Foothill Oak Elementary School

1370 Oak Drive

Vista, CA 92084

School District

Vista Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Vista 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 February 21, 2023

This school is not recommended for children with disabilities, even though my sons diagnosis is in his records and told them this is why he’s behaving this way they didn’t care. Also I feel like my son was being called names At the school and the school is doing nothing. Epilepsy is a serious condition and cause accident issues and behavior issues I feel like my son does not get the support he needs from this school. I feel like he never gets the help he needs with his homework either. Overall worse school. California honestly I feel have the worse schools. Hoping to move back home to the east coast where my son was born and raised and where he can be welcomed and more supportive and get what he actually needs. The only people I adored was Mrs Brock and Mrs D.
Submitted by teacher on July 12, 2020

I had a great experience during my time at this school. It is a wonderful place to send your child for school.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2017

Very bad. The gates need to be locked because of the poor neighborhood surrounding the school. The crime rate is very high and the school staff is very uneducated especially the office staff. They do not seem to be well educated in the school districts policies. I do not recommend this school at all. Avoid this school if possible.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2016

My children were excited about school under the previous principal. Over the past year or so they have lost their enthusiasm. They have always had a love for learning, but now are bored in school. Too much time is spent on computers instead of activities and learning centers. We are looking at other schools.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2015

I see the staff really working on making this school better, and feel they want the parents to be more involved which is great but when I needed the principal for a question her answer was not what I expected which made really sad, after this my respect for her is gone.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2015

I do not feel welcome at this school. When my children have been picked on by another student the other student has no consequences. Most of the day is spent on 2 subjects.
Submitted by teacher on December 18, 2012

Foothill Oak has changed dramatically in the last year. The new leadership is wonderful and has worked very hard transforming our school into a welcoming, wonderful place for children and their families. The office staff is now friendly and helpful. The teachers feel respected and apreciated and the students are getting to enjoy more subjects than just English Language Arts and Math. The community is welcome and many activities and events have been planned throughout the school year to get parents involved. Foothill Oak is really turning around and becoming a place every student and family would want to be!
Submitted by teacher on December 17, 2012

I am so proud of what our school has become this year. Under the fantastic leadership of our new principal, the culture and overall atmosphere of the school has dramatically improved! Parents are once again welcomed and encouraged to be involved with their child's education. The focus is back on the child. The individual needs of children are being met by recognizing their different learning styles. Many of Foothill Oak s teachers work very late hours developing plans for the students. The hard work of the staff is acknowledged.
Submitted by other on December 10, 2012

School climate is family friendly at Footill! The new school leadership brings a sense of unity- everyone working together with compassion toward goals of excellence for all. I rove from school to school in my job and have seen the staff in the office become more respectful helpful, and caring to students and parents. Excellent teachers share their love of learning.
Submitted by teacher on December 02, 2012

I am the proud literacy coach at Foothill Oak. This is my 2nd year at this site, and I have to say I have never before seen such a positive staff and such hard working teachers! Everyone goes way above and beyond the call of duty to make sure all families are welcome and feel safe and cared for. We have some great programs for families, after school tutoring for students that need extra help, and an awesome afterschool program with the Boys and Girls Club. Our new principal is working hard every day to involve the whole community in making Foothill an exxceptional and beautiful learning environment. Our focus this year is on assuring all students are literate and productive members of our community and are ready for the challenges of college and career readiness! We are moving forward to be on the edge of innovation as we progress toward implementing a 21st century learning environment for all our students. Our staff has high expectations for all and are willing to do what is needed for our students and families. Come check us out!
Submitted by teacher on November 14, 2012

Foothill oak is turning around, This year with new leadership the school is more positive and upbeat. the staff goes above and beyond to help every student. with new programs and extra curricular activities foothill oak is on its way to become a california distingushed school.
Submitted by teacher on November 13, 2012

I am a founding staff member of Foothill Oak Elementary and have taught in Vista Unified School District since 1995, 10 years of that time at Lake Elementary. I am so excited this year to see our wonderful school revitalized with dynamic, child and family focused leadership and a terrific teaching staff. The welcoming environment to the community helps foster involvement of our families in their children's education and the positive support of our teachers encourages new ideas, new programs and hard work. A few of our new programs include Saturday tutoring, art and homework tutoring through the Boys and Girl's Club, Love on a Leash reading to dogs, state pre-school, transition kindergarten class, school beautification Saturdays, running club before school, a student reading lounge for before and after school, and a school-wide pen-pal and science program with scientists in the Amazon rain forest, just to name a few.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2012

I would like to say... that this school has some great teachers! But, the staff in the from office are really, really, RUDE! They need to hire different secretaries. They treat the kids with no respect. They also chose NOT to help us the parents when we have questions. I've had a hard time with them. The school also put my son in ELD classes (my son speaks NO SPANISH!!!) just because of his last name. I heard they do this on purpose to get better testing scores!!! Either way this school is by far the worse schools in Vista Unified District! I give it a -0 out of 10!
Submitted by other on February 26, 2012

What is happening at this school? Long time teachers are leaving mid-year to go to other schools in the district. The principal seems to replace them with brand new inexperienced teachers- which is not what this school needs. Our students deserve the best, most skilled teachers who have proven themselves. The principal seems to have driven away the strongest and best teachers over the last several years. Could this be the reason the test scores are dropping?
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2011

The teachers that I have dealt with have been wonderful over the years at Foothill. But almost all of the other staff at Foothill is extremely rude and definitely not trained to interact with adults or kids. They would be better off herding cattle. It seems to me that the budget cuts are hurting the staff and teachers so much that it affects how they feel and act. The over all vibe at the school is depressing and frustrating. The kids feel it and respond to it. I thought school was suppose to be fun and for the kids. A lot of the kids just seem sad and going threw the motions there is no excitement in their eyes. This school is about test scores, politics, drama, and being prejudice if you re not Hispanic. Then the kids might fit into the program. Thank god there are some teachers that still have the heart to make a difference in a child.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2011

Foothill Oak is a great school! The school has improved steadily over the last two years my son has been going there. The new principal has really focused on academics, student responsibility, and getting more parents involved. My son's teacher is wonderful and I have noticed his improved wits and manners at home. There are a lot of native Spanish speaking kids at this school, but I think my son has benefited from it. I think the people who are complaining about any assistance for kids learning English are just ignorant that instruction in California is done in English.
Submitted by teacher on December 08, 2010

Foothill Oak is an excellent school with many qualified and caring teachers. State data shows that Foothill Oak has made steady progress each year and although it has not met its most recent goal, staff are working diligently with all students to reach proficiency. Character education, free preschool, before and after school tutorials, Kids College classes, the Boys and Girls Club, music programs, and many more opportunities exist at this school contrary to what other reviews have stated. Teachers are highly skilled in engaging students in learning through the use of interactive strategies to motivate students to use higher order thinking skills. The principal wants nothing but the best for the students and staff. Students are recognized for their accomplishments and teachers take pride in all students.