La Mirada Academy

3697 La Mirada Drive

San Marcos, CA 92078

School District

San Marcos Unified
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for San Marcos 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 other on September 11, 2023

I went to this school from TK-8th grade. My whole elementary experience was at Alvin Dunn and it was perfect. Teachers looks to always be happy and had a very great environment. I learned a lot and they school had a high budget so we went to a lot of field trips. I was the second wave of "middle" schoolers and for 6th grade we have a brand new building/school called LMA. We started to have some problems, there were a lot of fights/drug problems. I honestly don't know why they made the school into a K-8th, biggest mistake the school district has done. I recently received news that many of my old teachers from both elementary, mostly middle school teacher have quit due to bad management/quality of the school. The school isn't IB anymore because there have been no results from the program and it costed too much money. I do believe that there is still hope for this school if they get better staff to put the school back on track. If you have kids attending this school, tell them to be respectful to the teachers/staff, they don't get paid enough and they already do too much for the school.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2022

Very wonderful school with amazing staff. My child has special needs and they do a fantastic job meeting them.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2022

We love La Mirada Academy! This is our 4th year here and we’ve had great teachers every year. Our daughter excelled during virtual school, and didn’t suffer the setbacks that many have nationwide. The school keeps us informed. We love the IB programming and all the resources at the school.
Submitted by other on July 02, 2021

Ive had several friends go to this school and were very traumatized by it, the work was ok, but it was the management that suffered greatly. I once volunteered here with a group and we pledged to never go again, not only were the PTO rude and disrespectful, but the teachers themselves were too
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2019

We love everything about La Mirada Academy. Great teachers and a great atmosphere. The rating is inaccurate and not fair.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2019

I love all the changes in La Mirada Academy! The teachers are committed to doing everything it takes for our kids. And the new school building is amazing!
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2018

Horrible dishonesty bad favoritism bullying adult teacher bullying everything you do not want for your child.! Well unless your a teacher or - professional.! Maybe then your voice will be heard.!
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2018

Amazing.If I move, I will be sure to stay within Alvin Dunns/ La Miradas district
Submitted by other on August 26, 2018

This school gets better every year! It has a very hard working staff and great administration!
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2018

The IB program has completely revitalized this school and we cannot wait to see the new school built!
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2015

Our Daughter, who is 4yrs old and will be 5 in October, has been attending school at Alvin Dunn Elementary in their PreK program, since October 2013, when she turned 3 yrs. We have been so very pleased with the School and especially with her Teacher, Mrs. Perkins and all of her assistant through out the whole time she attended the school. Our daughter also enjoyed their summer school program, with Mrs Perkins. We are very proud to have had our daughter to have graduated PreK and now ready for Transitional Kindergarten starting this year. Our daughter who had a few issues, like socializing and transition from one activitie to the next..now loves talking to everyone and has learn how to transition to another activities. She has learned so much and has come along way. I would highly recommend Alvin Dunn Elementary!!! Thank you AD!! The Smith's XOXO
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

My son lasted only seven months as he was repeatedly bullied at the school. I also volunteered in his second grade class and was a witness to the undisciplined behavior of many of the students at recess.School say they have a zero tolerance with bully students but that's such a lie at San Marcos unified school District. He now goes to charter school.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

I have 3 children that have attended Alvin Dunn. One of the three is still at Alvin Dunn as a 4th grader. My eldest did all his elementary at Alvin Dunn and the San Marcos district. He graduation with honors and this fall will be entering his 4th year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in Bio Scienve engineer. My middle child is currently a sophomore at SMHS and doing exceptionally well. I thank Alvin Dunn for their love and passion of providing such a good learning experiene for the students. A special thanks to Alvin Dunn teachers and their genuine interest for the students having a successful future.
Submitted by other on August 29, 2013

I am really disappointed in the 3 out of 10 rating for the API for Alvin Dunn school. Why is it that this is not a 10 or an 8? This is just not acceptable. For yrs it has been at a 4, and I was really disturbed by it. Now it is a 3? Is this all we can offer our children? Feeling the need to get my grandson out of this school,fast. When is this going to be a school of high ranking? and why isn't it!!!???
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2013

Since my son began kindergarten at Alvin Dunn, my husband and I have been astounded at the impact the program has had upon our son. Although our five-year old spent three years at a private Montessori school prior to entering Kindergarten, his love of learning took off exponentially when he began kindergarten at this soon-to-be IB world school. A former AP teacher myself at two of San Diego s highest performing high schools, I was and continue to be astounded at the impact this inquiry-based learning model is having upon our son. I currently work as an Assistant Principal at an IB world school in Vista, and I can say that Alvin Dunn is cultivating in its students what International Baccalaureate students worldwide strive to be: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. The program has turned my reluctant reader, writer, and Spanish-speaker into a boy who is hungry for learning & innovation; every lesson crafted has purpose and meaning. Our family is proud to be members of the inspirational Alvin Dunn learning community. -Shannon Hampton Garcia, Assistant Principal, Rancho Buena Vista High School
Submitted by other on August 31, 2010

Although I live in NY, my grandson attends this school and I was really impressed with the way he read after completing the first grade. While visiting over the summer he loved reading to me and I believe he reads better than my other grandchildren who attend school in NY.
Submitted by student on April 12, 2007

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