Fern Drive Elementary School

1400 West Fern Drive

School District

Fullerton Elementary
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Fullerton 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 other on May 10, 2024

Fern Drive is a wonderful school, if your child has zero types of learning disabilities or has an outstanding home life. The staff cannot seem to point out forms of abuse? I had went to this school, and unfortunately was under an abusive circumstance at the time. I had little to no sleep, a crammed home life, and the teachers did little to nothing but send me to the on-site counsellor. I remember seeing a girl, who had eventually opened up to me about her own abuse, get put outside of a teacher’s classroom, absolutely bawling her eyes out because she couldn’t finish her work at home because of her circumstances. She had apparently gotten her lunch break and recess taken away, which from my understanding is a rather cruel thing. The principal is wonderful, but the staff is one of the worst groups I’ve seen in a while.
Submitted by other on February 05, 2023

I do NOT recommend this school at all! They do Not stop bullies ever after it's been reported multiple time. I was even told by the principal that it's my son's perspective on the situation and I should have some understanding that the other student has a difficult home life. So they refuse to stop the bullies. Staff members see it happen and laugh or say just ignore it. This is what's wrong with schools today!
Submitted by other on May 17, 2021

As a former student at this school, I value this school highly because of most of the traits it has, the teachers encourage students to strive and try their best, gives us homework that is actually worth learning, and they focus on learning very much, we learn a lot by just an hour, we learn Mathematics, Literature, PE, and arts. Just by this school alone, I am a very prestigious reader and won several awards by this school, the local library and I am above the average level of 6th grade students while just in 2nd grade alone, and once again, all by this school.Now let me explain the traits in more detail.The homework is actually worth learning, as I've mentioned before.The teachers and principal respect us, and we respect them back, so if we both are respected, that would mean no bullies.There are seldom visits to the principals office, so no trouble making. The school encourages us to work hard and they make a strong impact and shaped who I am today. This affects character and leadership.As I've mentioned before, there is no bullying, therefore there are seldom visits to the principals office. There are rarely any fights.For Learning differences, students who come from different countries and don't know English, there is a service where a teacher teaches you English. There is also another service where students who have mental disabilities, most commonly ADHD, the teacher can solve that by teaching things that are very easy to understand and can help students move on.I would recommend enrolling, this school is very superior overall.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2017

We love Fern Drive. Dr Julie Brandon is an excellent leader- she is kind, approachable and has a lot of dynamic ideas that the kids seem to love. I understand that Fern has had a few bad reviews a while ago, and lower test scores, but I truly believe that Dr Bandon will turn this around. I am excited to see this progress unfold. My daughter loves her teacher, and generally loves going to school everyday.
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2013

My children attend Fern Drive. In response to the last comment, there may have been unruly PTA parents who ran the school prior to the current principal arriving. Unfortunately, that issue is not relevant to the behavior of the current principal. I am not, nor would I ever become involved in the PTA. I have never "ruled" the school or taken advantage of any services offered by the school. However, when I have brought valid concerns to the principal because they directly involve my children, she responds as if I am trying to get something extra out of her. Not every issue is black and white. The answer to every single question cannot be no without any attempt at evaluation. She makes no effort for any type of accommodation or request, whether or not she's required to do so. I have experienced other schools. Successful principals do not behave this way. Her inexperience and rigid conduct exhibits great ineptitude for the very important position that she occupies.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2013

I am very happy with Fern Drive School and the current principal at Fern and would like to offer a different perspective from the last person who commented on this site. It is true that, when the current principal took over, changes were made. But they needed to be made. Although Fern has always been a strong academic school, rules and policies were not enforced by the prior principal, and a handful of parents were favored and ran the school. The current principal is always open to speaking with parents but does not always let them have their way when what is being asked is not in the best interest of all students. Those parents who no longer get preferential treatment by being allowed to break rules all the time may be unhappy, but those of us who want structure for our students couldn't be more pleased to have a principal who has the best interest of kids at heart, has a backbone, and will enforce rules.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2010

Fern Drive Elementary School and its staff including the front office and teachers, really care about the students. The cirriculum is very well structured and appropriate for the grade levels. The parents are also very dedicated.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2010

Fern Drive is a great little community school. We have very dedicated teachers, parents, and students.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2010

I love Fern Drive!!! My kids have been going there since my oldest was in kinder (he is now in 7th). I also attended Fern and it is a great school!!!
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2010

Fern Drive was recently made a Distinguished School. It deserves this honor and I am so so so honored to have my children attend this wonderful school. The teachers will drop everything to let you know how your child is doing. They care about every student. We also have some amazing parents who do so much for our students. We stop at nothing to get what we need for our children. Fern Drive...Distinguished!
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2010

The teachers, staff, students and parents are AWESOME!!
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2010

The school and parents make it a great community. Our teachers are wonderful and listen to what the parents say.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2010

Fern Drive School has dedicated teachers and staff that strive to make the school great. Fern Drive was recently awarded 'Distinguished School' because of all of the great faculty, staff and dedicated parents of the PTA that support the activities important to the students and the community.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2010

It has the best teachers and the best students. Everyone knows one another and all of the kids get along. Just a fun place to be before, during and after school!
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2010

I have had two sets of children at Fern Drive, my stepkids and my kids. Both sets have had wonderful experiences there and have received a quality education. The dedication of the teachers, the staff and the parents is what makes Fern Drive such a great school! I feel very fortunate that all of my kids have been able to attend this school!
Submitted by other on April 16, 2010

My grandchildren, ages 8 and 5 have been in this school 3 years. I believe this is a great school. The staff, teachers, office personnel and after school associates are the best. They all know each student personally. They are ready to help and encourage students to do their best. I appreciate all they do to help students. My daughter has been 'Room Mother' for the past 2 years and has enjoyed working with the staff. Thank you, 'Fern Drive' staff!!!!
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2010

If your child has no special needs and conforms easily to any given environment, I'm sure this is a great school. My daughter has had a difficult time adjusting, we believe, due to an underlying learning disability. Despite federal law which requires them to test for special needs after a parent requests, the school has not followed through, the principal claims to know nothing about it, and the classroom teacher told me to speak to our pediatrician about any concerns because it was out of her hands. Not a good feeling as a parent but even more disappointing as a teacher.
Submitted by student on September 23, 2008

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Submitted by other on August 27, 2008

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Submitted by parent on August 24, 2008

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