St. Angela Merici Elementary School

575 South Walnut Avenue

Brea, CA 92821

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on July 09, 2024

My child just completed first year at SAM and we both love this school. We had an overwhelming amount of communication at first but got used to it. School emails newsletters twice a week and each class have class moms that help bridge gaps between parents and teacher. Our class mom started a WhatsApp group just for class parents to communicate with each other, which I found so helpful. I did have an incident with the teacher and principal when we first started school and Ms. Tellez (principal) listened to my concern and suggested I speak with teacher first to try to resolve and if it couldn't be resolved to then involve her. I was able to email the teacher and did have a face-to-face meeting with her to address my concerns and we were able to work through it. The teacher emailed weekly and she and her TA, both kept us in the loop by taking pictures throughout the school year. Our class is remarkably close, and all the parents feel like we are family. In fact, if I ever need anything I know I can call another parent and ask for help. We have had a wonderful experience at SAM.
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2023

Transitioning to this new school has been easy and welcoming. We are looking forward to the new school year. We loved our teacher, Ms. Hua who was great with teaching and keeping kids in line with homework assignments, etc. We appeciate our principal, Mrs. Telles for being closely involved with our student and helping with adjustments. She gave attention in areas that were needed and communication was great in resolving any issues. We appreciate the weekly school news and updates. Summerfest was an experience that we look forward to again. We are grateful to be a part of this community. The Sports dept needs more volunteers to help with accomodating certain sports but all in all, I recommend this school. Child care before and after school is a plus. The support of parents was also nice in coming in as a new student. We felt welcomed and again, grateful to be a part of this school.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2023

As a member of this school and community for 7 plus years, I want to share how sadden and heartbroken I am. SAM is no longer what it used to be, sadly because of the principal, Mrs. JoAnn Telles. She is nice at first but then her true self comes out and it’s not positive. This principal is unethical across the board. She needs to be fired or asked to leave, for the sake of OUR community. Many great teachers and families have left because of the principal. The front office is very rude, too. As parents, we are afraid to speak up because fear this principal will mistreat our children and US. She’s known for that and I really believe our school should be investigated by HR and the Archdiocese of OC and beyond. That hurts! A lot of shady things are happening at SAM. Students are testing below grade level and have to pay for tutoring on top of tuition. Tuition has gone up and false promises regarding updated textbooks and learning has not been delivered. Students entering HS are at 6th grade level. How awful. There are a lot of amazing families here. Great children and kind kids. I pray that God heals our beautiful community. It used to be a safe place. A school were parents were embraced as a whole. There was transparency and support. You will be exposed because darkness does not live in the light! Please don’t send your children here. I would not want more families to be victims of this fallen and broken administration.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2023

The public schools near us have top-rated academic programs and facilities. Yet, we drive further and pay tuition to send our kids to St. Angela's. Why? It's that's much better. We've been extremely impressed by the caliber of teacher that works at the school. It's clear that this is more than a job to them and they put in the extra time and energy to get to know the students and to support a strong sense of community. As excellent as the academics are, the main reason we're at St. Angela's is because we want our kids to grow up right. We want them educated in the catechism, for them to pray, to attend mass, and to belong to a strong Christian community. A huge proportion of children's time in spent away from their parents, in school, at after school activities and socializing with their friends. Environment is everything. If we were aiming for the low bar of college and a good job, public school would be fine.On a side note, the St. Angela community also hosts the "Brea Summerfest" each June. It's the best carnival and free concert I know of. The families and the community love it and it's just one example of what makes St. Angela a great school to be a part of.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2023

Sign up your kids up if they thrive in a “sink or swim” environment. want large class sizes with no TAs after 2nd grade. No clubs either. Then come to SAM. The teachers are overwhelmed and inexperienced. Some have just been teaching their OWN class for a year. A parent can not engage in conversation or bring up a concern when picking up or dropping off kids.The office assistant Debbie Johnson is rude. If you need help or ask for a form to be printed. She lets you know that she is not happy to do it. Administrators are supposed to be helpful. I heard her tell a student while she was holding the door for her, “hurry up I can’t be waiting all day”. I can still picture the look on that little girls face. She would never speak to an adult like that.I regret not speaking up. It’s sad, I have fond memories as a child of the sweet secretary’s.The principal Joann. The 3rd principal in 6 or years. She is nice when enrolling your child. Once enrolled and bring up a concern about your child. She takes it personal and perceives that you don’t think she is “doing her job”. I assume there is a past trauma and she is triggered by a concerned parent. Then she starts to take personal digs regarding your parenting. Oh and she will call the police. She really needs training on de-escalation tactics.Why continue at the school? It’s a great community and I’m only here for a little bit longer. It’s sad, I pay for tutoring because my kid can’t ask their teacher for extra help because they are busy helping the other 30 plus students and there’s no aide to ask. Staying after school for help is not an option. Poor teachers, at the end of the day. They run out of that school.It would be great if the school offered clubs like, foreign language, chess club or lego club. Something…
Submitted by parent on November 25, 2019

My experiences at this school have been great. My children come home with smiles on their faces.
Submitted by parent on November 25, 2019

In comparison to the previous school we were at, St. Angela Merici has met all of our expectations. There is always an opportunity for improvement with any school and no school is perfect. What differentiates the bad schools from the good ones are the teachers and faculty and their willingness to identify those opportunities and put forth action to make changes and I have seen that at SAM. Additionally, parents also share a responsibility to ensure the school that they send their children to 7+ hours a day is a well oiled machine, if it isn't then we all need to be part of the solution and not the problem by working harder with the school to change that although if that is not what one wants to do, then the beauty of living in a free world is that we all have the option to leave and find another school.
Submitted by parent on November 24, 2019

Family community, great teachers, strong academics, faith based. Really happy with our decision to send our kids here.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2019

New principal is not doing an effective job and vice principal Is not any better , they both need to be replaced. School is falling apart.. very sad
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2019

I should have become a dentist because trying to resolve problems at this school is like pulling teeth.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2019

Every school has their issues. My kids enjoy the school and the overall atmosphere. They are proud to go to SAM and cringe at the thought of changing school.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2017

The academics are average at best. The Administration unfortunately defends the families that have deep pockets and will turn away from inappropriate behavior. Very large class size 37:1, the administration is more interested in getting the $$ than keeping the class size manageable. The library is not used and has now been turned into another classroom to get more bodies in the seats=$. The Arts program is run by a parent- with no/minimal Art background. So, if your willing to pay the high tuition fees, volunteer 50% of your free time, pay for others to attend the Washington DC trip for 8 years, allow the staff and parents with deep pockets to get away with A LOT then you'll be fine. Do your research, talk to families who have children attending and you may think twice about sending your children to St. Angela.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2015

I researched all of the private schools in the area. I preferred Catholic but was considering other options as well. My husband and I chose St Angela for many reasons. Their academics are superior to any other school. They have Advanced Math and Writing classes, an extremely advanced Mac computer lab, and an excellent Science program. The teachers have high expectations, and are vested in the success of their students. St Angela offers many programs that no other school nearby offers, such as a live broadcasting program that is totally student driven, a Green Team , Campus Ministry, extensive sports program, cheerleading, a technology club and many many more. St Angela's is a mentor school, setting the pace for many of the schools in Orange County. It is an exceptional school.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2015

I feel the academics are average. If your in a good school district (check scores and most important teacher student ratio) You will get exactly the kind of education you strive for. The classroom ratios at SAM are not competitive. If your child fits in the schools boxes as all the children are alike attitude then you will be ok. If your child is above average they do not have any gifted or gate programs. Only one class per grade so if you have any challenges your stuck. Also the school does not practice their values painted on their campus. Very disappointing old school catholic values as do as I say and not as I do. Just do your research before signing your money away.
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2011

St. Angela Merici Parish School helps develop a well rounded individual. Academics, social and spiritual skills!