Ladera Ranch Elementary School

29551 Sienna Parkway

School District

Capistrano Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Capistrano 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 December 21, 2021

Awesome school. Teachers consistently go above and beyond to ensure each child is supported.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2020

Awesome school !!! All 3 of my children went to Ladera Ranch Elementary and we have nothing but great things to say about our experience. The staff consists of many exceptional and well respected teachers that have a genuine interest in your child's education. Our experience with Admin was very good. As a parent with any school, you need to stay engaged and be your child's advocate. In my opinion this is a 5 STAR School.....
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2017

Some teachers here are really terrific and others are very bad. Conover in K was a wonderful teacher and my daughter loved her (and still does). First grade with a combo of two teachers was horrible. Two different teaching styles different days of the week. My daughter went from loving school to hating once she moved to first grade. Into second grade we again had a terrific teacher and my daughter began to enjoy school once again. Third grade is still in progress but the teacher is ok. She does not communicate much to the parents and we are out of the loop some, but our daughter is doing well and enjoying school still, so we aren't rocking the boat this year. We can only hope we continue with the good teachers moving forward.We had a bullying experience a couple years ago and it was brought to the principal’s attention. She didn't care, she was heading out. The incoming principal didn't care much either. It was just a temporary job for him. So I bought a punching bag for my garage and taught my daughter how to fight and kick the bully's butts. She is no longer bullied at school. The principals didn't like my plan on solving their bullies, but it worked. My point is, forget being politically correct and working with the teachers and principals. Teach your child how to defend themselves. They will be stronger, more confident and no one will mess with them. In general the school is better than others. It still could be better though.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2015

I am so frustrated this school year. My third grader is in a 3/4 combo but is receiving 4th grade work. The teacher is not teaching to the common core standards and gives a bunch of busy work for homework, nothing meaningful just drill and kill. So sad that teachers at this school are not being observed and held to high standards. It's very frustrating when my child has always liked going to school and now doesn't want to get out of bed. No child should feel this way. A teacher shouldn't be someone who's feared by students.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2015

Its a mixed bag. Some teachers really care about setting the kids up for success and some are there just to collect a paycheck. Im very disappointed with my child's teacher this year. She plays favorites, doesn't communicate issues until its too late, and I'm just exhausted with it.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

Ladera Ranch Elementary- I found found that some teachers are better than other but overall, I can't complain. I have not found the PTA to be cliquey. I don't attend meeting because I work full time but my husband attends and volunteers, and as the "odd man out" he has always felt welcomed and included. He is actually chairing some committees this year. I love that they don't have fences. This is school, not prison. Volunteers are required to wear very official badges so anyone who is not supposed to be there is immediately noticed. The parent involvement is incredible. I live in Ladera Ranch but work in Santa Ana, and the reason I don't move closer to my job, is because of the far superior education my children will receive in Ladera Ranch.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2013

Very very sad!!! This school deserves a 1!!! First of all the school isn't fenced in, a open campus, 38 kids in a 3 rd grade class and a teacher that all she does all day is sit in front of her computer and email. The only way to start a dialog is through email. BAD BAD BAD School! What has California come to? We use to have the best school now the state is ranked 48. Needless to say my son won't be going here next year!!! We are going to be playing catch up this summer to get him up to par for a private or charter school. STAY FAR AWAY FROM CAPO SCHOOL DISTRICT!!!
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2012

My child just finished fifth grade here. He's always had great teachers since kindergarten. I am confused by the Meg Gwyn bashing. My guess is it is from parents who didn't get their way. She is not warm and fuzzy, but runs an academic school.. We had 6 great years here.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2012

I like the school. I find that the parents are very involved and that does go a long way. A lot depends on the individual teachers your Kid gets for each grade. We are happy with the teachers that my Daughter was privileged to have in all Her grades so far. We parents take active interest in my kids school - homework, tests, additional practice, .... and I think that is very important in addition to the teachers you get. The school has very good API scores and API growth though I think they give you just one dimension and do not present the whole picture. The school has excellent facilities I must say. Things can be much better though in my opinion. I do agree with some of the comments from other parents that there is too much (emphasis on) fluffy stuff like fundrisers, drives, sellathons, ... etc. I don't need/want my Kids to be expert salesmen/saleswomen.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2012

Always somethin...But I am not pleased with this school since we started. My child is in kindergarten, and the way things are going, my child will be hating school for the rest of his life. Our teacher happens to be very passive, and just doesnt seem like she wants to be there. I know you happen to be a parent too but by gosh, take advantage of some after school program so your own children doesnt need to stay there in your classroom. The principal is very defensive when you bring up something to her attention.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2011

I saw a new posted 1 star yesterday, but someone was removed it. Please be honest with whatever parent commend. Telling the truth is helping the school, principal and management to be better for our school. If you still keep doing only posted the best commend, then your website is always lier. Thank you for your understanding
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2011

My daughter hated the school. Everybody was making fun of her. The teachers are very unprofesional. BEWARE....
Submitted by teacher on September 10, 2011

This school is definitely not as good as it shows here. I just pulled out my kid this school year. Can you believe that teachers' kids were allowed to stay during a parent-teacher conference??? I wish I could watch my kid at work!! Very unprofessional!!!
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2011

Thank you Ladera Ranch for teaching & loving the whole child! My kids are blessed to have such a caring group of educators. My family could not be happier with the wonderful teachers, fabulous principal, and a fun-loving and supportive PTA! This is truly a model school!
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2011

LRES is an excellent school!! You can't argue with an API score of well over 900 for 2 years in a row. Almost all of the teachers are incredibly talented and extremely dedicated to our students. Meg Gwyn does her best to balance all factors. If it weren't for budget cuts from the state and the drama from our school board, life at LRES would be just about perfect. We should be grateful for our PTA - those parents have worked exceptionally hard to provide many wonderful things for our students and our school. And I have found the parents to be very friendly! Wonderful school - we are blessed!
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2011

Meg Gwyn has poor leadership. She has been led by the PTA instead. It's time for a change. We need a new principal.
Submitted by other on May 21, 2011

Why do we need a principal like Meg Gwyn. She basically just eats, sleeps, and plays with our taxpayer's money. Look at the core curriculum at this school; writing, reading, and math are far behind other schools. Does she care??? All she cares about is to "FIT IN" to the PTA girls asking for MONEY paractically every month. Party is her goal. Parents are unfriendly just like Meg Gwyn.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2011

The teachers are certainly "dialed in" but the problem comes from the principal and trickles down. There's no emphasis on core curriculum, e.g. reading, writing, math. Instead you get bombarded with emails and flyers about golf tournaments or parties disguised as after school activities and all demanding money. What really rankles you is the amount of class time diverted to things like the Jog-a-Thon, Jump Rope for Heart, Walking for Something or Other. There's an imbalance between the value of education and these PTA sponsored activities that really contribute nothing to my child. The principal, Meg Gwyn, however, is in the PTA's backpocket. It's sad really...it's like she wants to be accepted by the "popular girls" (and just to give you a picture, there's a hierarchy with the mom volunteers at LRES: room moms are at the bottom and PTA moms are the ruling clique). Gwyn will either brown-nose you or give you the run-around, neither of which is conduct befitting a school principal. After several years of this nonsense, I'm joining the growing contingent of parents who are pulling their kids out of LRES and into a private school.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2011

Wonderful school! My daughter has attended K-2nd there so far & we can't imagine being anywhere else! Great teachers, a lot of parent involvement and a real sense of community.