Oak Valley Middle School

Posted: January 31, 2026

It was okay I guess to be honest I did not like OVMS this year last year was nice though. Some of the Teachers don't really provide that much support for kids who need help and aren't really friendly there aren't many janitors only two and the Bathrooms reek plus there is a lot of bullying.

Posted: January 31, 2026

Posted: January 31, 2026

Posted: January 31, 2026

Posted: January 31, 2026

Posted: January 31, 2026

Posted: January 31, 2026

Posted: January 31, 2026

Posted: October 20, 2025

This school is, in simple words, not terrible. Sometimes people vape in the bathrooms. Sometimes older kids beat people up. If you don't know them, they won't have a reason to beat you up so they won't. I am a subject of none of this. I don't know much about what it's like. But half of the people have a good time here, and half have a less than good time here. The kids are intelligent. There are many club opportunities. Special education kids are not mocked, as far as I have seen. Kids aren't seriously racist or anything. The bathrooms are bad as anything, but it's better than some. Parents, if you're thinking of sending your child here, it depends on a lot of things, like their grade. (6th graders are insanely more tame than older kids.) This school's nickname given by kids is Smoke Valley. It is not apparent of any smokers, though. Kids occasionally disobey the cell phone policy (during orientation, an ASB member said it was ok to leave your cell phone on silent instead of powered off which the rules said. Another ASB member hasn't heard that a student handbook existed.) So, this place could be better, but it's not terrible.

Posted: October 20, 2025

Posted: October 20, 2025

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Posted: October 20, 2025

Posted: August 18, 2025

This review is only about the pick up and drop traffic and its a mess.
Kids walking/commuting in and out of this school during start and dismissal time is literally smoking fuel. Its really bad for their fragile lungs.
California schools need green school busses rather than expecting all parents to buy an electric vehicle and then spend 60 minutes in car during start and dismissal time in spite of being just 2 miles away from school.

Posted: August 18, 2025

Posted: August 18, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

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Posted: February 25, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

If you have options, do not send your child here. The educators do not have tools to support you child, and make them feel they're not capable or don't have faith in them, as shared by my child.
The IEP team will go against parent wishes, and make decisions that impact to the detriment of the child. Unfortunately I can't share details, but I highly recommend against this school. Yes you read that correctly, they make decisions that go against a parent decision and against process and the protocol of handling this.

There are unaddressed bullying, that leaves a lasting impact. The school does little to challenge this rising issue at school.
The school teaches children about him/her/they/them, and other transgender without parent permission or acknowledgement, creating confusion in an already precocious confusing age. This has added to the stress of my child and many peers.
We had a male teacher that was bullying our child, and the child was removed from the classroom to address.

Shame on this school system.

Posted: September 15, 2024

I was happy when my child joined the school this year.
A month later, very disappointed.
Some teachers talk about politics to 11-year old students and push their political views on them. A boy tried to argue and was shunned by the teacher. This must stop as a school is not a place for pushing political views and propaganda on children as young as 11 years old.

Posted: September 15, 2024

Posted: September 15, 2024

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Posted: September 15, 2024

Posted: August 6, 2023

Posted: August 6, 2023

Posted: August 6, 2023

Posted: August 6, 2023

Posted: August 6, 2023

Posted: August 6, 2023

Posted: August 6, 2023

Posted: August 6, 2023

Great teachers, quality education, admin is not the best but definitely not bad. Teachers show they care and go above and beyond, consistent quality teachers, clean campus other than the bathrooms which are quite disgusting.

Posted: January 10, 2023

is the best school in poway and is a 100% reacamend

Posted: January 10, 2023

Posted: January 10, 2023

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Posted: October 6, 2022

Worst school ever, please don't send your child here.

Posted: October 6, 2022

Posted: October 6, 2022

Posted: October 6, 2022

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Posted: August 17, 2022

Posted: August 17, 2022

Posted: August 17, 2022

Posted: August 17, 2022

Posted: August 17, 2022

Posted: August 17, 2022

Posted: August 17, 2022

Posted: August 17, 2022

I had high hopes this school would be a great place for my kids, but unfortunately the school has many issues with kids bullying others, some of the teachers are not teaching subjects that are important in life but instead that are indoctrinating and enforcing pronouns, and social agendas. One teacher in particular was forcing my child to learn pronouns. CRT is very much part of the curriculum. There are no sports and there was only two clubs on this school, the Jewish Club and LGBT so my kids did not feel included. Kids were being passed candy to join the LGBT Club. I am a minority and somethings that children are being taught were very offensive.

Posted: March 21, 2022

My second child is now in the 8th grade at Oak Valley. I experienced both the last principal and the new one. Am I happy with this school? No, not at all, albeit for contrasting reasons. My first child got somewhat decent teachers in 6th and 7th grade, however 8th grade was abysmal and pretty much set the stage (together with my son’s temperament) for a very rough high school experience. The teachers didn’t seem to care and the administration was just rude. As far as my latest experience with my second child and new principal… well, the entitlement and attitude is strong with this staff! I have never experienced children and young adults be so disrespectful and rude to parents. However, have a couple of interactions with administrators and you realize it pretty much starts at the top. We should be teaching kids how to be better communicators, but when the principal himself tells bold faced lies and ignores parents, well there is a problem. The education could be good, but is definitely hit or miss. The students are mostly spoiled, rude, and entitled. There is bullying galore, but all administration does is wax poetic about how great and caring they all are. It’s nonsense! Additionally, there are a couple of teachers who speak entirely inappropriately about things such as being able to give the kids puberty blockers if they could so they can transition. I have nothing but respect for transgender individuals who are truly suffering, but what takes place at this school borders brainwashing. Society is on a slippery slope regarding trans issues, it is a pity for authentic cases and it’s a pity for those who truly want to help people figure out who they are. This school is doing a very poor job in the gender identity realm. The place has an intimidating energy about it and I will be so glad to be done with this school. If you have an alternative, then I would take it.

Posted: March 21, 2022

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Posted: March 21, 2022

Posted: August 25, 2019

Posted: August 25, 2019

Posted: August 25, 2019

In one word, awesome! I don't about the new principal, the previous principal was not a racist, had a genuinely great attitude and good intentions as far as the pupils were concerned. Hopefully, the new principal does not undo the good the previous one did , and leads the school to more success!

Posted: June 26, 2019

Awesome , rational teachers , who treat all students equally and are great at their jobs.

Posted: June 26, 2019

Posted: June 26, 2019

Posted: June 26, 2019

Posted: August 14, 2017

Posted: August 14, 2017

Posted: August 14, 2017

Posted: August 14, 2017

Posted: August 14, 2017

Posted: August 14, 2017

My daughter attended this school and developed many mental health issues. In no way am I saying that this was linked to the school, it was just her genes. What I am saying is that the school handled it awfully. One teacher going so far as to mock my daughter in class saying she just wanted "the easy way out." Getting accommodations for my child was an absolute nightmare and god forbid you wanted to have a civilized conversation with the principal who was very unfriendly and defensive about any legal matters involving the school. Sanitary conditions were also a huge concern of mine. The school has the number of bathrooms legally required for the large amount of students but only 3 of them remain open all year long because they don't want to clean the others (not that they clean the ones the children actually use!) The whole place is a bit of a dump, minus the interior of the classrooms which were never a problem. Teachers are a hit or miss. I loved some of the teachers but others.... not so much. From what my daughter has told me, the kids there aren't the nicest bunch but are fairly accepting of individuality. Overall, I'm glad my child will be attending a different school in the fall free from egotistical teachers and students who tell each other to kill themselves for laughs

Posted: August 14, 2017

Posted: May 25, 2016

Posted: May 25, 2016

Posted: May 25, 2016

Posted: May 25, 2016

Both my children have attended Oak Valley. I feel like they have received an excellent education. The principal Mr.Currigan is engaging with the students by knowing them by their first names, he makes his presence known on campus at drop off and pick ups by greeting the students coming and leaving. Weekly messages are received by phone to keep parents updated on the happenings for the week. Volunteers are welcomed and appreciated throughout the school. The teachers are dedicated and really enjoy teaching. All around the school has been a great fit for us. My kids are prepared for the next step in their education Highschool.

Posted: March 10, 2016

Posted: March 10, 2016

Posted: March 10, 2016

Posted: March 10, 2016

I'm not at all impressed with this school. Purchased a home in Poway district thinking you will get high quality education but all I've encountered so far are a bunch of teachers that have major entitlement issues.
My son is entering 6th grade this Fall and I went to the Orientation Night at Oak Valley. One of the parents asked about Before and After school care. The principal advised that they don't offer the program. I'm not upset that there's no before and after school program, however, I am upset at the tone and way it was delivered. Like, figure that problem out yourself or to just simply " drop them off later and or earlier". These people don't understand that Poway residents go to work everyday to pay their high-a** Mello Roos and taxes that's why we just can't simply "drop them off later and/or earlier". The the principal had the nerve to ask us to donate our time at school like people don't got jobs.

Posted: October 4, 2014

This school is awesome!! I love it there!! Noone should hate it or dis it because its a really awesome school which has a caring and safe environment.

Posted: August 13, 2014

The administration at this school is terrible! The principal walks around at lunch and yells at the students and listens in on their conversations. He and the vice principal are uninterested in the well being of the students. My student was yelled at by the vice principal because school was missed school due to the flu that was caught from other students. Her concern was not for my students health but the money the school wasn't recieving because of the absence. She threatened my student with detention if school was missed again. Bullying is an everyday occurance. The gates are often left unlocked. On one occasion an unauthorized adult took a child. The police became involved. Several times adults were seen on the grounds that none of the staff recognized nor were they signed in to be there. There were 700 students per lunch time and often only 3 adults supervising them. Injuries were frequent. The principal is involved in lawuits on a monthly basis. We pulled out student out of this school because we needed a safe environment for our child to attend and administation that are concerned about our child, not just money!

Posted: August 12, 2014

The school is very nice and clean. The teachers are warm and welcoming. The education is great and will have your child well prepared. I agree with other reviews. The principle is brash.

Posted: August 5, 2014

Caring VP and 8th grade counselor, but the principle... His got to be replaced, SERIOUSLY!

Posted: May 21, 2013

This is an excellent school. Safe, clean a very positive environment for my daughter. She is having a great experience with teachers, other student and the principal.

Posted: October 29, 2012

The school is great but the principal needs to go. PUSD can do much better!