Orangethorpe Elementary School, K-6 (Public)

Both my daughters attended this school. At first, I was a little aprehensive due to the fact the school's appearance is nasty. However, after the their first year, my girls absolutely loved this school. At least the teachers that taught my daughters were caring, competent, communicated to me very well, and they showed genuin interest with my girl's success. I think a lot has to do with parent involvement. If parents fail to be involved, they will reap the consequences--this school gave me every opportunity to stay involved. In terms of safety: this school is too open for anyone to walk on property and have direct access to the children before and after school and during recess; the parking lot is poorly designed; and, the front office staff has lackadaisical attitudes as if I'm not important engough for them to get out of their seat and talk face to face.

My son transferred to Orangethorpe from another Fullerton school and from day one I have not been happy. It is hard to get information. Even though my son's class was a job share he had a lot of subs though out the year which made learning difficult. We just got the STAR scores and his scores went way down. I would explore the other schools in the Fullerton disrtict before making a choice.

Orangethorpe is the worst school in the history of schools! If I could rate a 0, I would. The staff is, not only uncooperative, but they are highly incompetent as well. The school has some good teachers, but this does not make up for all other short comings, which there is too many to list. If you are able, send your children elsewhere.

A serious lack of communication to parents from administration. Very little PTA presence. A transient school. Very few if any Field trips. Very bad access to school grounds and dropping and picking up of students unsafe.

This is a great school with good leadership. There are two multi-age parent paticipation programs at this school which feature a more developmental and child centered curriculum and focus. Every year the school has an all arts program where the classrooms work with a specialist music teacher, drama teacher, art teacher, and dance teacher. Each series lasts for six weeks. There is a school choir and a school band. Every year there is a wonderful Academic Olympics contest where upper grade students can compete in different areas such as dramatic reading, math, etc. Parent involvement is especially important at Orangethorpe.

When my son first stated kindergarten here, it was truly a great school. However as the years passed and the principal retired, things haven't been the same. The new principal and assistant principal, neither one is ever available when you have a situation that must be addressed. Furthermore, many of the fundraising fun activities have just disappeared. This year my son will graduate from 6th grade, however I still have one more child here. I hope things get better for the remaining students. I think the principal and her assistant should consider being more friendly and attentive to the parents concerns as well as the students.

I am very honored to have my daughter inrolled in at Orangethorpe Elementary School. I myself attended Orangethorpe from K-6. This past year alone my daughter has excelled in her reading with the help of after school tutoring and summer school. I have no worrys when it comes to my daughter's education at Orangethorpe.