Viejo Elementary School

26782 Via Grande

School District

Capistrano Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:26
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 July 18, 2024

They will not allow your kid to think for them selfs. Must think as teacher’s demand.
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2024

All of these 5 star reviews seem to be suspiciously “stacked” exactly 1 day apart from each other. Here are the key takeaways from Viejo Elementary. 99% of the teachers are awesome people. If you need a 504 plan or an IEP, your child is not going to get the help they need and you will not be made aware when they don’t actually follow an IEP or 504 until it is way too late. Talk to all the parents that have been there for years and they will tell you. Bullying has been a rampant problem. Mr. Becerra, the principal is like a slick car salesman, approachable but he will talk out of one side of his face to you and do something else. He is a completely ineffective leader and weak.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2024

I love Viejo Elementary. As a bilingual parent, the best present I can give my daughter is a second language. When I describe Viejo to others. I am often asked if it is a private school. Please do not be afraid of the school summary score. Learning two languages is tough in the beginning but evidence shows bilingual kids most often surpass their peers within a few years. My daughter has been at Viejo for five years. Her teachers have been supportive and nurturing. They are patient and caring. The office staff and the principal are always ready to answer my questions. My daughter feels safe and excited about school. She is thriving. The Viejo community is welcoming and active. Some of the school year activities are: 1. back to school picnic, reflections (arts contest), trunk-or-treat/harvest festival, family dance, Posada, Thanksgiving potluck, jog-a-thon, día del niño (day of the child) play date, spring music concert, school plays and my favorite-garden days. The school has a monthly assembly that parents are encouraged to attend. If this sounds like the right school for you and your kids, we look forward to meeting you.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2024

I have 3 kids in this school and could not have had a better experience. My youngest is in TK and is already reading sentences in Spanish. His teacher got Teacher of the Year for the entire Capo district this year. He also was able to do Preschool at the school. Administration is open with parents and if you have any concerns, they address them immediately. The staff is so good with the kids. I have not had any teachers that I wouldn’t recommend. The school is smaller for a public school and they wear uniforms, so it has more of a private school feel. The office staff knows each of the students. The PTA is active and works hard to have free monthly community events, not just fundraisers. My kids have made great friends and I have made a lot of parent friends because of all the events they do. If you are hesitant about Spanish immersion, I would request a tour. We do not speak any Spanish at home and all 3 of our kids are thriving in both languages. It is really awesome to see.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2024

Excellent, and great school. Would recommend to family and friends.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2024

We have lived in many states in the US and we absolutely LOVE this school. We were trying to decide which state to live in and after moving away, we moved back to California mostly because we wanted our kids to attend Viejo Elementary. The principle Mr. Becerra genuinely cares about the students and staff. Our son is in first grade and is reading incredibly well in both English and Spanish. We love that our children are immersed, not only in the Spanish language, but the culture as well, which is very important to us. I cannot recommend Viejo Elementary enough!
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2024

Viejo Elementary School is a beacon of academic excellence, fostering a community where intellectual growth thrives. The Spanish immersion program is a hidden gem in the community, with a unique atmosphere that cultivates independent thinking, empowering students for success. The school's unwavering support system ensures each child receives the guidance they need to flourish. We are so happy that both our children go here.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2024

Viejo Elementary School has been a fantastic educational journey for my two children, who have attended from preschool through third grade. Throughout their time there, I've had no issues whatsoever. The school has provided a nurturing environment and quality education, making it a great choice for families in the area. The staff at Viejo Elementary School truly stand out for their exceptional support and expertise. From the moment we enrolled our children, the staff has been incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. The teachers are amazing, demonstrating a deep understanding of their subjects and a genuine passion for teaching. Their dedication to student success is evident in every interaction. We're grateful for the exceptional education and care our children receive at Viejo Elementary School.Highly recommend!
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2024

Viejo is invaluable to our family. I searched diligently for a program that could assist me with literacy in both Spanish and English. Viejo wholeheartedly accommodated the needs of my children. The parents and staff have become like family to us. We are fully dedicated to the Viejo community and extend a helping hand to parents seeking a place to thrive with their children. This is undeniably a fantastic environment for your little ones to flourish.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2024

Viejo Elementary School holds a special place in our hearts, not just as a beacon of academic excellence, but as a nurturing haven where my girls thrive. One of the most heartwarming aspects of this school is the genuine care and dedication shown by its exceptional teaching staff. Year after year, these educators go above and beyond, not only in the classroom but also in their unwavering support for each and every student.Their commitment to excellence is evident in the numerous local awards they receive, often being named Teachers of the Year. But what truly sets them apart is the way they care for my girls. Through every challenge and triumph, they are there, offering guidance, encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on. Their impact goes far beyond academics; they nurture not just minds, but hearts and spirits.As a parent, seeing the genuine bond between my girls and their teachers is nothing short of heartwarming. It's these moments of connection, compassion, and care that make Viejo Elementary feel like more than just a school—it's a family.So here's to Viejo Elementary School, where teachers don't just educate, they inspire. Where learning isn't just about books and tests, but about growth, resilience, and compassion. I am forever grateful for the love and support my girls receive here, and I couldn't be prouder to be part of the Viejo family. Go Viejo!
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2024

Choosing Viejo Elementary for our children's education has been a rewarding decision, and we enthusiastically recommend it to families seeking a nurturing and culturally rich learning environment. While the facilities may bear the marks of time, what truly shines at Viejo Elementary is its unwavering commitment to academic excellence and cultural diversity through its dual immersion program.Viejo Elementary has managed to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere conducive to learning and growth. The dedicated teachers and staff work tirelessly to provide engaging and innovative lessons that inspire students to excel academically and embrace multicultural perspectives. Through the dual immersion program, our child has not only gained proficiency in a second language but has also developed a deep appreciation for different cultures and traditions.Viejo Elementary fosters a sense of community that is inclusive and supportive. The school community comes together to create a positive and nurturing environment where every student feels valued and respected.We are grateful for the enriching experience our family has had at Viejo Elementary, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to any parent seeking a school where their child can thrive academically and socially.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2024

Viejo is such a wonderful school. The community feel and dynamics between the staff and parents is like a family. This is the best school you can consider putting your kids in. It’s a plus that it’s a two-way, dual-immersion school. The principal Mr. Becerra is very involved and we appreciate that the school has such a great leader. This school is a leading school where other schools come to learn from to learn teaching techniques or how to best bridge any gaps. In the last 3 years that we have been in the school we have appreciated more and more the success our son has achieved here. The school is always readily equipped to help whether it’s an extra resource needed for learning or any safety precautions needed.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2024

As with all schools, there are areas that can be improved on, but what makes Viejo great is they are constantly evaluating and changing their practices as needed. The admin will make the time to sit down with you and listen to your concerns. With the school being smaller it’s very easy to be involved and support the teachers if you want to. Due to the additional academic challenge of learning a second language, many families are very involved and devoted to their children’s school experience. The teachers are what make this school exceptional. They are loving, smart, flexible and truly concerned about the well being of the students. As with most schools, you are able to make a difference by getting involved. Whether at Viejo or someone else, I recommend joining a committee and making a difference. A lot of hands make light work.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2022

The leadership in this school is poor at best. Full of unqualified people who were (gifted) the opportunity to destroy the life of many children. Immediate action is needed to fix this problem before more childrens life's are ruined.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2018

Fabulous. I don't know what made the last reviewer so mad. I've been in this school community for four years now between preschool and K-5 and have 2 kids in the program. The administration and teachers have always been open to feedback and requests. Communication is easy with anyone! I love the small community of the school and feel very listened to about anything I bring to Sr. Becerra. He is a dedicated principal who has worked at every level of schools. Professional, passionate and working hard to make a difference at his school! I've actually only ever heard of one family leaving the program for "personality conflicts". I'm knee deep involved with PTA and their are lots of very involved families in a wonderfully diverse school. Perfect for us!
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2018

What a horrible experience. We found the leadership to be horrible. (principal Becerra) does not communicate important changes or information in a timely manner nor did he support me as a parent when problems arose. He never did anything about major issues that took place, although he said he would often time questioned if it really happened as if I was lying. I'm not the only parent this has happened to. My child is not up to speed compared to the spanish speaking students because her primary language is english, however the teachers have way too high of expectations and push alot of the work/practicing on the parent and then blame you for your childs progress. While my daughter attended, several parents were pulling their kids from the program for all of the above reasons. The office girls however are the only wonderful thing about the school.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2016

My daughter is now in second grade and is able to read and write in both Spanish and English. We don't speak any Spanish in our home, so the fact that our seven year old is well on her way to being fluent in two languages is nothing short of amazing to me. The principal, Mr. Becerra, very clearly cares a lot about the students. We also have been pleased with the teachers she has had to date. The school community is very close knit with lots of parents pitching in to volunteer for various projects. Most parents I encounter at the school are down-to-earth and friendly, which does not seem to be the norm here in OC. We love Viejo Elementary and are so happy that our children have the opportunity to attend this school.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2015

We really like Viejo. I have 2 kids attending and a third will start next year. We have loved all their teachers and are very excited they will be bilingual and biliterate when they graduate from 5th grade. It was a no-brainier for me to enroll them here. If they can go through elementary, middle, and high school and come out with a great education but ALSO be bilingual, why wouldnt everyone do it? Obviously their test scores are going to be lower because they take the same test as everyone else which is in English. Yet the immersion program doesn't teach reading/writing in English until 2nd grade. So it is not an accurate test for dual immersion students. It's a great program for any child who's parents would like them to learn English and Spanish while going to school. I highly recommend it!
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2014

I'm extremely impress with this school, when I saw the test score low, it scared me a bit, but since this was one of the very few school that provided very good Pre-k program I decided try it out . I was driving from Lake forest to Viejo everyday. I noticed my child was always happy to come to school. I decided try kinder, My child now reads & write both English & Spanish with only half way through kinder. I feel safe leaving my child in school, as well as the staff try there best to provide as much programs as possible. Over all this is a great school. I love this school and have recommended to friends, Great Job Viejo Staff :)
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2014

My daughter is currently at this school. The ratings are only low because this school recently converted over to a dual immersion program. This is a two way language academy with amazing teachers, program and administration. I am very happy that I placed my daughter in this program. Take a tour! you will be impressed!