Corona Fundamental Intermediate School

1230 South Main Street

School District

Corona-Norco Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Corona-Norco 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 other on July 18, 2024

The reviews before mine are completely wrong in my opinion. The teachers were and still are great, the IB program is really good (was in it) especially the electives. The reviews about art are somewhat true, however I have since heard she has retired and a new teacher is taking her place. The homework is really not much, but are challenging, forcing you to think critically and open minded. On top of that, the projects and tests happen very frequently and you sometimes may have multiple on you hands. The dress code is fine to many people and the only people that complain are the ones who usually don't pay attention in class. Most of the time, teachers have to stay silent on most things (like dress code violations and profanity) because it seems that the time it will take to reprimand the student and the sheer amount of students that do it, their entire day will be full of write ups. The art teacher was one of the few teachers who actually enforced the rules all the time, causing her to get such a bad name (not her fault!). Also because of her enforcing that, all of the actions said above don't happen at all in her class. So really, go to CFIS! It isn't bad at all!
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2023

CFIS is not school I would recommend because it doesn't help the kids grow in positive ways. Many racist and ablest jokes are made by the young kids and the teachers don't do anything. Strict and unnecessary dress code makes the kids here bland and develop no personal style. They're are many private chat rooms that spread harmful rumor about the kids. The 8th math teacher doesn't stay on task at all, they only talk about their personal life and kids. Teachers don't provide efficient information or direction for the class lesson. The office workers do not punish the real kids who cause trouble enough. Donations that are meant for future dances or special events are never seen again. They will take your money. - S.M
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2022

The other reviews that say this is a prison were right. The dress code is insane, they are more worried about some girl’s shoulder or thigh showing than they are about the dismal education they provide. I had to teach multiple subjects where she wasn’t learning anything to keep my daughter from falling behind when she got to high school.CFIS sounded great when we read about them. Supposedly this IB program was going to teach them so much, but it was just a disorganized mess. They have some truly awful teachers there and they don’t seem to have any intention of doing anything about it.Surprisingly the Art teacher was the worst. I never thought I’d complain about an Art teacher since academics is generally much more important to me. Also how do you mess up an Art class. But she has destroyed a true love of art in my child. She gave her an F on her first ever self portrait. I can’t imagine ever doing that to a self conscious tween girl, but what’s worse is she did it because the teacher didn’t like the markers she used (my daughter bought special markers because she was so excited for the project). This is the second time the teacher incorrectly accused my daughter of using the wrong media and the second time she incorrectly accused her of lying.When I confronted the administration about this, they just kept telling me how long this teacher had been there and how she was a pillar of the school. I have to agree that she really does represent the school well. They act like prison guards that hate the inmates instead of teachers would want the children to learn.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2022

I don’t even know where to start. This school is horrible. Although they’re a public school they love to be overly controlling, strict, and rude to their students. The art teacher especially was a horrible teacher. I’ve heard of multiple accounts where the students had all A’s and one B in art. That’s crazy. I also don’t understand how a school is allowed to make rules like this as well. No dyed hair, must where jeans with no holes, must wear belt, has to tuck in shirts. There’s no freedom to have a childhood when there are outrageous amounts of homework and rules. Overall this school was terrible and I hope you don’t send your kid here.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2022

Worst experience ever. My son learned nothing in only one semester before I transferred him out. He never had homework. Never had tests. Watched movies in most of his classes. Did absolutely nothing in PE. Mindfulness Monday is a cruel joke on the kids. Was supposed to be in the IB program but was not placed. One project in science. Math was topics he covered in the 5th grade. wood shop was the most productive and interesting class. Very sad and pathetic. Just a place to babysit your kids.
Submitted by student on March 10, 2018

My experience at cfis was horrible. The teachers were mean and the school acts like a prison. The PE runs like a boot camp, and one teacher always yells at students during PE. Very few teachers are nice and supportive.
Submitted by student on October 30, 2015

The school is great I currently attend it as an IB student in the 7th grade. People say that you only have to have education in your life to succeed in it, but I have straight A's (accelerated math class). I also participate in many activities such as Judo, Karate, Piano, and Boy Scouts. If you don't procrastinate while doing your homework the IB curriculum homework would be done in 1-2 hours. It is also enjoyable as I am in a forces in motion class (physics). Which counts as our 5th period class. Instead the other tracks B,C, and D recurve basic fifth periods sub as introduction to desktop. Our teachers are great and helpful. It may be tedious, but it is worth it in the long run as one of my friend's older brother in B track fell behind when entering high school. IB goes faster than normal and also makes you feel like you've accomplished something. The best teacher overall in my opinion is Mr. Stevens as he adds humor and teaches while keeping a balance of strictness making it a fun learning environment. I'm just learning Spanish now and my teacher for it is great. He helps us understand and teaches us at a reasonable speed. If you were to enroll at CFIS (which you should) join the IB team, but your grades may drop if you do not give effort. Thank you for taking some of your time to read this comment. -An Unnamed Student
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2014

My child spent 7th grade at this school in IB. Overall, the IB program was great for my daughter. It may not be the incredible program that I expected from the informational meeting (it s very unorganized and the fundraising tends to be excessive for the return) but it still offers the best intermediate education. While many of the teachers are simply something special and add to the education in an incredible way, it is overshadowed by the 7th grade World History teacher who is unreasonable in her strictness, consistently vague in her instruction, and often deals with the students in a manner that is consistent with bullying. The principal stands by her teachers, right or wrong, and so it feels (to me as the parent), that education and the fair issue of a grade is secondary to the comradery of the staff. My daughter is well behaved and has never had issues with her teacher until this year. She has had 15 teacher in her educational career, and the only time I had to step in to stand up for her was this year; two issues with this same teacher. The rumor is that she has been moved to B track but really she's more suited to be a prison guard than a teacher of children.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2014

NOT A GREAT SCHOOL!!! This school is run like a prison, especially the IB PROGRAM. I greatly discourage parents from entering their child into this ridiculous program no matter how intelligent they are. My son is very intelligent but he did not do well in the IB program. The expectations are extremely unrealistic for a middle school child. To be successful in such a program requires no social life, and forget about extracurricular activities. Many of the teachers use intimidation, and humiliation as a technique to get the children to do as they say. One particular World History teacher is praised by other staff members for her intimidating and strict personality. Beware of the IB history teacher! I always believed teachers are suppossed to protect, encourage and show a little compassion to our children, instead some CFIS teachers use their authority to bullly children. Do not expect the staff to protect your child from student who are also bullies.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2013

I absolutely love CFIS! I went to this school when I was a child (as well as my husband, who I met there in 8th gr.) and CHOSE to send my child here. With CFIS being an open district school you make the choice if you want your child to go there. For those who are unhappy...you made a choice. I would of fought for my daughter to attend if necessary. My daughter enjoys all of her teachers, is an honor roll student, and looks forward to going to school every morning. I have 3 more children that will also be attending CFIS. I love the structure, the strict dress code helps avoid fights about clothing choice (if you can't wear it to school, then I'm not buying it), and they have lockers which teaches responsibility for their property.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2012

I am very happy with CFIS. This is my child's first year and so far so good. The staff is great, especially my child's spanish teacher who is always so patient, helpful and sympathetic. The curriculum is challenging and for the most part, I don't believe the school is too strict. I do believe children need structure, since this will help the kids prepare for the business / corporate world. In the beginning of the year, I felt bad for my child who had to lug around several heavy books and they had very limited time to go from class to class, but now some of the classrooms are providing classroom copies, so the poor kids don't have to carry as much books. Thanks for making it easier for the kids!
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2012

If your child needs extra help with academics and is a discipline problem then CFIS would be a great choice for parents. The place is run like a prison and there is little respect for the students. My child was miserable here and we are going to our home school at the end of this year.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2012

I believe that CFIS is a great school. You have a group of staff members, not just teachers that have always greeted me with a smile while I have been on their campus. Our kids are different from the other kids in the middle school. I believe this because I think the CFIS staff holes higher expectations for their students.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2012

The review below is slanderous and without merit. To suggest that a WEB teacher, who is also a national trainer, would ever encourage or engage in bullying is ludicrous. All of the teachers at CFIS are highly qualified and CFIS has one of the lowest discipline statistics in the district, partly due to the dress code and strict rules parents sign when their students enroll, but mostly because of qualified, caring teachers. Any teacher who is not qualified or encouraging such ridiculous claims like bullying, would of course be dealt with swiftly by the administration or the district office.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2011

This is my son's first year at CFIS. So far, we are really please. My son is in the IB program. His grades have greatly improved. I contribute this to the great teachers and the structure. The homework though is a little over the top. sometimes takes him 3 hours to complete. Give the kids a break. overall, very pleased
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2011

My son went to 7th grade and just started 8th grade here. We had to win a lottery to get him in AND we drive him across town. We're fed up - the "thug kids" that go to this school (from the not-so-great neighborhood) overshadows the academic program. We've had problems with bullying both years, problems with teachers being unprofessional, etc. We've talked to counselors and the principal multiple times and we walked away feeling like it was "them against us". We're pulling out immediately.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2011

Sounds like the parent who wrote "CFIS has the worst counselor" is one of those parents who blames everyone, but their child when their child is disruptive! Your child SHOULD be quiet in class! Quit enabling your troublesome child and thank you for pulling him out of CFIS so the rest of the students can have a better learning environment. CFIS is a great school with outstanding faculty who do care about the students!
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2011

CFIS has the worst student counselor. The one I have dealt with was unprofessional. The teacher's are one sided. My child has been to Lincoln since 1st grade and has had a wonderful experience. I do not recommend CFIS for junior high unless your child is absolutely perfect and quiet in class. I have had to pull my son from the school because of the emotional abuse from staff's lack of support.