Springbrook Elementary School

4782 Karen Ann Lane

School District

Irvine Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
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 September 19, 2024

The kinder and prek teachers are great, and the front desk ladies are nice. But the teachers from 1st grade on are rigid and don't care about their students. Our kid was pushed out of this school because they were unwilling to find solutions to accommodate her special needs. Teaching is uninspired. Class sizes are 31+ with half of the students ELLS and teachers demonstrating zero knowledge of ESL pedagogy. Teachers are unempathetic and petty. Ditto for the parents. Except that they are also super competitive like everyone in Irvine.If your kid has special needs, forget it. The school's approach from the principal down is that your kid just needs to "get over it" and comply. There is no collaboration with parents, and the OT who is in charge of the special ed program is condescending and horrible. She demonstrated zero knowledge of our kid's conditions - ditto for the ERC. Yet they feel free to tell you what to do even though they do nothing themselves to find solutions. There are other ways and better ways to do things, but the people at this school can't be bothered to do anything different. We had to pull our kid out and homeschool them. This school literally ruined our life, and it was a terrible experience. If you can, run far from this school. In fact, if you're smart, stay away from Irvine as a whole.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2024

I had siblings that went to this school and then 3 of my children my last 2 that were in the special education program I had to not only take out of this school but withdraw completely from the district due to the continuing lack of communication especially when it comes to safety and very serious issues, the staff will lie and try to cover their behinds to make it seem like it is not what really happened or that big of a deal. They do not care about bullying its very brushed off. The IEPs are not being followed and the SAI aides are not properly trained for kids with higher needs. Please please do more research before just enrolling your kids
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2021

All our 3 sons graduated from this school. They have the best foundation and confidence. Thanks to all the teachers and staff.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2020

Good experience overall. My son is in special need class and he loves his teachers. He shows a lot of progress, but I would like them to have inclusive classes.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2018

We have had a great experience at this school. We actually find the new principal highly effective, someone you can respect. The school has never looked better. Families all get along, and students love going to after school events.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2018

We have had a great experience at Springbrook. Both my kids attend this school and both have great teachers who really love what they do. The support staff and leadership is also very attentive and helpful. Also Springbrook elementary is the only school in Orange county to offer a public Montessori option(lottery-based) for grades 1-6.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2017

We loved this school. My son adored both Kinder teachers! They really work hard with the children and communicate effectively with them and parents.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2014

This is our first year at Springbrook and the Kindergarten experience thus far has been really wonderful. My son adores his teacher, Ms. Lenz! She has a heart of gold and always has the best interest of the children at hand. She has thus far provided a wonderful environment and really knows how to teach children. We look forward to continuing our great experience at Springbrook. If Ms. Lenz is the sample for what all the teachers at Springbrook are, then we will have an awesome experience here.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2014

I have read a lot of negative reviews regarding the current principal. The old principal was a wimp and the parents ran over him. There is a no dog policy yet everyone used to bring their dogs and walk by him. I like the new principal, she is a professional. Maybe those that don't like her don't like the fact they can't run over her and run the school. My first child started there in 2001(graduated from WHS this year with over a 4.0) and my last child is starting second grade. The teachers are for the most part great and my children have gotten a good education at this school.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2013

I am happy to say we have had a different experience. Our son has a mild form of dyslexia and has been treated as the whole child in his class. he feels great about school and feels as accomplished as others in his class. This might be a function of his teacher but we are blessed to have her.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2013

This school is not very good with developmentally challenged kids, or kids with learning disabilities. My child didn't get the proper treatment in the classroom and he was given wrong and humiliating ways of 'discipline' when what he really needed was a more appropriate solution for his own, personal needs. A change of school was my solution. My child is now loving his new school where I was contacted the very first week of the school year to work with him the classroom. What a difference! Springbrook elementary might be an 'ok' school for typical kids, but not for learning disabilities/special needs kids. They don't seem to have the motivation to help them. I just didn't see anybody who cared. By the way, the person who said that a child left school alone and was nowhere to be found, is saying the true. He was a kindergartner, and I was there when teachers, principal, and his dad were looking for him. He was a special n child and it happened at pickup time, on a regular school day. My 2 stars go for the amazing parent involvement in volunteering, without them, this school would be worse. This is my own, personal experience with the school but I hope it's better for others.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2013

Springbrook has great teachers and staff but the Principal is a Type A personality. She tries to be nice, but it is very obvious that she is being fake. She does not take parents views or opinions into consideration. She may be nicer to parents that have high achieving children but she sure as heck has not been nice to the struggling kiddos. My child has been with the school as a struggling student for quite sometime now and Dr. Keeley's attitude has been very negative towards us. I don't know whether she is concerned about school rankings, test scores or just doesn't want to deal with academically weak children. Her attitude keeps me from volunteering as it becomes very uncomfortable to be around such a Type A personality.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2013

The previous post is right on -- this school has a lot of heart. In my experience the teachers have been great and the parents are caring and involved in the school at a healthy level. The post about the kindergartener who was "nowhere to be found" just isn't true. Parents and teachers alike were running after the child during an event which he chose to leave on his own accord. That's not the school's fault. And I don't understand the parent who gave the school a negative rating because they don't like the after-school program which has absolutely no affiliation with the school (other than being on school grounds). My child goes to the after-school child development center and loves it. This is a great school, and the negativity seems to come from those who have some seriously unrealistic expectations, particularly during a time when school funding was at an all-time low in the state. We are lucky to have our children attend such an outstanding school.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2013

Last year was our first year at Springbrook and I have never seen my son so happy to go to school every day. The environment at this school is extremely nurturing from top to bottom. The class work is challenging, the students are engaged and the parents I have met are involved and caring. This campus is old and could use some physical updating. There are newer and prettier schools in Irvine, but this one has a lot of heart.
Submitted by parent on July 14, 2013

This school needs to work a lot on all levels, from the Principal to the teachers, and everything in between. Our kids go there to learn, to be treated with respect, to learn with positive reinforcement, and to be safe. Instead, some of the teachers use outdated techniques, old ways to teach kids, from discipline to academics, and so on. They might have the best intentions to do the best job they can, but they sure need a little update on new ways, and positive methods to educate and discipline kids. What shocked me the most was to learn that supposedly a kindergarten student left school alone and was nowhere to be found. I then heard he had gone home alone (((((chills)))) I hope they work on these situations because frankly, I am concern on how next school year will be.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2013

I joined a school tour just today because we are new to the area and I am trying to get a feel for the schools before choosing what area to live in. I have read the previous comments on Springbrook includng those about the principal. Well, perhaps other people have had different experiences but I found her warm, humourous, knowledgeable and clearly passionate about education. Yes, she may like to be called "Doctor" - but then so would I if I had put all that effort into gaining my PhD! It looks like a fabulous school, the front office staff were smiley and welcoming, and this is definitely on my short list of "places to find a house"!
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2013

I had a spontaneous meeting with the principal last Friday after awards assembly. It was my first time talking to Dr. Keeley. She was approachable, gave me the time and felt like she listened to me. I am glad I approached her and she does care for her students!! I enjoy interacting with the teachers and staff too. They are friendly yet professional! Over all the school has safe and positive atmosphere.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2013

i like the school and the teachers are great. my son in TK and the program is so rich and valuable .
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2013

The school is ok. The academic aspects are great. The principal is rude and very condescending. She seems more concerned about being a " doctor" than listening to parents concerns. The teacher is nice and I appreciate her way of teaching.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2013

I'm constantly impressed with the leadership and academics of the school. This despite deminishing state resources. Sure, I wish the parents had more leadership involvement, but the Principal and teachers are amazing. My children love school and the environment is safe and genuine.