Olinda Elementary School

3145 East Birch Street

School District

Brea-Olinda Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Brea-Olinda Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 15, 2024

Horrible Aside from Mrs Dixon in 1st grade. This school is definitely not a school I would knowingly send anyone to. I was recently told that when the bell rings the children are required to drop to their knees and put their hands on their head! I’m sorry, but what, are they in prison? They are pretty good at asking for donations though!
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2022

A modern building that has gone back back a few decades in time - in the times of technology and automation, this school offers no programs to help the students in that direction. The media center does not offer any programs relating to tech and innovation. Bummer experience for our first year and from what I heard is that the library went back 15-20 years in the offerings. A school where their teachers choose to enroll their own child in a private school speaks for itself. I would highly encourage checking other schools in the district that offer so much more in terms of experience for their students. The only good thing is this school has gates and safety is good that’s all.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2017

Amazing school. The teachers are wonderful and the programs they have ay each grade level have been far superior than what I've seen at other schools.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2017

My child attended this school from kindergarten through 6th grade. First attended when the school was located in Olinda Village through to 4th grade and then finishing after re-location to Birch St. I must say the all the teachers are fantastic, they give of themselves everyday to better our children, and the leadership.. Fantastic! When my daughter started Mrs. K. Kennedy was the principal, a fantastic leader with tremendous energy and a strong focus on learning. Her reputation speaks for itself "Under Kennedy’s watch, Olinda Elementary was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and a California Distinguished School for academic excellence. It was the first elementary school in the county to receive the Blue Ribbon award." We are lucky now to have her lead the Brea Jr. High where my daughter attends. Mr. Rendon is also a fantastic leader, a perfect successor to carry on the academic excellence of Olinda elementary.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2016

The current Principal is Mr. Robert Rendon, and he is excellent to say the least. The curriculum here is fast paced and it set to help the students strive in the long run.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2014

There is a lot of favoritism and bias. The principal, K. KENNEDY, is horrible. She has offended me, other parents, and children. This principal is not a good leader and should be removed. I know many parents that cannot communicate with her. The teachers lack quality. Every teacher and office administration at this school should be removed. This school needs to be reorganized starting from the top. It is sad when the parents send primary students to outside tutors, reading clubs, mathnazium, and so forth because they know this school does not teach the child. I have taken my children out and placed them elsewhere. My children have learned a lot more and like the new school much better (public school). When you see problems at this school call the superintendent ( although he sits in his office and won't do anything), Skip Roland. Call the media, call the state of California. ..do whatever but let your concerns be heard. Think again before enrolling your child here. Also, if you do enroll your child make sure you observe what is really happening and how things are handled. Be of luck!
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2014

Our children attended this school for several years, one child K-6. With that being said, there has been a big disappointing change in the vibe at this school since the campus moved from the nice simple tranquil location on Lilac Lane, and shifted to the large expensive state of the art location next to the Brea Sports Park. The vibe has shifted from a nurturing educational gem to a big business. Don't be fooled there is an old school club here among these teachers, they stick together and lobby parents to address the district on their behalf. Many of them attended Brea schools as youngsters themselves and are part of the "Brea Bubble Mentality" - the Brea Way or the highway mode of thinking. We have been blessed with a large family and our younger children are no longer attending Brea schools. It has been the smartest choice in the world for our family. If you are choosing an Elementary school in the city of Brea you will receive somewhat of a quality education... however, one that contains a lot of sticky red tape and politics along the journey. The junior high is deplorable and the high school is like a prison of pompous arrogant adults who couldn't make it in the private sector
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2014

This school is okay! I've been actively involved with this school, however I have to say there's favoritism and biased among some of the teachers towards parents who volunteer or whom the teacher knows. While there are a number of wonderful teachers, but others existed at the school should not be teaching. For example, he/she does not help kids achieve personal growth nor challenge them as well as understand the learning styles of children. This school is very competitive on API scores among districts and it's obvious! The reason they have a high score is because parents hired tutors, or are affiliated with some type of after school academic enrichment program or club. I feel even I can do a their better job than some of these teachers and I've done so with my kids. No thanks to them! The school could improve with hiring high qualified staff and administrators to lead the path and understand more about multicultural diversity.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2013

This principal, Kelly Kennedy, needs to be removed and go back into the classroom because she is out of touch with learning styles, diversity, and multicultural students. I have been please with many of the teachers except for a couple that should not be teaching. There is a lot of favoritism and biased if you do not live in the million dollar homes. If you live in any apartments or are thought to be a single parent, your child is treated differently. The only reason why the test scores are high is because the parents pay for tutors and outside learning clubs or associations. The teachers that are exceptional include: Mrs. Dixon, Mrs Walsh, Mrs Heard, Mrs. Hubbard, Mrs. Wellen, Mrs. Howland, Mrs. Maddock, and Mr. Kessell. There are a few teachers that are new so I cannot rate them and I have no exposure to. Also, I do not believe the majority of these teachers could teach at schools such as Laurel, Aerovista, or Country Hills Elementary School. Visit the classrooms and communicate often. This school could do much better with a highly qualified staff and administrator leading the way. The teachers named rate as 4 or 5 stars on teacher quality.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2013

it is a good school has great programs but this year they had combine classrooms and this year I seen a lot of struggling in classrooms in my son's classroom were 7 kids for retention and all bilingual. some great teacher but the principal not the best, the school has had better ones. after all it is ok but not like last years.
Submitted by other on December 16, 2011

I attended Olinda from 1970 - 1978 and credit my success in life to my early education. I still live just up the street and have witnessed decades of excellence & awards coming out of Olinda Elementary.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2010

Olinda Elementary is a great school! I have two children attending the school and they have so much fun while learning a lot at the school. It is a small school and all teachers know all students. The teachers really care for the students educational and social developments. The parents have strong involvements to various school activities and maintain open communications with the teachers. The principal, Mrs. Kennedy, is exceptional in creating and maintaining such great school environments. She is very approachable, and you can always find her at the gate of the school greeting school children on the first name basis at the start of a school day. She often takes up on a broom and sweeps the school ground, and starts a conversation with parents to discuss about the events going on at the school and children s progresses. We feel fortunate and privileged to have our children attend the school, and would like to say many thanks to the teachers and the principal at the school.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2008

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Submitted by parent on October 29, 2007

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