Cox (James H.) Elementary School

17615 Los Jardines East

School District

Fountain Valley Elementary
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:26
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 February 19, 2024

My child started kindergarten this year and I was impressed with the school staffs. Caring, well prepared, and supportive.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2023

Love Cox Elementary! My daughter attended this school and my son is currently attending and the love going to school. The teachers are amazing and you can really tell they love teaching the children. I love that they host activities to be able to interact with others and they are always fun for the kids. The curriculum is diverse which in my opinion is great.
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2021

If I could rate as 0 stars, I definitely would!!!!!! My daughter’s first year at Cox as a kindergarten student. Awful kindergarten teacher who bullied and yelled at her just 2 weeks after school started. The principal was completely bias, didn’t care about what happened and only listened to the teacher! All they care about is the school ratings and nothing about your child!
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2019

So far, 5 stars. Overall the school is a positive, welcoming, and provides a great learning environment for my child. Its truly a neighborhood school, very diverse, beautiful campus, and a great experience so far.
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2018

2/5 because students aren't treated like individuals and academic achievement is the only concern.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2017

I'm felling discriminated at this school. However the teacher is so great. Except for staff others.
Submitted by other on October 06, 2016

Although my ratings can be change and I thought to myself... Oh my child will only stay in her classroom for one year. What harm will it do to her. It's only been a little over a month and it's been such a nightmare with her teacher. Based on my gut instinct looking up this teacher who was about to be my child's 1st grade, why didn't they hire someone who can actually teach. I have to deal with lack of communications and insults on a personal level. I did had a wonderful Kindergarden teacher for my child and I thought, did I lucked out as I was actually proud that my child goes there. I funded the PTO and gave as much donations as I could. I also have the Kindergarden teacher a nice gift as she was just as great to my child as much as FV Montesorri. Good luck to the parents who tries to work with certain teachers and good luck to those who tries to reach out to Mr. Ham for help when you're feeling hopeless. I honestly feel very disappointed. A message to Mr Ham. We do pay taxes for our children to attend here and it is up to us parents to further more fund to the school but do you even care? To other parents: please do your researches and also who will be your child's teacher. It can do a lot of damages. I spend 2 hours everyday after school for her homework and reading only to be insulted that my child is not doing her homework. Why won't the teacher check her daily online work? Does that even matter? Some teachers won't even get back to you because the truth is they won't care nor care to work with you. Is this how the public system works?
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2015

My son came to Cox in 1st grade. He has had wonderful teachers that have gone out of their way to insure his needs are met. Mr. Ham has had a big impact on my son, always greets him by name. I have always been able to have any questions answered by teachers or Mr. Ham. I am so pleased to have my son here and have another child starting next year.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2015

Cox School has terrific teachers and programs. Each year the school offers after school intervention classes for the students. The principal is everywhere and teachers take great pride in the climate and culture of the school. I had 4 of my children successfully move on from Cox School. Cox Rocks!
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2015

Terrific activities and events held at this school. Multicultural Day, Jog A Thon, Sports Leagues for students, Science Week Camp for Upper Grade students. Students provided opportunities to become leaders at Cox. Big School with a big heart for students.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2014

The principal Patrick Ham is very insensitive, he looks over your shoulders, he talks like if owns the school. He doesn't even remember the face of the name of the students, which shows little respect. He could have a meeting with parents and a week after he doesn't even recall having that meeting. He sounds auto-sufficient and careless. Conversely, I had a good experience with my kid second year teacher. Good look if your are looking for a transfer, that Mr. Ham will not extend his hands or show any interest in helping you. If you go to his office you better grab a chair a have a sit because he won't even bothers in inviting you to have sit, lack of courtesy.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2014

We have two children at Cox since kindergarten; one just graduated 5th. Principal Ham stands at curbside in the morning and was involved with traffic flow improvements. Plays classical music in announcements. Assembled flag-football tournaments. Weekly voicemails about events and to provide hearty breakfast on test days. Speeches to kids on importance of becoming good people; tells student how proud he is and warns parents the perils of summer slide . Have witnessed him pull a brat aside and speaking to him like a good parent. Constantly moving around got his finger on the pulse. These are a examples how Principal Ham thinks outside of the box . No question that he goes beyond his responsibilities and if these qualities do not make him outstanding, I don t know what the benchmarks ought to be. Your problem child is not the sole responsibility of school administrators, teachers nor the state. Words are free, criticize away but as a parent, take some responsibility because there's good chance you will eventually run out of people to blame.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2014

The Principal Patrick Ham is very much against thinking out of the box. If a child feels they need to be heard he ignorores them and encourages his Staff to do the same. Patrick Ham expects the parents to have the children enrolled at this school to be seen not heard. He insults Parents on a regular basis as too not making their children into the cookie cutter kids. If your child is expressive about their rights find a different school because you the parent will be called to the principals office on a regular basis. This principal has NO respect for working parents!!! Good luck if you are a single working Parent with a child that is to attend this school.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2013

Cookie cutter school looking for cookie cutter students. Quiet, wall flowers that don't ask questions, please apply.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2013

*** TRANSFERS BEWARE. This school accepts all transfer requests so that they have a full roster. They look excellent- on paper. Our family lives on the boundary between the GG and FV School District, but since our after school program was next to this school, we requested an intra district transfer. Yes, my son isn't an angel. He had a rough time transitioning to Kindergarten. However, our interactions quickly went south, when we requested a speech evaluation for our child. Within two weeks, the "caring" principal demanded a behavior contract for our child (which he had my son sign, without his parents being in attendance). I was amazed on how smoothly he rejected every single proposal I made; he had already made up his mind that he didn't want us attending this school. We emailed the superintendent to see if this was the correct procedure, and we were told that someone would get back to us. They didn't, and I doubt they ever will. Thanks Cox, for letting us know, early on what matters to you: your funding and your test scores. Our children's education- not so much.