Mariposa Elementary School, K-6 (Public)

This school has failed my children on so many levels, I felt I had to say something. Most of the problems seem to coincide with the arrival of the current Principal. They had 7 fund raisers between September and November of 2009. I have no idea where the money goes. The Principal told the students that Colleges will be looking at their 6th grade achievement tests! What kind of person lies to children to further their career? Bullying is tolerated. Many of the Senior teachers are just waiting to retire. The math and science 'programs' are horrible. If I didn't spend my evenings teaching my children, they wouldn't learn anything. There were some good young teachers, but because of the union and budget cuts, they will be leaving. The sad part is that we moved to Brea because we heard the schools were good. Maybe Mariposa was a good school at one time...

I have 2 kids at this school and had 3, but felt I had no other option and moved my child to Fanning, after a 1 year course of bulling. She felt she had to befriend the bull since the Principal claimed it was just 'girl drama' My oldest will be moving on to the Jr. High,(thank god) and my kindergartner will be joining his sister at Fanning for 1st grade. Very disappointed in several things that have gone on at this school. SEVERAL students will be leaving Mariposa this fall. Also, the school has way to many fundraisers, and then will turn to the students and tell them that the school is running out of money! So sad, for a child to have to come home and grab their piggy bank and try to take it to school, because they are 'running out of money'

Don't ignore the negative reviews. This school does well in thanks to great demographics and parent involvement (lots of stars, yay!). The minute you raise an issue, you are a person 'with issues'. There are some great teachers, but the lazy ones who only tolerate perfectly compliant children can really destroy the experience for your child (hmmm... no stars).

My child attended Mariposa for the 1st time this past year and it was a good experience. I attended each of the field trips & felt they were both educational as well as well planned. I feel the Principal truly cares & is very involved as both a school official & a parent. She too has a child at the school. I do have a is that the school is an open campus concern about the security of an open style campus. I am opposed to small kids walking to the office to turn in attendance forms. That should be a job for an adult. It is too risky in this day to chance 6 year olds to not wonder or be lured away. Additionally, I am severely opposed to the school being used as a polling site. This invites the opportunity of strangers wandering on to the campus.

This school takes way too many field trips. Most of them have no educational purpose at all. I send my child to school to learn not to take walks to the park or take a class trip to the movies. My child has been on 8 field trips this school year and in expected to take another one in 2 weeks. Unbelieveable.

I have lived in small towns before and I rate Mariposa as one of the best. Mariposa Elementary is a great school. The teachers and staff really care and take the time with the kids. You can call the classroom if you need to relay a message to your child, which is amazing to me. This is a wonderful school and town to be part of.

Mariposa is a joyful place to learn and volunteer. The principal is an outstanding 'people person' and a wonderful academic leader, the teachers love and support kids, and the office staff is always friendly and top notch! We have great test scores, wonderful activities and super communication. We feel so lucky to be here!

My son started kindergarten at Mariposa this year, and I'm very impressed with their program. The principal is very involved in the school. My son's teacher really cares about him succeeding not only in academics but in life. They encourage parent involvement, and it's fun to be a part of my son's class weekly.

Mariposa is an excellent school. The principal is for the kids 100%. She is dedicated to make Mariposa a fun, safe leaning environment. Parent involvement goes beyond any expectation.

Dissappointed. I am really dissappointed in this school and the new principal. All they seem to care about is keeping themselves as a distinguished school -- even at the expense of the enjoyment of the kids. You would be doing yourself a favor to stay clear of this school.

good school with good teachers

This school could be great. Unfortunately, they have cut so many corners that the teachers have to ask the parents for tissues so the kids can blow their noses. Some classes are cotaught by a pair of part-time teachers. While either of the teachers alone might be fine, the combination doesn't seem to work well at all for some students. There is an unfortunate tendency for to assume that a mild learning disabillity is really an intentional act of defiance on the child's part, and that they can fix the problem through discipline, without input from the parents -- actually, the teachers ignored our advice and insisted we must follow theirs. They told us we should home school our child if we disagreed with them. I definitely would not recommend this school for any student who is not already highly compliant and organized.

My daughter just started kindergarten in the fall. Her teacher is Mrs. Eldred, and she is wonderful. She is patient and kind, but can be firm when she needs to be. My daughter just loves her!