Courreges (Roch) Elementary School

18313 Santa Carlotta Street

School District

Fountain Valley Elementary
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Fountain Valley Elementary 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 October 23, 2021

Agree with previous review. I went to Courreges for fourth and fifth too, 2/3 years ago, the year the pandemic started. In fourth, my teacher was nice, didn’t really learn too much, and I learned more in third grade at my previous school in HB. Also, like the other review said, there was definitely unresolved drama. In fifth grade, I had the same teachers as the previous one. Even though the math and science teacher was my official teacher, the ELA and history one was my favorite. You could tell her passion in the subjects, she went above and beyond the fifth grade standards, teaching us eighth grade standards. Although she did make us memorize many works such as the Preamble to the Constitution or the whole Gettysburg Address, it definitely improved my long term memory which is helpful for some classes in middle school where you need to memorize speeches or presentations. I learned so much and I use her writing techniques. The math and science teacher was alright, she taught what we needed to learn nothing more. However, she did get engaged and married the same year I was in her class and she managed to get a boba shop to come. Along with that, she quickly set up a online learning method on zoom, much quicker than the whole district did. But because of the ELA/History teacher, I became more than prepared for middle school.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2019

We love Courreges, the staff and the principal. It is a very active school with tons of activities for the kids and the PTA is definitely one of the best in our area. They encourage the kids to be kind and really strive on helping each child be their best. We are from the Seattle area and we were in the #2 rated school district in WA state and Courreges tops those schools by miles.
Submitted by other on June 11, 2019

Our experience has been mediocre at best.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2018

Courreges is a great school. Teachers are highly trained. My child is learning so much. The staff is very friendly. The front office staff is so good to the kids. They make it a point to call the kids by their names and ask how they are. The parents look out for each other’s kids and are very involved at the school. Our principal (Mr.C) is amazing! He is such a great model for the kids. I love Friday flag ceremonies! Overall a Great experience!
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2017

Had multiple children at this school. Will admit the teachers K-4th are solid. 5th grade was a horrible experience. Bullying is not properly or effectively dealt with in this school. Also, if a parent donates goods or volunteers their time, they seem to get what they want, including the teacher that they want for their child...even placing their child in the GATE class when the child isn't GATE identified. We had an ongoing bullying/harassment problem with a particular family at this school to where it was documented by teachers that we were not to be placed in the same class with them. In 5th grade when our child was placed in the same class and we addressed this with the teacher and principal we were shocked by the disregard for our child's safety and how they tried to ignore and minimize our concerns. We ended up withdrawing out of this school after spending many years there with our kids, volunteering and being active. A school should care enough about their student's safety and well-being. We later heard stories on how the year went in the grades we'd have had kids in and realized we really dodged a bullet. The 3 star rating is for the positive experiences we had prior to 5th grade.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2015

Courreges is a wonderful school! It is evident that the school has made tremendous progress over the last couple of years because my experience with the teachers and administration has been outstanding. The teachers, support staff, and principal are truly dedicated to the students and the overall positive spirit of the school. Each Friday, the schools holds a special Friday Flag Salute where they honor a "Student of the Week" from each class, as well as celebrate student birthdays. The PTA is heavily involved in raising funds for field trips, assemblies, special programs, and extra money for classroom enhancements. Courreges also has an abundance of technology (iPads and Chromebooks) to support classroom learning. My family is thrilled with Courreges and we would highly recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2014

I agree with previous statement! My son's 5th grade teacher has made every effort to avoid any communication with me; out of fear of demanding her to do her job! My son's resource teacher mrs. Gauldin has been more invested in my son's education plan than anyone else on campus.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2013

This school is going downhill quickly. They higher people that are not good at their jobs. The children are smarter than the people teaching them. Some of the teachers here don't care about teaching at all, it's just an easy paycheck and a stepping stone to something else. The awards that these terrible teachers get are a joke.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2013

My son has been attending school here since K, and is now in 3rd grade. The secretary is very rude and makes people feel that she is doing them a favor by addressing their requests. Being friendly is not part of her job description. The rest of the staff, including the principal Mr. Christensen, are wonderful, and try to address students' needs and parents' requests. I don't understand why Fountain Valley only provides GATE classes starting in 4th grade? The teachers are already trained and it shouldn't cost the district any extra money to provide a challenging curriculum for advanced students.Good school; expect that you will need to be VERY INVOLVED with your child's education. Most teachers (Belsito, Ostovarpour, Melcer, Workman) expect parents to either read daily with their kids, volunteer, and/or sign off daily on homework. You should of course also practice time tables and spelling words daily. If you expect the teacher to do all the teaching, then don't send your child to this school.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2012

My child is scheduled to start this September and I just want to say that, already, I have had 3 unacceptable incidents with the one of the office staff as well. She was demanding, rude and pleased that her office was closed twice before the time she stated (one of the days I left work early on purpose and arrived 15 minutes before I was told they would be). She seems to think she rules the roost. I wonder how aware the principal is of her behavior (he was not visibly present on the days I have been in)? Since we moved specifically to be in this district, I hope that this behavior improves. The atmosphere and impression of any institution is set on the image, impression and treatment given by the 'greeters'. Right now, I do not like how I have been treated so far and I had better not find out that my child is being spoken to/treated in that manner if she needs the services the SUPPORT STAFF are expected to provide.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2012

This is a fantastic school. My daughter has been in Courreges since kindergarten and is now in second grade. The quality of the teachers is phenomenal and that is reflected in the academic achievement of the children in this school. The classroom atmosphere is focused on studying and also on nurturing the individuality of each child. The teachers do a tremendous job of paying attention to every student in the classroom even if they have over 30 kids per class. The school has a great library, access to technology and teaching resources and because there are so many great parents who are willing to help, Courreges has thrived even in light of deep statewide budget cuts. My son is in a private pre-school and I cannot wait for him to go to Courreges next year. This school is much better than the private institutions and our children are very fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of the Courreges family.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2012

My child is finishing 2nd year. I agree the school can definitely benefit fr a nicer front staff. Maybe it's just her strong personality; after all, she is the 1st person you see before entering the school. My son will be going to Newland school for pre-K, the adm staff is sweet. The teachers, favoritism is absolutely present, for kids whom parents volunteer. I m a PTA member, a FT working parent, fr the bottom of my heart, I applause those parents who able/willing to help out in the classroom. Fr a couple of school events I attended, I can see that they genuinely care about the kids. I guess it s okay that their kids get a little more attention fr the teachers; however, kids are very smart, they can sense that. My daughter loves school and her teachers. I am happy. As for fund raiser, every shool has it. I participate as much as I can (more so since I can t donate my time in the class room). The school gets lots of $ from the Jog-a-thon. However, your child can t go in to the prize room if he/she does not meet a limit of $150. We managed to raise about $100 for the last 2 years, but it s hard to tell your child why she does not get to go to the prize room.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2012

I also had a terrible experience with this school. The front office staff is unbelievable! I was spoken to rudely on the phone and in person. How can a Principal allow this to happen? How are the teachers allowed to speak to our children when we're not there? I know of atleast 5 other parents who had the same experience. The kindergarten teachers seemed qualified but not too compassionate.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2011

My son has been going to this school since he started Kindergarten. I am amazed at the input I have read so I needed to voice what I have seen at this school. I do not work so am able to help in the classroom. I have been so pleased with all the involvement from other parents and he has always loved his teachers. I could not be more pleased with this school and feel so thankful that he is there. The negative input that is bringing this school down has nothing to do with the teaching quality of the teachers. This is a great school!!
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2011

I submitted my child's application based on API scores, reviews & meeting the principal. Her knowledge & advice was amazing. However my child was an interdistrict transfer & my experience was awful. The district was helpful but when it came to the admin staff at this school they were rude & unfriendly. I spoke to a particular individual on numerous occasions & she was consistently rude. I gave her the benefit of the doubt that she was having a bad day... but no, the treatment she gave me was consistently disgusting. She kept telling me that they are full and unlikely that there would be space. At one point we had an offer on a home in the district. I called to check the availability, she didn't know who I was, but she knew I would be living near the school. Then she was super nice and said they have not turned a resident away. I was shocked that someone discriminated so easily. I couldn't take the chance not having a space so I registered my child in private school. She called me in August to say the school has space. It gave me great pleasure to tell her that I don't need the space & I am so relieved that I don't have to speak to her or see her everyday at school.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2011

Overall, we were happy with the School, until we found out that one of our child's teachers was playing favorites towards some children of PTA parents. On the other hand she was ignoring and awfully unfair and very impatient toward some other students. Our child sensed the unfair treatment by that teacher and was greatly affected by it. Fortunately, our child was treated fairly by the other teacher, who was there for the beginning of the week and always took initiative to solve problems among the youngsters.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2011

Mixed feelings on this one. Plan to spend plenty of time with your student after school. If you do not have the time bite the bullet, forgo the extended daycare at the school and go strait to a private school for the personal attention to your student. The parents here are warm and friendly. I did not participate in the PTA. The front desk and office manager is the worst experience of all..Poor listening skills and rude.The principle seems OK and communicates well with your questions and the teacher this year was great, however absent a great deal. I will be going private school next year for more personal attention to my student,longer class time and better focus,return on the fundraising.You are like a cash register at this at school