John Malcom Elementary School

32261 Charles Ave.

School District

Capistrano Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Capistrano Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 21, 2024

We have 2 kids that attended Malcom, 1 has moved on to middle school. They both have had wonderful experiences at the school, feeling both welcome, supported and challenged. There are many, many experienced and dedicated teachers here and an active parent base that supports the PTA as well as classrooms. The principal once taught here and continues to work long days to juggle the many needs of the school. All that said, this is not the ideal place for a child with major behavioral issues. Members of the community are expected and encouraged to learn together in an environment that emphasizes good citizenship, group collaboration as well as individual progress. If a child arrives in the classroom ready to participate (and not disrupt), he/she will likely make noticeable gains over the school year.Tip: "You get what you put into it" applies here, as in so much of life. Families that actively engage and invest in their child's education via volunteering (or closely supporting classroom learning at home) will make the best use of the time spent here!
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2022

My kids Jerry studied in this school for three years, we’re appreciated the great teachers. Thanks!
Submitted by parent on January 04, 2022

Terrible leadership, negligent teachers. Bullying is a huge problem that they don’t deal with properly. The students are left in fear and unable to focus on what they should be focused on. And the principal have a problem with lying to parents, and withholding the truth of what actually happens in this school, her first concern definitely isn’t your child’s safety and well being or how to fix the issue, negligence is an ongoing issues here.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2021

Great and caring teachers , amazing Principal, we love Malcom
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2019

All the special ed parents, you might want to reconsider sending your child here. It may not be a good fit.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2018

After 12 years as a parent here, I can say that Malcom is not what you may hope it is. It's the parents and families that make the kids excel, not the teachers or some secret formula to teaching. The parents really care about their children's education at Malcom. A few teachers are great but most are average at best. Some teachers give preferential treatment to kids whose parents are their personal interns. My child walked into a classroom after school and the teacher had her feet up on the desk and talking on the phone while the parent was sitting there grading papers. I have witnessed teachers and parents out having a beer together. My kids have told me those parent's kids get away with everything. Luckily some of those teachers retired this year. Nepotism is alive and well at Malcom. Don't shortchange your child like that. A strong work ethic will help your child much more than special treatment from teachers. I say that with my oldest attending Cal Poly with scholarships. My kids struggled at Malcom and then went on to eventually excel in middle school and high school. They did it on their own. I never volunteered and sucked up to the teachers. The kids whose parents did do that are the ones going to Saddleback. Good luck!
Submitted by other on June 04, 2014

love it! I think its an amazing school that all children should go to. Great teachers and staff too!
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2014

My son is a fourth grader in Mrs. Hardos's class. He is a sweet but quarky kid who was prone to being picked on at his old school. Thankfully, we have experienced none of that at Malcom. He adores his teachers and school mates. We feel very fortunate to have moved into such a wonderful community.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2013

Bullying is a big issue at this school. Kindergarten was extremely difficult for my son. He has never struggled to make friends and is very outgoing. His experience at Malcom made him so insecure and he lost so much self confidence, thinking he was not smart and a bad kid. I was in disbelief at the behaviors coming from some of the children and their parents for allowing, and at times, encouraging this behavior. When my son began to struggle in class as a result, the teacher never recognized the bullying, but he was punished for his struggles, by means of not getting recess for example. Day after day he wouldn't get snack or recess with the other students, creating an even tougher situation. Even worse, the teacher didn't approach me until she had already given up on him. This summer was tough as a parent because I want to protect him, but also don't want to teach my son that when things get tough, he can cut out. Today he started his 1st day in 1st grade at Malcom and we are sincerely hoping for a different result being that he is in a new classroom under new instruction and there is a new principal. If we start seeing things going down the same path, we're out of there.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2013

The school is fine, however, the biggest problem at this school is bullying, without a doubt. The teachers and staff do nothing! My daughter went through a whole year and 1/2 of this until I finally threatened to go to the superintendent. What the heck Malcom, get with the real program and stand by your words. You claim to be zero tolerance for bullying...then do something about it!
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2013

Malcom has a wonderful PTA program and many fund raisers that directly benefit the students. Many of the teachers are excellent. Now to the part that matters most. This school has a huge problem with bullying and it is not addressed in a manner that makes a difference. It is "out of the hands" of the staff and principal. My child has attended from pre-K to 2nd grade and we're pulling him out for 3rd due to the bullying problem. He's a typical kid and makes friends easily, but the bullying is so global at Malcom that he's highly affected and begging us to change his school next year. I've heard from many other parents that it affects their children as well and we aren't the type to sacrifice our child's happiness and safety for a "blue ribbon" experience. There should be more done in the way of prevention.. more staff on duty at recess and lunch and bigger consequences for students and parents when bullying continues. More accountability overall. I mean look around, it's a serious and growing issue in the U.S. so nip it in the bud before you end up in the media Malcom!
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2013

It is true that Malcom receives a good number of open enrollment students but I would contend that this only helps give it some diversity which it needs. There are a fair amount of pampered kids (and parents) from high income families but there are also plenty of parents coming in flip flops and shorts. Any elitism feel at the school is directly related to the area where the school is located - not the teachers or the principal. In fact, the principal, Dr. Morris, goes out of her way not to cater to squeaky wheel parents and this is well known on campus. She is regarded as fair and a good principal. The volunteer community is strong and Malcom has a fundraising arm, separate from the PTA, that raises funds for support teachers that spend time in each classroom working under the direction of the teacher. Malcom also has a thriving school garden program that works with the Ecology Center in San Juan. All in all, a good experience for my kids - not perfect but nothing is.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2013

This is a very mixed school with a high number of open enrollment students from outside the caption area in Laguna Niguel who are drawn by parents wanting to their children to go to a wealthy PTA funded and run school. The realilty is that many students are pulled from this school for various reasons including bullying and lack of dicipline in the classroom to go to other private, public and charter schools in the district. The inflow and outflow of students is hidden but should be noted and considered if you are looking to send your child here.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2012

A great school! The teachers are very experienced and very concerned about the child's education. The math program is very advanced by offering the ST Math, weekly testing and advanced math classes. Dr. Morris is a very energetic principal, Miss Sally is wonderful and Rosie is amazing.