Rancho Elementary School

31530 La Serena Way

School District

Temecula Valley Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Temecula Valley 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 30, 2025

This school is evil. My child gets bullied and during fire drills they put the students on the most flammable thing ever! Grass. And the principal is super strict but nice to my child. Vice principal Mrs Steven’s is super kind and the VAPA teachers are very kind like Mr .G the art teacher.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2024

I have had experiences with a few other elementary schools as my family has moved a few times. While the principal may come off as serious/strict, I really enjoy every aspect this school offers. The teachers are extremely involved and knowledgeable. One of my kids was having a difficult time transitioning into this school. Her teacher regularly gave me updates and checked in with me with my daughter’s progress. Even the front administrative workers are friendly and kind. My children are always telling me new things they learned and all the activities they get to participate in. I think they are on track academically because of the help of their teachers and librarian here at Rancho. I have no knowledge on special education so I cannot speak on that. Everything else seems great here
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2024

This is by far the worst school my children have attended. Academically the curriculum is sufficient and the school facilities are good. The primary issue with the school stems from the current principal. Her leadership method is demeaning and demoralizing. Our family has encountered it first-hand as both students and parents. On several occasions, she has failed to effectively communicate with us as the parents and runs the school like a dictator. My children truly despise attending this school and we are more than likely going to move them to another school in the near future.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2023

Teachers and staff at this school are great but unfortunately the principal is horrible! Runs the school like a military camp and a dictatorship. Talks to parents like they are children and diverts any problems to the front office staff. Since taking on this position she has ran the school to the ground. Children can sit with friends at lunch, they have to stay quiet while they eat, she has the kids sit outside in the rain or when it is extremely hot outside, and allows bullies to continue bullying with no repercussions. Due to her passive aggressive attitude and total of lack of regard for her staff, the school has suffered the loss of some amazing teachers this year. I can only hope that the district will see the decline in students staying at the school and lack of parent participation, so that a change can be made in administration.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2022

We absolutely love the staff from the front office to the teaching staff. I think they do a great job of communicating with the parents.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2020

I think the school is decent. It has gone through 2 principals now since the main mean one left. I think the no celebrating a birthday in class is ridiculous. I think the teachers that teach a higher grade should it teach first grade... my daughters teacher has no patience for kids. My first impression was she doesn’t like kids. When I’m reality, she taught 3rd grade last year and now first grade, it’s a transition. They are remodeling the school next year so the kids will be disbursed into 2 other schools....
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2017

Excellent teachers. Great principle. Excellent parent participitation
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2014

My family has been going to Rancho since 2009. Most of the teachers are wonderful, some are okay. My kids are in the top of their class and generally happy. I have never cared much for the principal, Ms. May, but since my kids are generally well behave I have not had to interact with her. Fast forward five years and a serious issue arises with my 5th grader. The principal dismissed and did not address my concerns. Instead she responded with political rhetoric. When my son tried to defend himself he was bullied and intimidated by Ms May. Now she had begun representing my son as a bad kid. Ms. May is not interested in learning about or dealing with any problems at her school. She will distract, cover and resolve nothing. He is not perfect but he is a good kid. He gets straight A's, has a college reading level and has scored in the top 1% of STAR tests in past years. He is not the type of student who should be having problems with his principal. I have decided to pull my 4 kids because it has become painfully clear to me that the kids well being is not a top priority for Ms May. The API is not worth the frustration you will encounter if you do have a problem you need help with.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2013

After having my son here for 3 years now, I have to say I'm not too thrilled about this school. I thought moving to Temecula Unified meant great opportunities, but for the past few years it has been nothing but disappointment. This year my sons' teacher is ok, but the others were clearly just doing their job. We moved here from a San Diego IB school, and the quality of education are world's apart between the two. The classes are crowded, so expect the teachers to be overwhelmed. The principal puts up a friendly front, but if you email her she will generally forward the inquiry to someone else rather than respond to you directly. If your child is a GATE student, forget about any sort of enrichment opportunities. All they do is gather for 2 field trips on non-school days twice a year. Teacher's are supposed to give GATE students more "challenging work" but we have not had a single teacher who has attempted to do this. Maybe they're overwhelmed. It's such a shame that there is no pull out program in place or similar. On the bright side, the staff is fantastic. Catherine Alm is nothing short of amazing. PTA is great. Wish they would use social media to keep us informed more though.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2012

I just moved to the Temecula area and can not say enough great things about Rancho. The principal Ms. May is completely involved and has such a friendly fun loving spirit. The office staff, especially Catherine Alm, is amazingly busy but always has time to smile and answer questions. The PTA is active with down to earth parents (both moms and dads) and the kids really make life long memories at the events the PTA sponsor. The teachers...all I can say is, "WOW!" These teachers love their job, they love their kids and their efforts go above and beyond. I truly believe that this IS the best school in Temecula. I have lived in Northern Va. and Frisco, Tx which have good schools as well but Rancho has that extra special "something." Oh and I have 4 kids that go here so I am covering ALL ages from K to 5th!
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2012

My daughter had an amazingly awesome experience at Rancho Elementary School following several years of private school. The teachers really seem to go out of their way to find interesting and fun ways to teach their classes and were readily available after school if the child needed extra help. Parent volunteers were always welcome. The positive attitudes and encouraging words of the entire faculty does wonders to build-up the self esteme of the student body. We loved this school!!