Vista Verde

6 Federation Way

School District

Irvine Unified
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
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 12, 2023

Recess and lunch breaks are non existent due to the rude and power tripping field monitor. Kids are subject to sitting on the hot pavement when it was 95° and are not allowed to run or participate in any way socially. Field monitor supervisor uses a damn megaphone and yells at the kids within 2 feet!!! Kids are withheld on breaks for 5min plus on a 15min break. This is not a military school and many kids are traumatized due to these strict rules that the principal and vp choose to ignore that was self implemented by the monitor supervisor. History teach forgets assignments and grades solely based on emotions and favoritism. If any parents read this, ask your child how recess and lunch breaks are. Chances are they will back up all that was written here.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2023

My child went to this school from grades K-2, and I have to say almost the entire school experience traumatized her (mostly 2nd grade). Grades K and 1 were decent-- the teachers were good, and there wasn't many issues. If there was you can be sure the principal wouldn't be helpful. We had an issue in grade 1 where a staff member was continuously rude to our child at lunchtime, and the teacher and vice principal were the ones who addressed the issue, the principal dismissed us when we brought the issue to him. Both this incident and principals attitude were the first red flags. Then came 2nd grade where her teacher was unhelpful, and judgmental most of the times. She was quick to complain about any issues concerning our child, but not quick to help help her or let us know when our child was struggling-- specifically academically. My child ended up falling behind for 2 months before the teacher made us aware of her academic struggles. We let the teacher know our child has anxiety early on, and had received help for it, in hopes she would it take it into consideration, but she seemed to show little empathy, especially towards the end of the year. Our child also had issues with bullying during her 2nd grade year, and no one seemed to notice or help, and frankly I'm not sure which is worse. On the last day of school is when our child finally told us the extent of the bullying (physical, verbal & emotional)-- which as a parent was truly gut-wrenching. She had waited so long because she worried if she told the bullying would get worse. Even though it was the last day and our child was going to be leaving the school, I STILL emailed the teacher and school to notify them and get some clarity, and got no response-- unacceptable. Regardless if she was going to be leaving the school, the very least they could've done is respond. My child was one of very few children of color in the school, and that without a doubt played a role in the bullying she was receiving, and the lack of interest in the school taking us seriously or helping. This school has a serious bullying and lack of diversity issue-- which we were painfully made aware of. I am writing this email as a parent that luckily got their child out of there already, in hopes that if a parent-- especially a parent of color sees this, they choose a different school, and if you do-- good luck hopefully you have a better experience then we did.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2023

So far it's been a pretty positive experience. Teachers are kind, helpful and care about the children. My child loves going to school. My only issue is the massive class sizes. 32 kids with one teacher is ridiculous! This is the case for all the first and second-grade classes this year - highly likely other grades are experiencing the same. How can one teacher effectively teach 32 kids? The classrooms are filled with desks and barely any room for the kids to get around. Parents will come in as volunteers, but they're not really "teachers", are they?
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2022

Some teachers especially the one who is about to retire or got tenure can be very abusive to the unfavored kids and their parents. Kids can hear cursing and screaming from those teachers down at the hallway. Unfortunately, there is at least one of those in every grade.
Submitted by other on July 14, 2020

I volunteer at Vista Verde as a grandparent. I always feel welcome and love to see the learning in the classes. The children are the priority in all respects.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2020

Initially I was excited and my child as well, but in middle school things changed. Read my previous comments. Exposure to inappropriate language, sexual comments, etc. Not addressed as part of anti-bullying policy. Other schools give good internet citizenship workshops and healthy text communication. This school still lacks that emphasis on these issues. Also, with all the money they raise and rich parents in the area, you would think kids had a state of the art gym by now to do PE on hot or rainy days or some lockers in middle school so they don’t have to carry super heavy backpacks plus their instruments daily!! These are children! Leadership is poor in putting emphasis in these areas. I am considering moving again precisely because the leadership is not settling a good example.
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2019

Do not be swayed by those with negative experiences. There are some parents who will never be happy and think their child can do no wrong. The overwhelming majority of kids and parents have nothing but positive things to say about the school. Having grown up in Irvine myself, I am very familiar with most of the schools in district. We specifically chose Vista Verde because we felt it offered the best balance of all the district schools. Irvine is known for academics and every school in the district will provide an excellent education. What separates Vista Verde beyond the excellent academics is the student body are also encouraged to explore other interests, athletics, art, music, etc. The diversity of the student body also creates a great atmosphere for the kids to meet all kinds of people and explore different viewpoints than they may otherwise be exposed to. If you are looking for school that not only offers excellent academics but also a well rounded environment for you children Vista Verde is a great choice.
Submitted by student on March 21, 2019

Loved this school! All the the teacher and students are so respectful!
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2018

I don't think there is a better school in the area. Great environment and awesome staff. Both my kids have shown significant improvement in their academics and behaviors. Lots of blood and sweat have been put to make this school so great. Thank you Vista Verde!
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2017

My kids love this school. The school is clean, organized, and have good system. The teachers are supportive, encouraging, demonstrate good leadership. The school prepare the kids for real world. They enjoyed working on many projects, researches, presentation, team collaboration, real world math problem solving. We had tried many schools to find a good school for my kids. When my kids go to this school, I have no more worries. The school is challenging enough for them, I'm not afraid of them getting bullied, many kids here are friendly, respectful, and giving.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2017

My kids have been at VV for 2 years now and we are very pleased with the school environment on the whole and the academics. The school teachers and staff are supportive of all children, and other than some issues with inexperienced substitute teachers due to pregnancy leave, we've been very pleased with VV.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2017

This school shines on the outside but smells from the inside. Social atmosphere at this school is not healthy. You will realize once you spend significantly more time volunteering at the school. Don't be lured by the strong academics and what they seemingly have to offer.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2017

We are going to vv this July, and all my family members are exciting about new school. I heard from my friend that this school is really good, so we moved to there. You know move is very hard but I hope it is worth to do that.Is there any parent know how to prepare for K? I searched one supply list from school , does that means I have to buy all the staff to donate the class?Hope someone is answering me, and it is the first time my kid go to school.Thank you!
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2015

I have twins and they both go to Vista Verde. This is their 6th year @ Vista Verde and we did'nt have one single problem within the last 5-6 years. We love the teachers, staff and their approach. We have moved to another neighborhood in Irvine far away from Vista Verde but still and rather to drive 20-30 minutes each way and my kids stay @ Vista Verde
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2015

Do not be swayed by the lunatic parents who say they "visit their kids during break" or "come into class to watch how the teachers treat the kids" because those are the types of parents that will never be satisfied, no matter where their kids go to school. The truth is that Vista Verde has a long waiting list and it is for a reason. Every teacher is not perfect. Every employee is not perfect. BUT, if you find yourself complaining about any FREE school in Irvine, then you need to double-think what you are doing. Go try San Bernardino or Los Angeles and then come back and complain about the best free education system in the United States. 97% of the students at Vista Verde love the school and so do their parents. There will always be the nutburger fringe of parents who don't get what they want and then obsessively scour the internet to find ways to get revenge for how they have been "wronged". Vista Verde is in the upper 1% of all schools in the U.S. and people flock to this area for that reason. They prepare the students wonderfully for Uni and any other high-level high school in the area. The biggest problem at the school is BY FAR the few borderline-insane parents who think the rules don't apply to them and think that their child should get more attention than everyone else's. Again, not every teacher is wonderful. This is true at EVERY school in the country. 90% of the teachers are wonderful and I can promise your child will thrive here. My children have gone here for a cumulative 14 years and, yes, they have had a few issues with teachers, but that is life. There are tough events in all facets of life. If you are a helicopter parent who tries to guide your children away from any tiny bit of strife or anything challenging, then you are not preparing your child for the real world in any way. Learning to deal with when things are not perfect is one of the best lessons you can teach them. No school is perfect but you will find Vista Verde is close to it. If you are a "normal", non-insane parent, you will love Vista Verde and so will your children.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2014

We drive across Irvine to have our kids attend Vista Verde. Our kids have varying degrees of special needs. The staff is really trying to help my kids succeed, which has not been the case at other schools private and public in multiple school districts. We have great relationships with the principal, school psychologist, teachers, nurse, health clerk, and speech teacher. The other staff is also very nice and supportive. With the high standards of education at this school I don't worry as much about extra academics, and focus on extra curricular activities to target other areas. The main suggestion for this school is to reprogram language arts to be accessible to the dyslexic population at the school. We are so pleased with Vista Verde.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2014

It is obvious that the last two reviews (posted on Feb 7, 2014) were written by the same parent.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2014

teacher do not teach, being spoiled by volunteers. if they have to compile 2 pages, they are already overworked and they will inform you about it ;) the staff would try to sell lies to parents 24/7. hostile atmosphere. if you contribute some good money then you can have some kind of feeling of private school for public money and all families are aware of it. definitely they do not work for the best of students. ask parents and they will tell you: "average". you might stay but you'd better RUN.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2014

After reading some recent reviews, it obvious nothing had changed at Vista Verde. This school is a disaster. If you are a busy body with nothing better to do than follow your kid to school and play politics, it ismost llikely a good fit. If you have an average kid (not too smart) that likes busy work this is the perfect school. However, if you ate familiar with education law and have a high functioning kid, or a disabled kid or both you really have three choices. Run! Get a lawyer and sue (please pick this one) or be miserable and buy all their lies. I had hopes that when the former principal left some miracle would happen but it is still in IUSD so I guess not. You are not crazy they are. Teachers are so spoiled with parent helpers they don't know what's up with any kid. They don't grade or record the papers....hod knows there are a lot of dead trees because of VV.
Submitted by other on August 03, 2013

I love Vista Verde School and hope everyone who went there loved it. It has more than 1,000 children that all appreciate the school. Vista Verde is a school that has a very high API score and has many gifted and talented students. Don't worry, if you go to Vista Verde, you will not be bullied at all! Be sure to listen to the instructions to all teachers, or else they can give you an F. If you decide you want to go there, make sure that you are okay with year round schools. In the whole city of Irvine, there are only two schools that are year round. All others are traditional schools that start in September. Vista Verde is a school K-8, so if you go there starting Kindergarten, you will stay there for nine years! Vista Verde is different from other schools by loving all students, advantaged or disadvantaged. I have been in Vista Verde from Kindergarten to eighth grade and have loved it throughout all nine school years! You would never even think about how much I cared for all the teachers, gave them handmade presents and happiness. In Vista Verde all the teachers make children learn very well. I don't know any school other than Vista Verde which I appreciate as much as this school.