucky. The lottery is intense and the waitlists are long. We had high hopes for a positive, experiential introduction to education for our nature loving, inclusive, friendly child at the TK/K level. We committed to a commute that we would not otherwise undertake because of what it seemed to offer. In the end, our nearby public school turned out to be the fit for our child, with services and supports abundantly available when and if needed, and high levels of inclusivity, positivity and interest in the well being and development of future adults.

We started this year in TK, so we have been in this school for about 6 months now. I have to say,…read morewe love it. Now let me just start by saying, this school is different and I truly feel lucky that we got in. Also, I have to say this school might not be attractive to every parent ok.... Please take the intake seriously, because you could be taking a lottery spot for someone who truly wants to be in a Waldorf school. How would I describe our experience so far ? If you or your kid loves the outdoors (sun, rain, moon, stars, ocean) things that grow and live in gardens, nature walks, learning how to care for Mother Earth, etc. then this is your dream school. If you or your child enjoy playtime in mud, dirt, don't lose your mind over stains, love rain boots, umbrellas, etc. then this is your dream school. If you or your child enjoy all things magical/wholesome make-believe, like fairy tears, knights, puppets etc. then this is your dream school. Ok I think you get the point :). Reminder , this is a review of my experience in the kindergarten program... where my child learned how to write her name, craft, knit, cut vegetables, set the table, do chores, sing songs, explore, pick up worms, and much more. I like and admire our teacher and her aid. They are extremely experienced and are really good with the kids. I don't need to be the teachers best friend, I just need to hear from my child that she loves her and is excellent with the kids, that's all that matters to me, and she is! The school is small, which I love, it feels old fashioned in all the good ways... like in ways that will remind you of your childhood school days. It is truly a Waldorf school, so make sure you research that and know what you are signing up for. I love it for our family, I personally couldn't imagine my child anywhere else. It's a little gem and I'm so glad it exists. Also, there are things they ask for like, no Disney/characters on clothes, no fancy nails, hair color, makeup, stuff that could be competitive/distracting and I'm sooooo grateful for that. They really want them to have this beautiful slow childhood. There are also so many resources for the parents! So if this all sounds lovely to you and your family - Best wishes and good luck on lottery day!!

We are incredibly happy with our experience at Stratford. This is our first year at the Laguna…read moreNiguel campus, but our third year with Stratford overall. The school has a strong academic focus from an early age while truly supporting and nurturing my child's interests and growth. The curriculum is well-rounded and thoughtfully designed, covering a wide range of subjects and topics that keep children engaged and curious. It's clear that students are academically challenged in a positive way and are already working at least a school year ahead compared to public schools. The school leadership, teachers and staff team are all friendly, helpful, resourceful, and approachable in so many ways. It genuinely feels like a small family, and the community is incredibly supportive, with many fun activities and events throughout the year that bring everyone together. I could go on, but the best way to understand the environment is to take a tour and explore the website. We're very grateful to be part of the Stratford community and highly recommend it to families looking for a strong academic foundation in a nurturing setting.

We couldn't be happier with our experience at Stratford School in Laguna Niguel. With one child in…read morepreschool and another in elementary, we've had the opportunity to see the school's impact across multiple stages of early education--and it's been nothing short of outstanding. The staff and teachers are the best part of the school! They are incredibly warm, communicative, and genuinely invested in our children's growth. It's clear that they take the time to get to know each child as an individual, creating a supportive environment that feels both nurturing and academically enriching. The preschool program has provided a perfect foundation for our youngest--balancing social-emotional learning with hands-on academics in a way that keeps our child excited to go to school every day. Meanwhile, our elementary-aged child has truly flourished under Stratford's well-rounded curriculum. The emphasis on critical thinking, strong language and math skills, and character development has built a solid educational foundation that we know will serve them for years to come. What sets Stratford apart is the seamless integration of high academic standards with a strong sense of community. The families we go to school with have become lifelong friends. Our children aren't just thriving academically--they're happy, confident, and curious learners. We're so grateful to be part of the Stratford family and can already see how this experience is shaping their educational journey in the best possible way.