John Murdy Elementary School

14851 Donegal Drive

School District

Garden Grove Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Garden Grove 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 parent on April 08, 2023

This school is amazing although there are some troublemakers. My friends are amazing!!
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2022

This school is a amazing, my son name Jayden is in the 6th grade now and has been doing superb in this school.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2020

I love everything about this school from the principal ( Mrs. Griffith is outstanding) to the teachers and staffs. Even with online distance learning the school is very well prepared and sent out clear instructions very early on for parents to prepare.
Submitted by other on December 17, 2015

I was excited when I first had my son go to Murdy. After a few months of having him go there, I was very disappointed, especially after the first conference. The 2nd grade teacher my son had was not motivating or encouraging him. It seems to make him discouraged. I feel that she expects too much from a 7 yrs old. I also feel that she didn't take the time to understand her students, or try to find ways to motivate them. My son comes home frustrated because he doesn't know or understand how to do his work. Nowadays, teachers aren't trying to teach the kids.
Submitted by other on April 11, 2014

I honestly LOVE this school. This has been my first year in Garden Grove District & I have to say, I'm enjoying my time. I love the teachers here. They're so kind & helpful! One thing I wish they would change though is the playground for grades 1-6. As a student, I was very disappointed when I first saw it. I personally am OK with the principal, she is strict yet kind. The events are so fun here! We have Winter Wonderland & Spring Fling which is awesome! This year, we have recently come up with a fundraiser called the Candy Dance Raffle, and the whole school participates.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2013

One of the best schools they are helpful and they are available at all times.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2013

90% of the teachers at this school are great, but positive leadership is lacking and the principal needs to get off her high horse and stop acting like a diva. She does not participate in any school events like dressing up for Halloween, Tet festival or anything that would require her to give up her daily uniform of tight pants and shirts. Since the new principal came to this school alot of great teachers have left or have been replaced.
Submitted by other on November 18, 2011

I LOVE MY SCHOOL COMPLETELY! I seriously never want to leave this school. I have been here for 7 yrs and I love everyone :) Starting with monthly ending with Boy and girls club , EVERYTHING is great. There are a lot of students that absolutely love murdy, i know no one who doesn't love murdy! MURDY FOR LFE <3 MFL
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2011

Absolutely no doubt! John Murdy Elementary school is a happy place for my kid. The Principal is a wonderful person and all teachers and staffs are so well loved, dedicated, and well trained at their jobs. I am very happy dropping off my son there every morning knowing that he will be having a great time learning and playing. Yes, I know because I ask him every day about school. I think we all want our children to get the best of everything. The PTO is designed to get parents involved with school and find the best way to make it better. Our children's education is also our jobs, not just school alone. The more we get involved, the better our children are doing. For last few years, the economy is not going well, and all schools experienced heavy cut from their budgets. I bet that had very negative effects on how school manage their programs as well as maintenance. However, I have to say this school has been doing great despite all that hardship. What else can you expect? Even in a hard time like this, this school has managed to do very well. Check the scores! Great jobs! I love this school because my kid is very happy learning here. Everyday! :)
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2011

This school use to be such a wonderful school when Mr. Patterson was there, but ever since he has left it has pretty much gone to the dogs. The teachers are like zombies who are afraid to speak their minds because of the fear of losing their jobs. When my older son attended this school it was such a happy and positive experience for him. I want my younger kids to have the great experinces in elementary that their older brother did, but with this new principal its going to be a struggle because all she cares about is what the school looks like on paper and not the well being of the young children. Alot of parents feel the same way as I do and because of this have transferred their kids to neighboring schools. My daughters teacher actually told me that enrollment is down this year at the school and that the pto even resigned.
Submitted by teacher on August 21, 2011

The previous reviewer must have an axe to grind with the principal. My experience with the principal has been very positive. She is polite, respectful, and fair. She supports the staff--those that don't talk behind her back like the last reviewer. Her appearance is professional, and she always has something nice to say. She tries to make everybody happy, which is almost impossible. I cannot say enough nice things about the principal, and I find it to be in very poor taste when someone makes disparaging remarks about their former boss on a website like this. I say Murdy is a great school with a wonderful principal.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2011

I currently have 2 children that go to school here. They will not be returning this fall. The current principal is horrible. She is very unprofessional and not a good leader. She walks around with an attitude and a "I am better than everyone" complex. She does not treat the teachers or the students well and that is very apparent to all of us parents. She wears inappropriate clothes that are either too tight or see through. She speaks English with poor grammar and she does not speak Vietnamese well either. Children should not be exposed to this woman. Since she has been at this school, parents have been unhappy, the community in general is unhappy with her leadership skills. All she does is yell. The district must have been desperate when they hired her. I do not feel comfortable sending my kids here. I do not recommend this school and if you do have children that go here, pull them out now!!!!!