El Toro High School

25255 Toledo Way

School District

Saddleback Valley Unified
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Saddleback Valley 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 other on July 14, 2024

During my four years at this high school, the bathroom stalls had no doors, which was a significant and distressing issue. This lack of privacy was unacceptable and has left a lasting negative impact on me, even decades later.Additionally, when it came time to apply for college, I found out too late that I hadn’t taken the necessary classes to meet college admission requirements. The school never informed me that the courses I was enrolled in wouldn’t prepare me for college. As a teenager, I relied on the school to guide me, but they failed to provide the necessary information and support. This lack of guidance severely limited my post-graduation opportunities.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2024

Moving from IUSD to SUSD was a big question mark for us. Ever since we've been here, we absolutely love everything about this school—the principal, office staff, counselors, sports, and more. I feel like IUSD is overrated, and other districts also have a lot to offer. This school is well-organized, and the counselors, principal, and other staff know what they're doing. There's a clear plan in place, and there's no need to say it's well-planned. So far, we love all the teachers, with just one little exception. The communication between parents and school is awesome too.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2021

My daughter is a Sophomore at El Toro High School and it has been an amazing experience. She loves it, her classes are challenging, her teachers obviously care, her friends are polite and nice. The opportunity to get involved is abundant there seems to be a sport, club, or extracurricular program for just about every kid's interest. We have been attending the football games and I am so glad there is so much school spirit. The kids love going to games and jump into the dress up days. My daughter is part of Pep Squad, Best Buddies Club, Sunset Club, and ASB and I have been impressed with how kind the Juniors and Seniors are to the younger kids. As well as have observed these kids with all of the classes and they are stand-up kids. We have only had one issue with a teacher, so far and that was last year during COVID but other then that it has been great. Overall I have been impressed with the quality of education and also the transparency on how she is doing with the Aeries site as well as the proactive communications that they send out. For the parents who said they didn't know their kids were doing bad... Umm how is that possible? All of the teachers post the grades on every project, test, quiz and piece of homework. As well as you have transparency to what upcoming work the kids have.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2021

Great Community. Good inclusion of diverse students. Questionable academic counselors. To begin, counselors are overwhelmed with the ratio of 600+ students to 1 counselor (according to this site). I've seen other parents struggle with getting their child support academically. One in particular counselor is credentialed from a "for-profit" obscure college with a less than 50% graduation rate. This is most alarming to me. How can you hire an academic counselor to help students navigate through the rigorous admissions process of top tier universities (or even the UC/CS system) if they haven't done so themselves?? I was surprised El Toro wouldn't hire counselors with more experience or who are more established. If you can afford to hire an outside academic counselor or can help your child yourself, this school is still a good option.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2021

Great school in the area. Lots AP and IB classes. High recommend it.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2018

My kids are very happy. It is important that kids find an activity to be involved with and the school offers many!
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2017

Don't send your child here if they suffer from ADHD. They don't help at all. My son was basically told not to come back to El Toro HS washed their hands of him and gave me 24 hours notice to attend Silverado HS after my trying to get a hold of someone all Summer. They failed my child.
Submitted by student on May 18, 2017

Wonderful!!!! Best school I could ever imagine! beautiful campus, full of greenry and relaxing atmosphere
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2016

I have had 2 children attend El Toro High School. Both were very happy and very involved. My son was in marching band and lacrosse. My daughter loved drama/choralistics class and performed in several plays/performances. This school is NOT in a bad area. I don't know what some of these people are talking about. I have lived down the street from ET for 16 years in the Woods area and we love it here. My kids have great memories from growing up in this area and from this high school. 75-80% of the people in this area are college graduates and own their homes. (I've checked the stats.) And this is NOT a high crime area. The campus has been updated several times over the years we have lived here. They are putting solar panels in the parking lots as we speak. The school had a major upgrade/facelift and tech upgrade about 6-7 years ago. ET has a brand new state-of-the-art stadium. My guess is that some of the poor reviews come from parents that aren't involved in their child's education. As one of the very involved parents, I've seen my share of parents who lay the responsibility on others to raise funds for band, sports etc., blame the ET staff and don't care to parent their children. ET has all grades, attendance, etc. posted online with a private password. I was able to check on my children at any time I chose to. A good education starts at home with good habits, morals and ethics which are taught by the parents. My son is now finishing college and going on to med school. My daughter is working full time and advancing in her company. My son's neighborhood friend (who also went to ET) is now a Navy SEAL. Just goes to show, you get out of school what you put into school. We have made great friends in this neighborhood and plan to stay for many years to come. GO CHARGERS!
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2014

The counselors are terrible. They don't know what they are doing and don't know who to direct parents to for answers. One counselor mockingly responded with "that's not in my pay scale". One of my children ended up with a life threatening illness and ended up missing the entire school year. Up until then, she was in the G.A.T.E. program, honors and I.B. program with a 4.3 G.P.A. but received an "F" in one of her classes because she wasn't "physically in class"; she was in the hospital. Although, she was able to complete all class work at home and at the hospital, they tried kicking her out of school and not let her graduate with her class. My other kids attended here for a short time also. There were a few excellent teachers but others were mediocre to poor with questionable professionalism. The campus is old and tired and lacks a dedicated football field. But ultimately the determining factor for us to leave the school and put our children at private school was the incompetent counselors. I jokingly used to say when I retire I would become a Wal-Mart greeter but now I say I will become a counselor at E.T.H.S. since it doesn't require knowledge or effort and pays better.
Submitted by other on July 17, 2014

Transferred my child from Santa Margarita and after she graduated she told me it was the best thing that ever happened to her. She wasn't bullied at Santa Margarita, she just felt like she couldn't express herself and had some issues with not getting enough science education. She's studying to be a MD now.
Submitted by other on September 06, 2013

I'm a student at El Toro and I think that the school is amazing. The teachers are great, and the school offers a variety of classes; thus ensuring you are happy with the courses you are taking. Also it helps get you used to the real world with the great diversity of people. You have people from different ethnicities, religions, and incomes coming together and getting along; life works that way too. The community always seems to support the school which is important to success. Lastly I would like to add how encouraging everyone is. The faculty encourages people to join lots of clubs and sports teams so the student can feel as comfortable as possible. It's not difficult to get help if you ask. Everyone, especially the teachers, is very supportive and understanding. This is a wonderful school. Go Chargers!!