El Modena High School

3920 East Spring Street

School District

Orange Unified
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:28
Type

public

School Map for Orange 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 December 03, 2023

If your child is an athlete, this school is for you. If not, sadly your child will be looked at as inferior, not only by the athletes, but staff and admin as well. Athletes are allowed to bully, harass, make inappropriate comments about females, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. When the issue is brought to the attention of the school, nothing is done. Essentially a blind eye is turned because they're athletes. Clearly a division title is far more important than the well being of a non-athlete student.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2022

The staff in the special education are great like no other. They truly took their time out to work with the children and they always go above and beyond. They always go out of their way for the children and like to handle all problems with positive attitudes. The office staff is amazing as well.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2021

too many undocumented families are sending their offspring to the school and it has a diverse population that makes the learning curve utterly to low to compete with SAT scores or even going out in the world after the high school tenure...scary if your not paying attention, lets not get into CRT and the vax mandating ...whoa,
Submitted by student on June 26, 2019

I loved Elmo! My 4 years there were awesome. I couldn’t have been more glad to be in such a welcoming environment with lovely teachers. I never dealt with bullying there and rarely saw it. This is definitely one of the best schools in Orange County. It may not have the prettiest campus but the environment is the best. Getting involved in the school will also make your 4 years so much more memorable.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2018

Very old, run down campus. Bathrooms are disgusting and a hang out place for drug use and dealing. Administration is concerned with appearances and their own success at the expense of the students' education. For example, the new block schedule: taking a whole year of math or science in one semester is like forcing the child to eat a whole sandwich at once without chewing a single bite. What's the rush people? Why are you pushing the kids to take on so much in so little time? Plenty of hypocrisy and dishonesty. Consider Orange High or VP high before going here.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2018

I have two children currently enrolled at El Modena and my daughter graduated last year. The ap/honors classes have really prepared my oldest to be successful in college. My kids grew academically, socially, and athletically in all of the different programs that El Mo had to offer. The teachers, coaches and administration have been both a great support to my kids and me, as their parent. Go Vanguards!!!
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2018

This school offers great opportunities for success in college, careers and beyond.
Submitted by student on April 24, 2017

I go to Elmo now buts not the best. The people here are mean and the teachers dont care.
Submitted by student on July 31, 2014

This school is probably the best high school in the county. Few schools in OC will provide an excellent honors/AP program in a cultured & diverse environment. Let's face it, OC youth is known for being privileged & spoiled therefore because of it's diverse environment El Modena grounds its students & allows them to be more humble and thoughtful about the society they live in. All high school student bodies are cliquey, but ElMo is overall a welcoming and united community. The teachers are very involved in student activities & are very accessible for extra help. The only department that needs reorganizing is the science department since a lot of excellent teachers left. ElMo has one amazing & dedicated math teacher who teaches three levels of math and provides tons of before and after school help. It does need more math teachers & I hope they start paying attention to hiring more dedicated staff like Mrs. Lissner! I recommend all students to take honors & AP classes because they are one of the most challenging & rewarding classes you can experience. The sports department is excellent for anyone interested in softball, or baseball. The football team is laughable but we embrace it.
Submitted by parent on July 25, 2012

My daughters freshman year at El Modena HS was wonderful. From the first day of registration 2011/2012. The staff and students were kind and heplful. She met new people became good friends with several of them. She joined track n field & cross country. She still continues to get outstanding grades in her Honor classes. Thanks again to the staff and students for making her feel welcome with open arms. Keep it up VANGUARDS!
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2012

El Modena High School is a great school for your child to attend. The teachers are dedicated and motivate the students. There is Wednesday tutoring available for students. The ASB and school spirit is wonderful. The principal and staff is very proactive. Parents receive messages at least twice a month about upcoming events or what is happening at the school.
Submitted by teacher on October 10, 2011

An outstanding staff, terrific kids, and supportive parents make El Modena a shining example of what a high school should be. In my 20+ years in public education, I have never seen more committed, caring, or capable instructors. I work at El Mo, and I can assure you that my own kids will be attending there. Go Vanguards!
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2011

El Modena has been a fantastic school for my children to attend. They have an excellent honors program, a principal who is so devoted and excellent at what he does, and real school spirit! It is ranked high in the state when compared to similar schools and has high AP test pass rates. I think this has been a great high school experience and am proud to my kids are Vanguards!
Submitted by other on January 29, 2011

Interesting comments by the last two reviewers--one about lack of pride in El Modena and the other about punishment. The school provides an outstanding education, which is why it is ranked 10 out of 10 when compared to similar schools and an 8 out of 10 statewide. It also has some of the highest AP pass rates in Orange County. El Mo graduates attend some of the finest universities and colleges in theb country, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, UCLA, and many others. El Modena does set high academic and behavioral expectations for students, but these are clearly communicated and constantly reinforced. The staff really does not tolerate students who defy those expectations, so if your child is out of control or simply unmotivated to do what is asked, you can expect consequences.
Submitted by student on January 18, 2011

It's an education, nothing more. I never really attached myself to the school, I honestly could care less about school "pride" in a high school like this. I'm a senior here, and it seems the school focus more on sports and supporting those in it than those actually trying to get an education anywhere else. However, decent programs for graphic arts, just received new computers and programs this year (Adobe CS4 (all programs in the pack), 3DS Max 2011, Maya 2011, Mudbox 2011, Motionbuilder 2011) classes in graphic arts/animation were my favorite, great teacher! However I can't say the same for a good number of other teachers for other basic classes. Most of them are mixed, you get good teachers, you get bad ones. Overall, its simply an average high school. You get your diploma and move on to better things.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2010

My child at this school is not very pleased with the system that El Modena High School has to offer. I have been in the office speaking with my child's counselor and it seems to me that punishment is more of a priority than getting students ahead such as my child. It is very hard for a parent to go to work and know that my child has to go through such a poor education system. The problem is the staff in general, the teachers simply do not make El Modena a good place to be. The area is nice, however, the teachers and other staff members make the experience a waste of time and government money. This school needs to be changed for other students are going into the school constantly, and the main thing which makes it worst are those who are graduating. To see those unprepared with a diploma is a difficult struggle. To know that students are being treated as unprepared adults makes the whole "American Dream" a joke. This needs to be accounted for a serious matter this is not an exaggeration.