Vista Del Mar Elementary School

1130 Avenue Talega

School District

Capistrano Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:25
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 January 31, 2022

As a parent of 2 children who’ve attended VDM since kindergarten, I have nothing but great things to say. It’s a wonderful school. I feel blessed my kids get to attend VdM.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2018

Great school that promotes great values and excellence in education.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2017

We had our twins go to K last year and we learned a lot from the experience. We choose private school this year for several mean reasons: VDM is overcrowded school ( 32-37 kids per classroom), high stress drop and pick ups (mad house), shorter school hours per day (too many breaks, Tues very short day) and most important our kids are happier. At VDM Parking/drop off and pick up is absolute nightmare for parents and kids . Almost every day, VDM principal is at the parking helping out by opening the car doors to let kids out...very nice thing to do, but as a parent and part of Talega community I would rather see him at our Capistrano district trying to improve school entrance and parking structure. We have these beautiful rolling hills but very bad school design for such a large school. We did it for a year and survived it but after a year we all said lets try something else. Try it and if you find it is too much for you or your kids, there are many other choices.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2017

Over-crowded and over-rated. I can't say that our experience here has been smooth. Communications have been missed or have incomplete information, the traffic around the school is an absolute nightmare, and attending any special functions is dreadful... big crowds, no parking, disorganized madhouse.I'm trying to remain positive, but compared to my experiences over my 20 years of parenting, VDM needs an overhaul.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2015

We have had our kids at two different private schools in the neighboring area and have to say, Vista Del Mar blows them all away in terms of competence of the teachers and academics, as well as day to day instruction. We are in our 3rd here now and have been extremely happy with the school. The only negative might be the size of the school as it is large, but we have not found this to have disrupted the day to day instruction our kids receive and if anything, has been a significant positive socially, compared to private school experience. We will stay at this school the next 5 years without a doubt.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2014

The Principal, Dr. Troy Hunt, is insensitive & is in this profession for the wrong reasons. My child was in a 4/5 combo class with one of the best teachers at the school. 3 weeks into the start of the school year, the Principal dissolved the class. He split the class up and put 2 students from the combo class into a different class. The children and parents were devastated. The Principal was numb to anyone's feelings. He treats children like numbers, not human beings.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2014

This is a wonderful school. The teachers are caring and the campus is very well maintained. The staff are absolutely wonderful and very caring and cheerful!
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2013

My school is wonderful and always has top API scores. The teachers and staff go above and beyond to provide the best risk free environment so that my children will flourish. It is a large school with a small school feel.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2013

This is a wonderful school, my daughter has finished her first year and my son will be starting in the fall. The parents are very involved, the students are wonderful and my daughter loved going to school, loved her teacher. Such a wonderful community!
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2012

My son has attended VDM for the last two years and I have nothing but nice things to say about our experience there. His teachers have been very caring, organized, and inspiring to my son. The parent involvement at the school is phenomenal. The Prinicipal is the perfect mix of being firm when needed but also someone who the students and teachers alike respect. I've met other parents on area sports teams who used to work for him as a teacher at another location and they too rave about his leadership style and how they miss him and VDM is lucky to have him. The student environment is warm and fun and very conducive to learning. Our family feels very blessed to have a stellar neighborhood school like this that our children can attend. Go Makos!
Submitted by other on April 22, 2012

My grandson is in kindergarten at Vista del Mar Elementary. As a teacher for 35 years, recently retired (12 years teaching kindergarten, I find Vista del Mar to be an outstanding school. I have had wonderful interactions with the teachers and staff of the school. I am lucky to volunteer in the classroom and know that my grandson is very happy there. He is reading due to the excellent kindergarten program and enjoys all the academic and non-academic activities.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2011

Principal is straight-out-of- casting Capo USD administrator. Unimpressive..but clearly impressed with himself. Politics reign supreme at VDM and at Capo USD in general. I receive regular Auto generated calls from Capo USD leadership to cover the latest gaffes in the "storied" history of CUSD. Traffic flow and parking exemplify priority that teachers and admin enjoy over students and parents... Pack a meal when you drop the kiddos off...typical waits of 30-40 minutes for drop off. Parking for Parents...NONE exists....Curriculum?..... Kids are learning to take tests...not to excel academically...again..this benefits admin and teachers..NOT students. Parent involvement is acceptable overall.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2011

I had homeschooled my son for a couple years until we moved to Talega. The school was worth enrolling my son. They have great academics, I love how they go to different classes for Math and Science. He continues to be challenged and the environment has been nothing but loving and nurturing. He is now in 4th grade. If there was a such thing as a perfect school it would be this one. There is a lot of parent involvement. The principal is amazing-- he is never too busy for a parent or child to talk to. He is approachable and really cares about the overall moral of the school. He is great!
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2010

The kind of neighborhood school every child deserves--has a tremendous community of committed parents working alongside great teachers and administrators. Love the K-8 program! Lots of thought has been put into the extracurriculars--this is a very well rounded environment in academics, athletics and the arts.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2010

it is the best school and has very nice kids and staff my daughter and son love it!
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2009

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Submitted by parent on January 06, 2009

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Submitted by parent on November 01, 2007

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