Correia Middle School

4302 Valeta St.

School District

San Diego Unified
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for San Diego 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 teacher on April 16, 2024

In my experience teaching at 10 different schools, I have found that Correia stands out as the most challenging. The dynamics between parents, students, and the principal create a difficult environment. The principal, who is friendly with many parents, struggles to address complaints effectively, often prioritizing appeasing parents over supporting teachers. This can lead to undue pressure on teachers to pass students or accommodate behavioral issues. My heart goes out to the dedicated educators at Correia who work tirelessly in this challenging setting. True educational leadership requires a balance of supporting teachers and addressing parent concerns, rather than sacrificing one for the other.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2023

Transferring in I was a little hesitant. But this school year has been out a great start. My child is excited to go to school has better grades and they have had in previous schools for the same timeframe. Finding friends is been a little bit difficult but the teachers have been very supportive. I love seeing more A’s & B’e than I normally have. The new principal seems to be doing a good job. The community of parents also seems to be very supportive.
Submitted by student on December 02, 2021

It is awful to be in this school. Every day I wake up, the last thing I want to do is come here. There are much better middle schools I've been at like Bernardo Heights middle school. The homework here is pretty good, we're not assigned much and the majority of work is in class. Some teachers are actually really good. Most appear to be hated by everyone. The school doesn't really inspire leadership in any way. One of the worst parts of this school is the character. This school only breaks us down. We have no say in anything that occurs in the school which clearly shows they don't care about what we believe. There is no passion. Every assignment is a mindless waste of time when we could actually be learning something. We have no respect for the teachers or the staff for the way they treat us. The school teaches no different from any other regular school except it does everything worse. The education is budget cut and we have nothing real. Tennis is played with ping pong paddles and most of PE is just running around a track until the period ends. Every day the school is only getting worse because the school is losing money. What i'm so mad about however on money is that they can spend all of their money on lots of new solar panels for the school but can't pay slightly more to get us food that is better than cardboard. There is no menu variety. Or really, there isn't a menu. They give you what the lunch ladies decide they want to give. The most common food they give is either a burger with a rubber patty or pizza that has no flavor and the top just falls off. The kids here are really good and bullying usually doesn't happen. But fights almost always happen. In the first 3 weeks of school, there were 13 fights. The school also just doesn't handle situations well. When a boy pulled another's shorts down in the locker room as a joke, a sexual assault charge was put on their school record. That may seem bad at first until you learn the context. They were both friends, the boy who was "sexually assaulted" said he didn't care. Lastly, they're boys. What do they expect out of boys. As a boy, if I was "sexually assaulted" in this manner I wouldn't have cared. Most of us aren't good at math at all. The math teachers make us do test after test without actually teaching us anything. How are we going to keep up if we are completely changing subjects every 2 days. The average test score here for math is a 54%. Most kids either have an F or C. I've complained enough now.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2019

The administration is highly responsive and the teaching staff is experienced and effective in preparing the kids for high school.
Submitted by student on April 23, 2019

I'm currently a 7th grader at Correia Middle School and as the year is coming to a close I can say that the school isn't the worst. But, it's not the best either. Some teachers need to be more committed to their work and express a better attitude when it comes to teaching. Also, anti-bullying is something the school expresses a lot, but, no action has every actually been taken. Multiple fights have broken out but, the proper precautions haven't been taken to prevent them. Nonetheless, this school has a great school spirit - and the teachers who really take pride about what they're teaching is what makes this a better place.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2019

Good. Academics were above satisfactory, teachers were commited and the campus is undergoing improvements which will add to the school starting in the '19-20 school year.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2018

This school is such a huge step down from Dana Middle School. It was such a disappointing experience. The lack of leadership and responsibility to caring for and educating children is absolutely sad. I ended up pulling my child from this school as coming here had a very negative effect on his mental health. He literally dreaded coming here every single day. No child, especially a gifted child with a love of learning, should ever have to feel that way. This is a school I would absolutely never recommend to anyone. Thankfully my child is in a much better school now where he is once again learning, thriving, and actually enjoys going to school again. We have had zero problems. If you care about your child's well being and education, homeschool them, get them into a charter, or choice them elsewhere. You won't regret getting them out of this toxic environment.
Submitted by student on October 04, 2018

It was a bad experience for me
Submitted by student on March 17, 2017

I am currently a student at correia and personally I think this school isvery beneficial to the enviroment that surrounds us, our teachers offer tutoring if we are struggling from time to time, for FREE! Also, the electives are great, I am in band and it is the best, we have a lot of different instruments such as the tuba, the flute, and the drums! This school is a really good school.
Submitted by student on December 06, 2016

I went to this school for 8th grade and it was terrible, whatever you do refrain from sending your child to this school. Mid-year another student bashed my head into the concrete, and got off with a one day lunch detention. I clearly didn't do anything, I just hit an apple out of his hand. The same student hit and harassed me throughout the school year without getting anything more than a lunch detonation.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2016

Get invested in this school and it will give back to you the way it should - but don't blame the school when you are not invested and it doesn't. The school and/or teachers can't do every parents' job as well. Our experience has been outstanding and my son has never been happier. The administration is invested and has handled all "middle school" issues with respect for my son and the parties involved. The (newer) administration is also the most caring and educated I have ever seen. They want this school to be good, to have funding, and they go WAY beyond to see that happen. All of the teachers my son has had were very good and the seminar teachers are spectacular and caring - even if we wish there was a little less work/stress involved in that program. But, they definitely know what they are doing. The ONLY negative I agree with is that "common core" dilutes the effort of the teachers... Otherwise, amazing and caring administration, facility is improving and very nice thanks to administration and committed ASB and community members, and the teachers are great too! Go Cougars!
Submitted by other on January 12, 2016

Horrible school!If your child struggles with any academic subject, do not send them here as they will fall further behind. Students are given A's and B's on assignments when the completed work content is a 2nd or 3rd grade level. In math, all students are given an A if they complete their homework on time, even though all answers are wrong. Math teacher considers the A to represent credit for completing homework. Good luck getting any support from teachers, as their attitudes are "I have 170 students". Recently, my son's friend left at the beginning of January to go to a different school because his parents also share my same concerns of poor education offered at this school.
Submitted by other on April 08, 2015

Its fun and adventures. It has so many electives, PS. i.m in band and my brother in in Mandarin Chinese. So i think you should put your child/children in this school
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2015

While there are some bright spots at Correia, most of the teachers my two children have had there are medicore. One refused a requested meeting when my child was not doing well, but the counselor would not get involved because we had not spoken to the teacher. Another teacher talks to the class about politics and religion, although it does not pertain to the subject he is teaching. Music and PE are great, the ASB does a good job, and their nurse is very good! As with all schools in San Diego, the class sizes are just too large for kids to do as well.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2014

The new principal is hard working and very responsive. I went to him with a concern a few weeks after he started and he already knew my son (for good reasons). He always finds time to listen and tries to solve problems. While not always solved to my satisfaction, he makes it work out. The seminar teachers are caring, intelligent people that make learning fun and are the cornerstone of the school. The science teachers and PE teachers are also great. The only problem with this school is the same problem with all public schools . . . common core watering down the learning.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2014

The staff here is mostly poor, from the teachers all the way up to the principal. They lack objectivity and are quick to shun any student and/or parent that they do not agree with. The students are out of control most of the time. There are teachers that are playing both social and academic games with the students lives. Do not send your child to this school. Pay for a private school or find an alternative in a different part of the city for the 2 years that your child could be subjected to this chaos.
Submitted by other on July 07, 2013

I just graduated fron Correia. Hello, I have read some of the reviews on this site complaining and bantering about Correia Middle School. But to be honest, it isnt the bad of a school! It has quite a few student, of all sorts, so your child can easily make friends if need be. But the teachers are very nice, some more than others, just like any school but I had a great connection with my teachers and they were always there to help over E-Mail. I just dont know why everyone doesnt like this school, but it isnt that bad of a school. I had a very positive two years tgere and I promise you will too.
Submitted by other on May 17, 2013

This is the worst Junior High School in San Diego. I am hoping that none of my other grandchildren have to attend this school. The leadership is poor, no control over the children.
Submitted by other on May 01, 2013

I am in seventh grade and I hate correia. A lot of the teachers are pretty bad and the school is d-i-s-g-u-t-i-n-g. And there is a lot of bad things that happen or go on at this school like fights and things. A lot of the staff is rude and the teachers are sooo not hands on- they tell you to do something and they expect you to do it perfectly when they have not even gave you any information on it. I do not recommend correia at all.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2013

i fully agree my daughter is so unhappy there i can't wait until they graduate you know they have to have a 2.5 to even walk other schools just 2.0, and the staff is very very rude, just saying!