Union Park Elementary School

1600 North Dean Road

School District

Orange County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Orange County Public Schools

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 October 15, 2024

This school has been a nightmare for my son. The teachers clearly don’t care about their students, constantly yelling at them instead of offering support. When students need help, they’re left on their own as teachers seem uninterested in actually teaching or providing guidance. Bullying is rampant and completely ignored, creating a toxic environment. The new principal, Donald Vega, has made things even worse. He’s not only sarcastic but also openly sexist, which sets a terrible example for the children. His attitude has added to the already negative atmosphere. This school is in desperate need of change for the sake of the students’ well-being. Avoid this school if you care about your child’s education and emotional health.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2024

This school DOES NOT care about drama/bullying. I'm not going to get deep into this topic and share private info but, whenever my daughter or her friends get into drama or get harassed they don't care. There was some boy in my daughter's classroom, He called her Fat, Caseoh, and other things. When my daughter got home, she told me everything. I asked her if she told the teacher, and she said yes. Then I wondered what the teacher did/said. She said "All she did was move my seat away from _____. The teacher also talked with him." (I'm not exposing names) I was mad. I didn't contact the teacher or anything because I didn't want to embarrass my daughter or sound like a Karen. I don't recommend this school because they don't care about bullying and harassment. I recommend going to an "A" rated school rather than a "B" which used to be a "C" school.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2024

My daughter went to this school for two years. If I could leave this school a negative rating, I would. My daughter for two years, was harassed, bullied, assaulted, and received death threats by the male peers. All of this has mostly happened in 2024 alone, and the school didn't do much about it except change her classrooms. There was only one time that the child who assaulted my kid was disciplined. The principle, vice principal, councilors, and teachers all just ignored most of the incidents and just watched things happen. When I asked for the incident reports of all the things that have happened and documented, the vice principal told me that they don't keep records of the assaults or bulling incidents which seems unreal to me. I would not recommend this school to anyone, and I wish I would have removed my kid sooner. The only thing that the staff will do if there is an incident is to let you know at the end of the day, via a phone call. Unacceptable, save yourself and your kid's time. Find a different school.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2021

School grades have been falling down since new Administration.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2019

This school has been like a second home for my three kids. The teachers have been so incredibly supportive and encouraging. The new building complements the amazing staff and students who call UPE their school.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2018

Best teachers are at this school along with wonderful administrators.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2018

My kids love this school. The teachers and staff are awesome.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2018

Union Park Elementary has the most wonderful teachers, staff and administrators. The kids are the #1 priority!
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2018

This school is one that is built on passion for students. This school is inclusive and supportive of all students and is one that advocates for individual needs on a regular basis. There are many opportunities for parent and family involvement and the leadership of the school is one that nurtures trust and support among the staff, students, and families.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2018

Overall I experience was very poor. I am happy much I will be leaving soon, and we will move so that my second child and the rest of our children will not go to this school. Do not put your kid in the school for the dual language program, it is not a magnet program they do not have high academic standards, their dual language magnet is more like a English as a second language program. Being an English as a second language program would be fine, and they would actually be highly rated at that, if that was what they advertise the program as. However all their literature and paperwork says that is a dual language magnet program with high academic standards, it is not that students do not come out speaking Spanish fluently it is not a true immersion program even at 50%, and by the upper grades most students are barely at grade level.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2017

8 stars out of 10 stars and I'm being modest.
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2015

My Son attended UPE for kindergarten, and he was was in Ms.Sagardia's class. She was an AMAZING teacher, who was very caring and funny! She was also very attentive to her email, so keeping in touch with her about my son's progress was simple and easy. As for the School in general, well, it's old, smells of mold, and pickup and drop off is a nightmare!!! so much traffic! I only saw the principal once, it was during orientation. very underwhelming. the after school program was very unorganized and has two teachers for about 100 kids. some high points to the school are:*dual language program*excellent behavior coach
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2011

The Dual Language classes deserve lots of kudos. My major complaint about this school is that teachers expect the parents to do the teaching. It appears to me that many teachers send home the learing plan and expect the parents to instruct their children. Many parents do not have the skill to teach and the child could suffer. When a child is below average in a subject the teacher should focus on that weakness and provide more time for that subject. Union Park is a good school but not a great school