Santa Margarita Elementary School

1 Carnes Road

Oceanside, CA 92058

School District

Oceanside Unified
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Oceanside 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 September 11, 2024

My son has attend this school since Kindergarten. Each teacher has helped nurtured his gifts and made him want to be at school daily. All of his teachers have sent consistent communication and were available if I had questions or concerns. The teachers and the staff truly care about the students and do the best that they can do given the challenges that they are provided. No school is perfect but this school is helping my child understand not only academics but also how to be successful in life.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2023

My child experienced regular bullying, threats and nothing was done until I mentioned it and was still bullied. Everything was made to be his fault. There is a lack of resources for children who are ADHD or Autistic, some Autistic kids are sent to other schools due to lack of resources.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2022

This was an amazing school with an amazing staff. Not your typical on-base school, but it’s on base. The Principal came to our home to meet us as we were mid year transfers. 3 kids went there and I retired, but now they all miss it. Gym (not really a teacher) was a bit of a bully and they had a substitute that was a piece of work, but once reported it was handled professionally and swiftly! Bravo to you guys!!!
Submitted by other on March 31, 2020

I really did like this school, of course they can always improve on things such as like the food...but school lunch has never been good in the first place. And there were a couple of problems I remember the school had, like I remember that it became kind of broke at one point, and we lost a lot of staff (My P.E. teacher somehow became my yearbook teacher) due to a drop in surveys that funded us. I don't remember any other problems that we had other than that in the earlier years, but I know for a fact that they handled that crisis very well. The PTSA took a huge part in that, sold stuff after school, a lot of merchandise. And I don't think anyone ever talked about it just the students did sometimes , but we saw North Terrace as a rival sometimes. Honestly this school doesn't suck. But that was my experience with it. They did a pretty good job, I hope they keep going at it. :)
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2017

I wanted so badly to love this school. Instead it was a nightmare filled with my son suffering and facing setbacks. This school year they consistently used the excuse that they were facing set backs due to full staff change out. From the get go they failed even the most simple of tasks such as class assignments. They opted on fully integrated for special needs but couldn't provide aides. Instead of bringing that to the parents attention they instead provided an aide for morning drop off for good face. About five weeks in I discovered that aide was only available here and there.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2016

My first grader has had an excellent experience at Santa Margarita. The entire staff is professional and very dedicated. The admin staff and teachers are very open to communication with parents. I can only speak for 1st grade, but the class sizes are around 20 students in each of the 5 classes. Homework comes home 1x/week and includes worksheet activity and 20min of online language arts and online math that is tailored to the individual child's level. The school promotes health and wellness in the cafeteria and with a running club before school that is open to all students. As a standard 1x/week they get PE, library, and STEAM. There is no Art or Music instruction for lower grades. This is a GREAT school because the leadership and individual teachers continuously try to find ways to challenge students academically , promote character values, and have fun at school assemblies and at school dress up days and holiday celebrations involving student creativity.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2013

First of all, some of this information is outdated. 1. This school is K-7 and is adding 8th grade next year. 2. The average class size is no where near 21. In fact, it's over 30. And we'll over 30 in many. Last year was our first year here, and I was mortified by the class sizes. I feel like we were very lucky and both of our children had great teachers, both who were used to teaching in CA with these huge classes. We are moving soon, and I guess we'll see when we get where we're going if our kids are behind. The experiences we've had at this school have all been good. I honestly believe it takes a special person to be. Teacher, but it takes a saint to put yourself in front of a class of more than 30 elementary school children.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2013

Having my child there from kinder to 3rd grade, I have seen the good and the bad. No school is perfect. However the amount of support my daughter has gotten from the staff-from noon duties to the principal- has been nothing short of amazing. The speech therapist Ms Landini is my childs speech therapist and we have made strides, especially since her syndrome is what causes her impediment. Pat Kurtz has taken every accomplishment my child has made since kinder like she was her parent, always supporting her and beaming when that time came. Even the office staff knows my child and takes special interest in her well being. Mr Frank, the janitor, is one of the nicest people and ensures that my daughter eats every day (she has a tendency to forget), and has taught her a lot about responsibility. My daughters 3rd grade teacher, Mr Tiger, has literally turned my daughter from an insecure, unmotivated child, to a beaming, confident, spunky little girl. I have had an exceptionally good experience here, and I am sad we are leaving next year. The amount of support the school provides is amazing, and I hope that we can find a school for her next year that can match that of Santa Margarita.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2012

Excellent school, for being overcrowded at the new campus they handle things well. The teachers are all great, and genuinely care for the kids. My son has gone there from Kindergarden to 5th grade, and my daughter has from K-2 so far. I have had nothing but positive things to say about the teachers and staff. I wish I weren't moving this summer- I would love for my daughter to finish elementary there as well. The only things that are lacking are an arts/drama program (not the school's fault- California's budget is to blame), the music program could be more extensive (again- not the school's fault), and the class sizes could be smaller (the trend continues- not the school's fault).