El Modena High School, 9-12 (Public)

It's an education, nothing more. I never really attached myself to the school, I honestly could care less about school "pride" in a high school like this. I'm a senior here, and it seems the school focus more on sports and supporting those in it than those actually trying to get an education anywhere else. However, decent programs for graphic arts, just received new computers and programs this year (Adobe CS4 (all programs in the pack), 3DS Max 2011, Maya 2011, Mudbox 2011, Motionbuilder 2011) classes in graphic arts/animation were my favorite, great teacher! However I can't say the same for a good number of other teachers for other basic classes. Most of them are mixed, you get good teachers, you get bad ones. Overall, its simply an average high school. You get your diploma and move on to better things.

My child at this school is not very pleased with the system that El Modena High School has to offer. I have been in the office speaking with my child's counselor and it seems to me that punishment is more of a priority than getting students ahead such as my child. It is very hard for a parent to go to work and know that my child has to go through such a poor education system. The problem is the staff in general, the teachers simply do not make El Modena a good place to be. The area is nice, however, the teachers and other staff members make the experience a waste of time and government money. This school needs to be changed for other students are going into the school constantly, and the main thing which makes it worst are those who are graduating. To see those unprepared with a diploma is a difficult struggle. To know that students are being treated as unprepared adults makes the whole "American Dream" a joke. This needs to be accounted for a serious matter this is not an exaggeration.

I LOVE EL MODENA HIGH SCHOOL! There are so many things to be proud about when being a Vanguard. The students get along with one another, teachers are fantastic at what they do, especially the English department, and there is an overwhelming amount of school spirit! I love my school!

I am so fortunate to be a student at El Modena. The teachers are incredible in the sense that they encourage and motivate us to strive for our goals no matter how unreachable they may seem, such as passing an AP test. The administration works hard to make our school a safe and fun environment that enables us to learn and grow into the young adults we wish to be. What more can you ask for?

A phenomenal school that has only pushed me closer to my goals. The atmosphere at school is caring and friendly, at school I feel safe and feel that i'll never be judged. Going to Elmo is something I can truly be proud of.

A fantastic school that allows all students to be who they are in a friendly and safe environment.

All of my children have attended El Modena and I do not regret a single thing about it. This school is successful academically, with teachers that spend much time outside class to help students. I can say this from my own children whose teachers were more willing to help.

Math teachers us MIMEOGRAPH papers, read paperback books in class; admin staff routinely forgives absences undermining parent consequences.

Excellent academics in the Honors and AP programs. Caring faculty and administrators.

El Modena has great academics and an awesome marching band! This school has more to offer than most private high schools in Orange County.

I am currently a senior at El Mo and i simply love it at this school. the environment is very inviting.... the teachers as well as the students seem to connect and get along with everyone. its as if it were a big family full of life. i came from villa park high school where i attended my freshman sophomore and junior year but i wish i had been here at El Mo the whole time

El Modena is an awesome school and a million great things have happened. We have a tremendous staff that keeps me interested in learning. We have the best AP teachers with some of theh highest pass rates in the OC. El Mo is the best kept secret in orange, and peoplepass judgement on it too quickly. It's not a gang banger school. It is a melting pot of different unique people and truly prepares student for life after college.

I'm currently a senior at El Modena High School and I have had a wonderful experience. Of course there were some difficulties and not everything was perfect, but my overall experience has been amazing. The honors and ap program are amazing (and our scores beat the other schools in our district in passing rates). Some of the sports are amazing and others aren't as succesful, but that doesn't really matter. This year has been a year of change. The morale has increased do to energetic and optomistic students and staff members. I honestly believe the administration has improved immensely. They really care about students succeeding and they are trying to inspire change and improve school spirit, but I think students need to be open to change also. Students have to care if they want to succeed. The school can't force them to.

Four of our kids went to Elmo, and our experiences ran the gamut, from good to terrible. Most of the teachers were wonderful, and truly went above and beyond what was expected. There were several who had issues of their own, but that happens anywhere. My biggest problem with the school is the administration, which seems to be more about grandstanding than serving students and staff. All talk, and no follow through.

I had four sons and three nieces who attended El Modena between 1994 and 2007. I saw many changes at the school during those 13 years, some good and some bad. Three were honors students and graduated college and grad school. They did fine at El Mo and in college. Two went into the military and their experience at El Mo was less than stellar. Two were jocks, and saw many changes in the athletic program. One had terrible problems with teachers, and staff, some of it his own doing and some of it problems with prior administration. So the school is great for a self motivating honor student or a jock who needs grades for college but for a 'sweat hog' or student not interested in school, better off somewhere else with more supervision and more caring staff

Both of my students were open enrolled at El Modena. My oldest was well prepared for college and has now graduated early from a UC with a double major. My younger son is also in college and well on his way to a double major. Like most schools El Mo has some good and bad aspects and is an easy target to blame when things do not go well. But in my experience both my sons were well prepared for success at the UC level.

I could not get my child out of the school fast enough. The staff was 'just doing time' and the safety was a Great concern to us. We would not ever allow a child of our to attend there again!

My first daughter did alright because she was fairly self motivated. My second daughter does not really care about school, though, and was failing almost all of her classes. Nobody notified me. By the time I found out it was almost too late to do anything about it. I went in one morning to talk to her counselor, and she let me sit there and did not acknowledge me for 20 minutes. Finally I left. This is not the school for unmotivated kids who need a little extra push and attention.

I have a son who has been there for two years. The school overall is probably a little better than most CA schools. Some teachers are good (English honors), some are terrible, most average. Like most CA schools, wayyyy too crowded. Worst aspect is no accountability for teacher quality, but probably the same at most CA public schools. Good sports program.

As a former parent and stepparent of 3 El Modena students, I would have to say that my experience was less than positive. The counselors seem to push the junior college route even to well prepared and accomplished students. The teachers are a mix of good and awful. The athletics at the school are determined by the individual sport. Some good, some not. It seems as though the coaches however do not stick around. With the exception of the wrestling team and I beleive girls track and football (a few years back) The school morale is very low. There is a lot of animosity among students. I had all three types of students there. The sporto, the scholar and the problem child. 1 went through, barely with my intervention, the other 2 left the school and excelled in other schools. I would not recommend anyone send there child there.

I went to El Mo for less than a year and HATED it! I am very confused how all those parents are saying there kids went there and loved it, they must have been the ASB parents. The whole school was huge disappointment. The teachers were uninterested in the students, except for the ASB kids or problem students. If you weren't in that group, Good Luck getting any help or guidence from the teachers.

I think this school is a great school.I currently attend ELMO and I have for the most part been enjoying my 4th year here. The teachers are wonderful and very caring but my peers on the other hand are another story; much like most high school. Overall I would highly recommend ELMO.

My child goes to Elmo and I am looking for other school options. The teachers and administrators are disappointing. Most teachers have no concern about educating the students but just working for their salaries. The concept of discipline at Elmo is enforcing the rules rather than teaching the ethics of life to the students. Teachers and counselors, administrators must first open their mind and look at the bigger picture before they can convince the young life the positive side of education.

El Modena is outstanding, especially with it's AP program, it probably has some of the best teachers Orange County has to offer. The school has high parental involvement with a very active ASB. The principal's new clean campus committee, leaves the school looking beautiful as well.

No matter how great the teaching staff are, the classroom size is too oversized to count for anything.

As a former student of this high school, I saw many things that both helped the students and things that didnt. One of the things that I saw that helped the students was the fact that many of the teachers took time out of their busy schedule to help and educate students. that is one of the best things I remember from this school. The negative feed back, I guess you could say, is that many students got away with many things. I should know, my friends and I did.

My god son attended El Modena last year and the parental involvement was wonderful. While he did have a couple of teachers who were totally burned out and overwhelmed, the majoirty if them were caring, sincere and had the student's best interest at heart. I am trying to get my daughter into 'elmo' next year. One of the few public high schools I would even consider sending my child to.

Good school, great sports program. Parental involvement is great, some communication concerns as far as certain teachers but overall I had no problems with my daughter's stay there. I would recommend.

CTP program is excellent!

We are Elmo Alumni's, and our child goes to Elmo, and we are sorry to say, that our other children will not be attending this school. It seems as if there is no supervision on campus, or at off campus events. What ever happened to the no tollorance program - for everyone? Discipline, or lack there of only comes when the schools reputation is at risk, not when the students need it and is not constistant. They do not address administrative problems, and do not deal with issues relating to the staff. We are very unhappy with this school and the way it has chosen to handle certian problems.

I was a student Class of 2002. I loved El Mo. There was so much school spirit you couldn't help but be proud. There was some drug problems but not huge ones. I felt accepted by my peers regardless of race, class, or sexual orientation. I learned so much from teachers and peers alike. They used to have the best choir and drama programs but since the old teachers retired last year (2003) I've noticed that they are going downhill. Well overall El Mo was a great and wonderful experience for me.

I had two sons go through El Modena High School. Both had nothing but good things to say about their high school experience. As long as they keep their A.P. classes and honors classes as respectable as they are now, El Modena will prove to be one of the most outstanding high schools in the Orange County area.

My daughter graduated from El Modena and my son attends there now. I have always been very pleased with the academics and athletics at Elmo. But the thing that makes me proudest is the community atmosphere where everyone is respected, regardless of one's race or income level. Some of the richest kids in Orange go to Elmo and some of the poorest do, too. But they are all respected as equals by one another, by the faculty and by the community.

I taught at El Modena for 36 years. I do not agree with the one comment that has been made. Elmo is a great school in a diversified area. The teachers love and care about their students. We have an excellent fine arts and performing arts department that trains students for college. Our athletic department promotes healthy competition and provides great outlets for all that teenage energy. We offer more AP classes that any other school in OUSD. The principal is on top of things and works well with the staff, students and parents. All three of my children went to ELMO and they are also proud of their school.

The classes are over crowded. Not enough one on one or help for the students.The school it self is over crowded.