McDowell School

29028 Aloma Avenue

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-6
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 24, 2020

Amazing school in all aspects! My son is in 2nd grade & couldn’t have been happier with the school. Everyone is so caring and thoughtful. The program keeps the kids very engaged & enthusiastic about school.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2018

We are so grateful to have found the McDowell School. Our daughter started there around 8 months old in the Infant program, and now she is in the Toddler/Early Learner program and absolutely loves going to school! She has learned and developed so much during her time there. All her teachers have been so wonderful - loving, supportive, patient, and kind...like family! She talks about all her classmates and teachers when she's not at school, I know she misses them. She is developing friendships and social connections to other people at such a young age, I never knew that was possible for a 2 year old. I would highly recommend McDowell School to any parents looking for a loving environment for their little one!
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2018

We couldn't be happier with our experience with McDowell. The teachers are great, caring and highly motivated. They want your child to succeed. You get constant feedback from the teachers and administration regarding how your child is doing and areas of concern or improvement. The school administration is amazing in all aspects. Very respectful and caring. The location of the school is great. We as parents strongly recommend it to anyone.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2018

A. Our daughter is in her second year at McDowell and we absolutely love the small class sizes and the one on one attention she gets by the teachers and the headmaster. She absolutely loves going to school every day.
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2018

McDowell is a stellar school. When we moved to Laguna Niguel, we put our daughter into the first grade of a supposedly 9 star public school. It was an absolute disaster: class size of more than 30 kids, a teacher totally out of control. Our daughter had been assessed as 3rd grade academically, but the school made no effort to accommodate her, and as a result she went downhill fast. In desperation we took her out after 2 months and looked at the private options. We considered St Mary's (too formal) and St Margaret's (not so good academically) and then, luckily, we found McDowell. Half the price of the other two, it's a wonderful family of teachers, students and parents, who all work together in one great community. There's a science lab and a computer lab (they learn computing from kindergarten onwards), really great teaching, very small classes (no more than 14 in any class). The sports facilities are limited, but still manage to have a champion volleyball team. The campus is small, but the atmosphere is wonderful. Our daughter has remained two years above her age in reading and math, but the rest of the class have joined her - they are a wonderful, talented group. All the kids are self-motivated and independent, and they adore their teachers (who are really friends of the family now). The children learn character-building traits, especially respect for others, generosity and cooperation, and we love that it's multi-ethnic. It's also affordable. We wouldn't look at another school in the area now - such a shame it only goes up to 6th grade.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2017

Excellent academics where students will enjoy coming to school while at the same time getting a challenging education. The school not only values but encourages children to be a thinker/problem solver and be their unique selves. There are opportunities to work ahead due to the small class sizes.
Submitted by other on October 31, 2016

We've been at McDowell for 2 years and absolutely love it. The classes are on the smaller side which allows for individual attention and accelerated learning. Our son is very happy and is doing so well academically and socially, we couldn't be more pleased.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2016

My children love going to school. They talk about their teachers with joy and big smiles. Simply the best.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2015

This school has been exceptional with the attention they have given my children. They not only have created a nurturing environment but an academically challenging one as well. They have helped my sons grow emotionally, socially and academically. If you are looking for an all around great experience for your child this school is it! Everyone from the Core Teachers to the Specialty Teachers really focus on each child's needs and potential. LOVE LOVE THIS SCHOOL!!!
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2015

This is our second go around with this school. We couldn't ask for a better elementary school experience, combined with everything a great school has to offer- small class size, excellent teachers, caring staff, high quality curriculum, involved parents, and community feel. After being used to the challenging curriculum that McDowell offers, these students are able to smoothly transition into any future school environment. Don't let the size scare you away, if anything, that is what makes this school so amazing. To us, McDowell School is the best kept secret in Laguna Niguel. We love it and more importantly, so does our daughter!
Submitted by principal on September 04, 2015

We would love it if you would come and visit us in the heart of Laguna Niguel. We are a school with a child-centric quality academic program, a small school with a strong family feel.We would be very happy to have your family become a part of our family!
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2013

we came from VA to CA .MY dauther had to go to public school for 2 years until we found Mcdowell school. I can not be happeir for my daugter, her math is stronger than than before in other school . Her teachers are all kind and helpful.I wish they had middle school too so l didnt have to move some where else for her.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2012

This is my second experience with this school. My child was a previous student here. Although there have been many changes since our first child, we are happy that McDowell has continued with it's small class sizes and academic excellence. Having been here before, I know that when students leave McDowell for whatever the reason, they are more than prepared and most often end up in very high math, english, language, etc classes at other schools. As to the previous comments about it not being a family environment, I wholeheartedly disagree. McDowell's student body size makes that inevitable. For the money, you can't get a better education! We couldn't be happier here! If you considering McDowell, do yourself a favor and check it out.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2012

Over the past year I have come to realize that this is not the same place we committed to in kindergarten. There is not the same kind of family atmosphere governing the school which made it the special place it once was. This appears to be due to the change in ownership and management of the school. Also beware that there are some very influencial parents who feel it is their perogative to dictate their childs grades. Hardly a fair and even situation to students who come by their grades honestly!
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2012

Avoid this school at all costs. It has turned from a wonderful family environment that is rich in learning to a cold, hard business. It has been bought by a corporation, has a new director and alot of the staff have left. Changes abound and many of the families that have been there for years have left. Think twice before putting your child at this school!
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2011

We are so happy with the quality of education at McDowell. The classes are small, and the level of hands on individualized education is high. The spanish, art, computer, music and athletic teachers are exceptional. Parents are very involved here. Very caring, family oriented school!
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

McDowell is amazing for anyone who wants an incredible academic and well-rounded educational experience for their child. The best teachers, staff and parents in town. The school has been there for 34 years and continues to grow with today's high standards of excellence. I have never been disappointed with anything there, and my boys love going to school each day.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2010

This is a for-profit school now owned by the same people who own Sylvan. It is great for younger kids and the class size is small but there's only one class in most grades which isn't enough for older kids. The classrooms are very small and there are very few facilities; a small playground, PE in the parking lot and no science labs or art/music rooms. There are some great teachers but there's no ongoing teacher training so some are stuck in a rut. Unless your kids have been here since preschool it's very hard for them to break in socially. The school doesn't have a middle school, it has one very small 6th grade. If your kids are very young or if your older child has need of such a small environment then it is a good school but it's very much a niche school. Most kids need more.