Lisa J. Mails Elementary School

35185 Briggs Road

School District

Murrieta Valley Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:27
Type

public

School Map for Murrieta 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 parent on April 16, 2024

As a parent of three littles I’m so thankful we landed at this school. The entire team plays a big role in the students success. This includes the SPED team. We moved here just for this school and so glad we did!
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2024

Good school with the exception of their bullying procedures- they have none, nor do they take it seriously.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2023

My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD in 3rd grade. However the staff has been proactive about setting my daughter up with accommodations (a slant board to write on, special lined paper to help her write nearly, allowing her to have tests read to her, etc.) before she had a 504 plan. They actively teach emotional intelligence. The entire staff knows my family and I feel so welcome.
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2021

We absolutely adore this school and the staff! Through COVID and beyond, you can sense that they really care about the students and their mental well being as well as their family life. The teachers have gone above and beyond to make the transition from virtual learning to a traditional classroom setting an easy one for the kids. Communication is highly encouraged on campus and the school counselor, Mrs. Spoon, just received accolades on a national level for her well rounded approach to getting the kids up and running during the school year. Love this place for my kids!!
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2017

We have been at this campus for 8 years. Each of my children started school here in Kindergarten. I couldn't be more thrilled with our experience. From the teachers to the administration to the parents, it's been very rewarding. It's a very art-focused school, so music, art, dance, and writing is incorporated into everything they do. We have a very involved PTA board who goes above and beyond to provide our kids and the staff with whatever they can to enrich their experience. PTA helps pay for field trips for every grade level. They are always putting on events each month to encourage parent involvement. There is always something fun to do at Mails. Lisa J. Mails is a special school. You feel like family whether you come to help volunteer or just drop off your child in the morning. It will be sad to leave once my current 5th grader is gone next year. I would recommend (and have recommended) this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2016

My grandson goes to 1st grade here. The positive reinforcement and the support of the teacher has been amazing. He is confident and also very polite and his language skills have improved. Very happy.a grandparent
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2016

Looks like the latest review was in 2014! WOW!! LJM is a good school! Great teachers, campus and facility! One HUGE problem is the PTA click! The same people stay on the board and swap positions so they can all run things how they want it! Fayth Mutchnick-Jax would have never put up with that. New administration makes it a much different school now! Sooo Ready to move on!!
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2014

Horrible parking, they need to open more ways to get out. Bad designed! I thought last year parking was bad, but this year parking is worse, please change design. Many parents are so disappointed and upsets!
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2014

We have a kindergartner at LJM and our experience has been very positive. I am MORE than welcome in my child's classroom, I volunteer every month, I know each child in her class by name and feel very involved. My daughter's teacher recognized she was ahead of the class in terms of reading and took the time to send specialized assignments home for her to challenge her while the others caught up. I applaud the staff and faculty for their commitment to safety and providing a positive environment for my child to excel.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2013

Facilities are new, teachers knowledgeable and caring. The Principle and her staff supports the students, teaches and parents.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2013

My child had attended first lisa J, and after problems went to Alta Murrieta elementary. The difference fort Know at Lisa J with a horrible parent student support system. On the other hand Alta Murrieta is an example Lisa J should learn to follow. They love their students and it shows. Parents are there every Friday for assemblies and the teachers are very welcoming toward parents. The front office, what a different in the staff. They are so super friendly so if you are having problems at Lisa J, It looks good I admit that is about all it had going for it.
Submitted by parent on July 01, 2013

The parents on here saying there are safety issues and aren't able to "see the inside of a classroom but on open-house night" clearly don't visit the school at all. My two girls have been at Mails for 4 years. After being buzzed into the office, I have my ID checked, I am to sign it, put on a visitor tag and am able to walk into my childs classroom at any given time. In fact, they highly encourage parent involvement and have several safety measures in place at all times. Both the principal and vice principal are very personable and helpful. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They care about all the children and develop strong personal relationships with involved parents. Their arts program and school rating was a motivating factor in choosing my home. I do, however, see more of a focus on testing than actual learning. My girls looooove this school. They have very much liked most of their teachers. To the parent who rated this school low because of safety issues, your kid falling off a swing is NOT a safety issue. To the parent who said you wont see the inside of your kids classroom but on open house night, do you even go to the school?
Submitted by parent on July 06, 2012

Good school. Ok teachers for the most part so far. Our family has only been there one year so we have not experienced what others have. Newer campus, large play area for the kids.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2012

Academic wise I have no complaints, but some safety issue is one thing that needs to be address. I don't know who's idea it is to do a buddy system during playtime. The kinder kids being paired with the 3rd grader. My child got hurt when pushed too hard on the swing and fell facedown, where is the adult person that should be looking for this kids safety. Why give the responsibility to the 8 year old to watch the younger kid? My husband spoke with the 3rd grader teacher and she at once inform the office about the parent talking to her, not about some concern for safety during playtime. And the office call us at home to tell us that we are supposed to talk to them not to the teacher about our concern. No chain of command there, right? So I told my husband that even the smallest concern lets bring it to the principal since that is what they want! The afterschool class is a joke, i sign my kid before for sign language, a high school kid was teaching it, signing the alphabet and telling the kids the importance of being cool. I got my child out of there and told her that being a good person to everyone is better than trying to be "cool" to fit in.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2012

LJM is one of the best schools in our District! From the awesome administration, teachers, staff, volunteers & Watch Dogs, LJM has it all! I am thankful everyday that my kids have both been lucky enough to attend such a wonderful school! The decline in housing hindered this school from getting all the finishing touches it needs as far as roads/ sidewalks are concerned, but those who attend the coffee chat with the Pricipals know that this has been a battle they have not given up on! There may be some teachers that are more challenging than others, but that is common all throughout our district! With all the budget cuts California has had to endure, these teachers at LJM continue to take pay cuts in order to help keep class sizes and focus on the children! LJM is at the top of my list for elementary schools in our area!!
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2012

The Kindergarten program at LJM is a big joke. Parent volunteers are hand selected and you can almost guarantee you will never see the inside of your child's classroom unless it is back to school night or open house. Their classrooms are very unfriendly and closed to families. A big sign that this is not an open door policy for volunteers. Not all the teachers are like this but sadly the ones who have family working in their classrooms are causing clicks and favoring some kids over others. There is one teacher in particular who likes to "diagnose " students with mental health issues and cause havoc on the lives of families year after year. Also there is one aid on the playground with 75 4 and 5 year old children. I don't know about you but that is a scary child to adult ratio.. there have been more accidents at this school than I can mention.. broken arms, traumas to the head and even 2 children being hit by cars just outside of the school because it lacks proper sidewalk for crossing and walking safely home. And just in-case your thinking But the Arts.. DON'T BE FOOLED there is nothing left in regard to the arts. I would write more but only allowed so many words per post.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2011

Great school! Professional, caring staff. Students succeed in an arts enriched environment. Huge parental involvement makes for a fantastic turn out for extra curricular activities for students.