Laguna Beach Unified School District -- Think Twice Before You Move Here for the Schools…read more Laguna Beach is a beautiful-looking little coastal town, but when it comes to education, families--especially families with children with special needs--need to look much deeper than the image of the town. Laguna Beach Unified School District operates with a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach to education. There is a lack of understanding of cultural, racial, socioeconomic, and family differences. Single parents can find themselves navigating a system that is anything but welcoming, and there are serious questions about whether families are treated equally regardless of whether they own or rent their homes. The treatment of children with special needs is one of the biggest concerns. Children with autism and other significant disabilities can be sent outside of Laguna Beach for their education, separating them from their own community. The explanation is that Laguna Beach is a small district and cannot provide every specialized program. But look at what this small district is capable of building and funding. There are major facilities and enormous athletic investments, including football facilities, yet somehow the district can be "too small" to provide appropriate classrooms, qualified teachers, aides, therapies, and programs that allow children with disabilities to remain in their own community. Children with disabilities should not have to travel far outside their hometown simply because the school district has decided not to create an appropriate local program. Special education should begin with inclusion and the least restrictive environment, not segregation from the community whenever a child's needs become more complicated. Parents also need to research the district's history regarding transparency, spending, governance, special education, and parent participation. Look at public reporting. Look at audits and official records. Look at what has been reported about special-needs students. Look at how major leadership decisions are made. And most importantly, talk to parents who have actually had to challenge the district. Parents have educational rights. They are supposed to be meaningful participants in decisions concerning their children's education--not people who are simply informed about decisions after administrators have already determined what they want. A school district should not decide everything simply because a parent refuses to agree with it. Before moving to Laguna Beach because you have heard that the schools are excellent, do your homework. A wealthy ZIP code, beautiful buildings, high test scores, athletic facilities, and an attractive coastal town do not automatically equal a world-class education. A truly world-class school system knows how to educate children who don't fit into one mold. It understands different cultures, different socioeconomic backgrounds, different family structures, different learning styles, and disability. Most importantly, it understands that a child with special needs belongs to the community just as much as every other child. Beautiful town. Beautiful image. But parents should look behind that image before deciding this is where they want their children educated.

Be cautious about enrolling your children in this district. In my experience, there are concerns…read moreabout staff attitudes and motivations. It often feels like many teachers are more focused on the pay than on supporting students. I've also observed behavior that raises concerns about how students of color are treated, which is troubling. What stands out the most to me is how the district presents itself publicly. They intentionally feature students of color in their photos and promotional materials to highlight diversity. How those images doesn't always seem to match the actual experiences of those students.

So before anyone takes this too seriously, I and a friend decided to review the snack bar for two:…read morereasons: 1) Wrestling tournaments are extremely long and occasionally a little boring. 2) we love to eat. Let's begin with the breakfast. Solid menu of bagels, energy bars, fruit and the staple of snack bars, the breakfast burrito. We opted for the breakfast burrito. It was very cheap for the potato and egg. It also tasted like, well, potato and egg. It was decent with the nice salsa they had For a snack I had the hot dog. For an additional $1 I was able to add chili and cheese. I added some pickles and jalapeño and bam!! it was awesome. The skin on the dog had the nice snap and the chili was delicious. My son had the pizza slice and he claimed it was awesome. But really, it's pizza. It's fairly difficult to screw up a pizza that's delivered to your snack bar. For now, that's all I've had. I'll post more later depending on whether or not my son gets eliminated from the tourney. If he keeps winning, I'll keep eating and reviewing.

Went for my cousin brother's graduation today. It was a nice event. My cousin had a great time. We…read moreall are so proud of him. He always talk about a lot of great thing this school offers.

I currently attend this school and I must say I love it here and could chose nothing more. They…read moretake the meaning of school pride next level and they show what it means to be a team. The football games are incredible and they always go out for them. As with every other event like pack the nest and other events. They have good teachers and kind staff. All though what they could use is more plants and flowers for the campus other than that it is great campus and I highly recommend attending here if you or your child loves coming together as a community and is overall social

My son has had all of his basketball practice games here and it is a nice and well run school…read more Some areas such as the bathrooms could use a remodel, but it is well maintained and they have a great staff and wonderful students.

We played soccer here early Sunday morning. There's a nice ocean view from the field and plenty of…read moreparking but it was way overwatered. Everything was soggy and the ball didn't move very well. The field hadn't been striped in a long time. Sidelines were impossible to judge even if you were right on top of them. Someone on the home team should've spent a little time getting this field in order. And the parking area was closed off when some of the earlier parents arrived. They had to wait for someone to open the gate.

The Best in the West! An amazing start to any students school journey. Amazing faculty and grounds…read more Arts and sports have not been cut since the amazing parents have joined together to keep their kids well rounded. Across from Crystal Cove and the Pacific Ocean!

My daughter attended high school here. She had wonderful opportunities to learn and travel through…read moreSpring at Sage, which provided some of her favorite high school memories. Every time she is back from college, she and her friends like to visit the faculty, which is a huge testament to the relationships they formed and the positive experiences they had in their classes. We think very highly of Sage Hill!

The front desk lady is very unhelpful and sarcastic for no reason. Even a normal question is…read moreanswered with a sharp tone and an unhelpful attitude. I've been at the school for 4 years and I havent and ONE good interaction with her. Even when in very polite and did everything correctly she's still rude and disrespectful. And it's even worse when you're wrong, she's just criticizing and berating you the whole time. Even worse, it's only to students and never teachers or parents. The faculty here doesn't respect students. I hope she gets fired.

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.

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.

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....

When our family joined Harbor Day School four years ago, we hoped for a strong academic foundation…read morefor our children, but what we found has been so much more. Harbor Day has become an extension of our family, a place where our three children are not only challenged intellectually but also supported emotionally and socially in every way. The teachers here are extraordinary. They know each child deeply - their strengths, quirks, and potential, and they truly want every student to become their best self. What stands out most is how intentionally the school focuses on the whole child. Academic rigor is balanced with lessons in kindness, citizenship, and community. My sons have learned to think critically and act compassionately, skills that matter far beyond the classroom and that we see demonstrated when we travel and encounter different societies and cultures. The breadth of experiences offered continues to impress me. From science and technology to wood shop, Spanish/Latin/Mandarin, art, and beyond, the curriculum encourages curiosity and hands-on exploration. Every day, my children come home excited to share something new they've discovered or built. As a parent, I've also found a meaningful sense of belonging through volunteer opportunities and parent enrichment programs. Although we don't live in the immediate neighborhood, I've found that volunteering and participating in parent enrichment opportunities have made me feel deeply connected to the school. The families and faculty are warm, welcoming, and united by a shared commitment to helping children thrive both academically and personally. We are so happy with our decision to have our children at Harbor Day School. It's a place where children are seen, valued, and inspired, and where families feel truly at home.

Harbor day has been wonderful for my children 's growth both educationally and as people. The…read moreteachers care about the students both in classroom and outside the classroom. The Harbor day community has been very welcoming and nuturing . It's been wonderful for our family.

My daughter loved pre-K at manzanita and just started kindergarten at south Laguna campus. It's…read morevery creative, calm, and welcoming. We've really enjoyed our experience. Miss Shannon, Mr. John and the entire Manzanuta team made our daughter feel safe and welcomed. South Laguna has also been a great start with Ms. Lisa being a class favorite and Ms. Katherine is so helpful. We haven't gotten to know everyone yet, and we are excited to.

Our daughter attended Kindergarden at the Manzanita campus and boy do I wish we could have packed…read moreup this delightful school and brought it with us when we moved to the east coast. Intimate and beautiful, the campus is a gem. Our daughter was instantly enchanted by all the stained glass, trees, flowers and chickens. Every classroom has its own outdoor space where home cooked family style lunches (often featuring food grown on Miss Anneliese's ranch) are served. The staff is equally nurturing and professional. The academics are solid: phonics based reading, Singapore math and handwriting without tears. My daughter started kindergarten not knowing how to read and tested into her new school one year above grade level. Weekly (or more) French, Spanish, German, American Sign Language, Music, Handcrafts and PE lessons are taught by specialty teachers. The school also hosts numerous social events throughout the year that help to foster a fun and active parent community. We remember our daughter's year at the Anneliese Manzanita campus with great fondness and wholeheartedly recommend it to any family looking for an enriching school experience.