Oak Creek Elementary School

1 Dovecreek

School District

Irvine Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Irvine 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 February 25, 2025

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Oak Creek Elementary! From the moment we joined this school, we have been impressed by the dedication, professionalism, and kindness of the entire staff. The teachers are truly passionate about education, creating a nurturing and inspiring learning environment where children thrive.The curriculum is well-structured, engaging, and designed to foster both academic excellence and personal growth. My child has made incredible progress and enjoys going to school every day. The school also places great emphasis on character development, teaching important values like respect, teamwork, and responsibility.The administration is always approachable and responsive, ensuring that both students and parents feel heard and supported. The extracurricular activities, events, and overall school community make it an enriching place for children to grow academically and socially.We are beyond grateful to be part of this wonderful school and highly recommend it to any parent looking for a top-notch education in a warm and supportive environment. Thank you to all the amazing teachers and staff for your dedication and hard work!
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2023

We have been at Oak Creek for five years and since Chris Weber came in as the new principal beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, the school environment has definitely shifted in a more positive way. Dr. Weber is responsive and engaging and available not only to students but to parents and by extension so is the assistant principal, Dr. Michelle Hulley. I have been impressed with them and I am glad they are on board. With that said, the school is overcrowded. The ratio of students to teachers is at least 30:1 so unless your student is already high achieving, there is a good chance they will struggle in the traditional classroom environment here. We need more teachers to keep class numbers lower and therefore better support academic progress. We are fortunate to have a lot of cultural diversity because of the area and I appreciate that my children are learning about other holidays and cultures and hearing other languages regularly. The PTA is generally very well ran and financially well supported but is quite clique-ish so keep that in mind if you are hoping to get involved. Unless you are in the inner circle of this PTA clique, you will not be invited or included in anything even when you try to volunteer. And aside from the PTA there are no other opportunities to be involved at the school. Even the room parents are chosen by the PTA. It’s like high school all over again and they are the mean girls.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2022

Ample opportunity for individual growth and social interaction. The school just completed construction of a new music room and covered lunch area. Oak Creek is in the center of the community and within walking distance to many residences. The staff seems to genuinely care about the students overall experience and I would highly recommend Oak Creek Elementary School.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2019

Our child has been there since 3rd grade and finds it racially diverse and supportive. It could benefit from more personalized attention (perhaps via tutoring and individualized homework).
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2016

The teachers are generally above-average. The principal lacks responsiveness and basic professional courtesy when addressing parents.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2016

"Excellent school.My kids are here since kindergarten and they have wonderful memories to share.The foundation laid by the talented teachers of Oak Creek Elementary will help my kids and other kids at this school to succeed. The academic standards are high at this school with GATE program for advanced learners, Science Lab, Technology and preparation for common core test
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2015

Oak Creek elementary may be academically a fine school, but from a social perspective, the school is hostile to any child that is in the least bit different or socially awkward. If your child is not entirely docile in the classroom, they will seek to mitigate and constrain the behavior, mostly in a thoughtless manner that demonstrates no consideration of where the issues are actually coming from. The result is an environment that is overtly hostile to children who do not 'fit in'.Also (and related), there is almost zero effort put into addressing the needs of advanced students, and this is especially true in the lower grade levels. Oak Creek seem instead to focus their efforts on the average kid, and to the special needs of children who lag behind. But if your child is advanced, you can forget about the school doing anything at all to provide an enriched environment for your child. Worse, if your gifted child is prone to boredom, they will brutalize him / her with constant correction, but they won't address the underlying reason for the behavior. If your gifted child is socially awkward and has trouble fitting in, they will pathologize it and conduct interventions that while ostensibly meant to help your child, are in actuality targeted at simply expunging a behavior they find troubling. The end result is, for a bright student, the obvious communication that the child is broken, wrong, and sub-standard. In other words, the un-insightful focus the school puts on behavior actually causes more psychosocial pain. And when that pain arises, they won't do anything to actually address your child's feelings of isolation and pain. Other schools have tools like recess buddies, friendship benches, and the like to deal with kids who are feeling lonely and isolated. Oak Creek does NONE of this - they simply correct and admonish. If you are looking for a school that will care for your child's heart as much as their intellect... Oak Creek is NOT it.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2015

I love this school because, unlike many other Irvine schools that are heavy on the academics, this is a well balanced, fun place to learn. The kids are all happy, well adjusted, and the parents well involved. There is the odd bullying issue, the odd bit of trouble, but nothing more than normal. When you get 900+ kids together there is bound to be the odd thing that crops up. All the teachers we have experienced have been wonderful, but if we had to name names - Mrs. Rosebrough is truly amazing, and Mrs. King has an almost unearthly ability to get the best out of each and every student without stressing them out! I greatly appreciate the music teacher this year (strings) who has given my daughter so much confidence in herself.The principal is pleasant and caring, and the kids seem to adore him! What`s not to love, with Toons at Noon and Pizza Parties?! The rewards system that encourages good behavior is wonderful!The only downside - as someone else has mentioned - is the loss of the fantastic science lab teacher from last year, who seems to have been replaced by someone the kids are terrified of! Big shame. You don`t get the best out of kids by intimidating them. But other than that - great school. Even the front office staff - Stacey and Cathy - are lovely.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2015

Excellent staff , amazing teachers my kids have learned a lot at this school ,I just love it..
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2014

We had wonderful year with the 4th grade teachers. They were fun, creative & attentive. The science teacher (who has now moved to another school) was such a great teacher. She made science so interesting that the kids couldnt wait for their next classes & they loved spending their recess/lunch time with the teacher in the lab. The 5th grade teacher and the new science teacher are the opposite of our 4th grade teachers. I am so disappointed. They yell, they swear in class!, they give punishment without explaining what the kids have done wrong (at the end the kids learn nothing). When the students ask why, the teacher would say "Go away!". When the student lets the teacher know about something, the answer is "Don't care". A good teacher is supposed to encourage his/her student & display positive examples to his/her students, and unfortunately this is not happening in my child's class. If these teachers are not happy with their jobs, they should do themselves a favor and quit! One bad apple spoils the bunch! We can't wait for this school year to end quickly..
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2014

I totally agree with other reviews about the principal. When you want to meet Mr.Grasso with all your concern, he's gonna close his ears. There are kids who bully other kids but their parents hardly get notice about their kids's behavior. Teachers just expect them to be OK and do not see their behavior. I left the school 2years ago and I think I made a great decision. So happy that my kids are now in far much better educational and social school enviroment!!!
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2014

This School Is Excellent in every manner. All teachers are very good and they always encourage kids to excel in academics, music, sports, arts and technology. There are wonderful events throughout the year. Teachers and principal put their 100% efforts to make this school the best and as a parent we should encourage our kids to learn the best from this school. Oak Creek Wise Owl Rocks!
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2014

I am very happy sending my kids in Oak Creek Elementary because this school excels in everything like academic, sports, music, arts, science and health. All teachers are very good and parents can easily reach out to teachers and principal about any question regarding their child or school, even any email sent is responded the same day. There are wonderful yearly events which let parents to participate with their kids. This year with introduction to Common Core standards my kids found the assignments tough but later it was interesting with the support of their highly skilled and very friendly teachers:) I always tell my kids to grab whatever teacher teaches in class with their hands and mind open and they love going to Oak Creek Elementary!
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2014

I will give 10 rating for this school, as in last 2 years I have seen drastic change in this school. My kids are in GATE programme and are doing excellent in their studies, sports, music and the credit goes to all very hard working, dedicated teachers as well as school principal whom kids love and respect alot. I will say if this school gets support of more parent volunteers then Oak Creek Elementary will be one of the best schools in Orange County.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2014

My son is finishing second grade at Oak Creek, and I am so happy I transferred him here! He has had dramatic growth in his learning this year and I couldn't be more pleased.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2013

This school is horrible. Do not send your child to this school if you want results. There are teachers at this school that do not care about the students. Alot of the staff are biased when it comes to treating all of the students in a fair manner. This school is horrible. You will not get the results that you want from a school if you send your child here.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2013

Oak Creek is a superb school. From what I have observed, the principal is a wonderful example of what a leader should be. The office staff is intelligent and helpful. We had an amazing, amazing first grade teacher. She was more than you could ever hope for in a teacher. She showed wonderful caring and respect for each parent and child. There are so many excellent things at this school -and you won't even know about all of them until you attend. It's amazing. Parents, just remember to appreciate your school. Every school has places where it can improve. The important thing is to always remember is to be a helpful support, no matter what the situation. All of the parents that I have met there have been intelligent and care deeply for their children. We love you Oak Creek!!
Submitted by parent on July 28, 2013

I can't tell you how disappointed I am with Oak Creek. Ever since the new principal began the school has gone down hill at such an alarming and rapid pace. He has eliminated vital school reading programs and ignored the concerns many parents. Concerns and conversations with the principal are disappointing at best. He tells you what you want to hear but his actions are few to non existent. Classes are packed to capacity and have so many children behavioral problems. The teachers are forced to spend so much of their time redirecting misbehaving children. They have great teachers but the teachers can only do so much with such poor leadership. It is incredibly frustrating to be across the street from your school and not want to attend it.
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2013

This school has fallen short of our expectations. The principal has carved out the GATE program and does not address the needs of children bored in the classroom or having to deal with so many children with behavioral problems. Four, five and sometimes 6 kids with behavioral issues in a classroom is NOT acceptable and not fair to the kids who come to school to learn. The new principal does not address this rather, ignores it. There is more emphasis on special ed programs than kids who are over achieving as there is NO program for them. They get to sit bored in the rooms, frustrated with ill behaved kids with issues.
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2013

This school fails many of its students. It is fine for average or just above average kids. However, if your child is on either end of the spectrum, the child's needs are not met. The principal refuses to address parent concerns; he does everything his way whether anyone else in the world agrees or not. Other administration members are just as bad or worse. One thing positive I can say is that the teachers care and do try their best with what they are given.