Community Roots Academy

Posted: May 20, 2025

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We are going on our 7th year at CRA and have been extremely happy. The teachers and administrators genuinely care about the students and the parent community is strong. As we are approaching the end of the year my kids are sad for the year to be over. They love their teachers, friends and what they are learning.

Posted: May 20, 2025

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Posted: May 19, 2025

My children have thrived at CRA from kindergarten to middle school. They have enjoyed the projects they get to explore every year, the field trips, and the community we have become a part of! Lots of things to love about CRA! Not every school is perfect, but this has been a great fit for my kids!

Posted: May 19, 2025

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Posted: June 19, 2024

I have two children attending CRA, one in middle school and one in elementary school and I recommend the school to all families looking for a whole child/big picture approach to education. In general the K-5 experience is just so fun and well rounded. Kindergarten classes have about 18 students, while other grades have around 30 students per class. Both of my kids are doing great academically and testing well above grade level.

The school incorporates project-based learning so that students always have 1 project they are working on, completing about 3 big projects per year. Parents are invited multiple times throughout the year to visit the classroom at the end of each project for interactive project presentations. The projects are worked on at school during dedicated project work periods with no parent help needed. Other than that, the day to day curriculum at CRA is pretty standard. However, what sets CRA apart is their focus on social-emotional learning, the interaction and collaboration between different grade levels, the eco-friendly green initiatives, and the ample outdoor spaces. The elementary school also has dedicated PE teachers, gardening teachers, a librarian, and an art teacher.

Middle school at CRA has been a welcomed alternative to attending the big middle schools. There’s about 90 students per grade in middle school. The kids shuffle through multiple periods through the day at CRA similar to typical middle schools. Downside is they currently have no honors-level courses or foreign language classes at CRA. Despite that they do have a wide range of other activities and electives. Students can participate in competitive robotics, orchestra, various competitive sports (cross country, soccer, basketball, volleyball, surf team), dance/cheer team, competitive debate team, and leadership opportunities (ASB). Electives for middle school currently include Art, robotics, digital media, business, agriculture, environmental sustainability, healthcare, and Model UN.

The school is very supportive of parent involvement, offering Parent Education and volunteer opportunities often. All grades experience field trips, including overnight trips starting in grade 4, culminating in an exciting Washington D.C. and New York City trip in grade 8. Many families I know have had students graduate from CRA and go on to excel in high school and beyond, achieving scholarships, becoming valedictorians, and being accepted into prestigious universities.

Posted: June 19, 2024

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We attended several tours before entering the lottery, and were initially very impressed. The campus is gorgeous -beautiful trees, sustainable landscaping, a large vegetable and flower garden, a butterfly garden, bird feeders, etc. CRA also plans fun field trips, especially starting in 4th grade. CRA parents tend to be fairly involved and CRA does provide opportunities for parents to be involved with the school. The founder highly praises the PBL approach and the importance of social-emotional learning at CRA.

However, as time went on, we became very disillusioned about the implementation of the school's goals and ideals. Faculty turnover is very high. Some years, there is only one teacher who remains at a particular grade level. The teachers hired to replace lost faculty are frequently young and inexperienced and may have done some substituting or, in the best-case scenario, worked as student teachers. Even new experienced teachers come into the school with zero PBL experience. Once there, they get minimal support from other teachers and administration to manage a successful student project. CRA prides itself on its electives -music, art, garden, PE, and library. In the years my child has attended, I have never heard about anything learned in these specialized classes. My child couldn't even remember the teacher's name in many of these electives, and my child truly has a love for learning.

The biggest issue at CRA is the administration. The elementary school principal is extremely dismissive of parent concerns, and if you bring up any concerns, you will be labeled as a difficult parent and ignored. Many teachers do not value feedback and even minor questioning of their methods will result in you being ignored for the rest of the year. The teachers also seem overwhelmed with a lot of behaviorally challenged kids. It is not uncommon for kids to argue with teachers and use profanity. Teachers regularly dismiss students' concerns about unkind classmates or interpersonal problems. The teachers seem a bit helpless because the administration does not step in to support them. Despite CRA's supposed commitment to social-emotional learning, implementation of such programs is fragmented and haphazard at best, so kids who really need it, often go without support.

CRA really needs to develop a STEM program. Many Capo and Saddleback schools have a STEM lab and CRA has fallen behind. In general, it isn't a strong school for math and science-oriented kids.

Posted: March 20, 2024

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Overall, we have had a very positive experience at CRA.

Posted: March 4, 2024

Posted: May 31, 2023

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Posted: May 31, 2023

I wish that I had taken my child out at 5th grade for a traditional middle school but COVID through us for a loop. This school is probably good for kids who are able to focus and follow directions, but not for kids who's executive function is still a work-in-progress. The teachers are pulled in many directions and aren't able to hone their teaching skills. The more energetic kids act out from boredom and teachers don't know how to engage such kids. The schools good for kids who are good at school but not for kids who aren't.

Posted: May 31, 2023

Posted: May 19, 2022

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Posted: May 19, 2022

This school has a lot of bullying and inappropriate behavior at young ages…..

Posted: May 19, 2022

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Posted: February 5, 2020

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Posted: February 5, 2020

Amazing!!!!! We love CRA!!! We feel it’s a perfect balance of fun and academics. My daughter is excited to go to school everyday!!! Enjoys learning due to all the hands on projects and outlook the school has on learning.

Posted: February 5, 2020

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Posted: January 23, 2020

The homework here is meaningful and reinforces what was taught in class.

Posted: January 23, 2020

All of our child’s teachers have been excellent!

Posted: January 23, 2020

Posted: January 23, 2020

They understand how children learn and provide teachers with the necessary coaching when needed.

Posted: January 23, 2020

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Posted: January 23, 2020

Amazing! I love this community of parents and staff!

Posted: November 22, 2019

I hate this school. This school has not helped me succeed and has not given me the education I have been hoping for.

Posted: November 22, 2019

The homework is too easy and there’s not a lot of it

Posted: November 22, 2019

They are very strict and do not respect the fact that we have different ways of learning

Posted: November 22, 2019

They make the kids into mean and bossy people

Posted: November 22, 2019

The teachers are mean to the kids when they try to have fun even at recess

Posted: November 22, 2019

The aba teachers are very rude and they pull the special ed kids out of class for aba WAY to much. They also don’t give them any freedom and treat them like numbers, not people.

Posted: November 22, 2019

The staff say stuff like “use your words.” Put little do they know that makes it very worse.

Posted: June 27, 2019

My daughter was sad, because the school-year was over... What can I say?
We Love this School!! :)

Posted: June 27, 2019

I loved, how my daughter's teacher, Mrs. Hsu was so flexible with my daughter's homework. It helped my daughter not to hate her math homework. Actually, with time, her resentful attitude changed, and started to sit down alone, to do her homework. :)

Posted: June 27, 2019

This was my daughter's first year at CRA. Her 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Hsu was amazing!

Posted: June 27, 2019

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Posted: June 27, 2019

We got a lot's of help, my daughter finally loves to go to school again! :)

Posted: June 27, 2019

Posted: June 16, 2019

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Posted: June 16, 2019

Posted: June 16, 2019

Excellent. Students learn to interact and challenge themselves while appreciating different views from fellow classmates. There is TRUE project based learning and the 21st century skills are intertwined in the academic coursework. Instead of testing for the sake of testing and compounding the already stressful academic environment with metrics of no consequence, students are considered as individuals and their development is evaluated for individual progress as well as grade-wide achievement. I very much value the chance for a committed primary school environment where my students can grow surrounded by age appropriate challenges with security andwithout being accelerated into social pressures. Thankfully our district recognizes and supports the distinct learning environment here.

Posted: January 20, 2018

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Posted: January 20, 2018

My daugther attended kindergarten and first grade, until we moved to a better and more academic school that we loved and still going there.
Community roots changed after the first couple years of opening
There is no more second language, there is no more hands on science lab and teachers that are not strong enough,meaning don't have the knowledge to teach different subjects, are teaching those.
Not to mention the lack of leadership and no homework policy.
I am just glad we made the decision to change and it was the best decision ever.

Posted: May 24, 2017

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Posted: May 24, 2017

One complain...This school didn't give my child the access to the online reading program which was the major ELA homework tool for CRA students. My child enrolled in the middle of the school year, so we patiently waited when his teacher needed the time to "set up the account". Every time I asked, teacher came up with lame excuses like "I didn't see your e-mail because the school e-mail server was down, etc", and never ever followed up for next 5 months even after she said "I'll check into it". Then school year was ending... It was unbelievable this kind of thing actually happens at public school!

Posted: March 17, 2017

The administration at this school sells its ideology just to reel in parents and there children. Once they have their numbers of students nothing is done in the classroom to provide the students an adequate learning experience. Teachers are always in meetings regarding new programs they are piloting and NOT learning about how to problem solve in their classrooms, learning best teaching practices, or about the best classroom management techniques. New teachers are not supported but rather left to figure out how to manage a class of 30+ students on their own and later yelled at for not delivering on test scores.
An organization is only as good as its leadership and the leadership at CRA is mediocre to say the least. CRA is as a whole is mediocre as well.

Posted: March 17, 2017

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Posted: November 7, 2016

My eldest child has attended this school since kindergarten in it's inaugural year. We saw this school transition from something special and inspiring (especially for bright kids), to one that is a bit lackluster and political across the board. I really struggled with whether or not to have my children attend the 2016-17 school year, as last school years experience was HORRIBLE for all of my children (I have three). My eldest child scored in the 97th percentile in his 3rd grade SBAC tests in both Math and ELA for 2014-15 school year, and his scores DROPPED to 92th percentile for 2015-16. His teacher that year was horrible -- scatterbrained, disorganized, unchallenging, and I was told on numerous occasions that the "smart kids" tutor the lower-level kids AND complete the majority of the group project work. Not exactly appropriate for 9 year olds to have to shoulder the burden! I have numerous other complaints regarding how issues have been handled organizationally, administratively, and how the teachers are always away from the classroom "at meetings on campus" while the class gets dumped with special subject teachers who have NO CLUE how to speak to children when they are not gaining desired behavior from them.

I'll be honest, the only reason why we have stayed at this school for this school year is because we will likely be moving soon. But now that I think of it, we really should have put the kids in our neighborhood school as it has a "10" ranking on Great Schools. As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20!

Posted: September 22, 2016

This school is a huge hit because it's free of charge, it's not traditional public, and has a little of a feel of private school.
Pros and Cons:
CONS:
* No more foreign language!
* High faculty turn-over
* Low paid faculty
* Curriculum Lacks Math strength
* Curriculum not very strong in Language Arts (writing). - I have seen MANY of the kids' writing in 2nd and 3rd grade that I witnessed while helping in Literacy centers and it was SUB PAR - Pre school level. Parents complained about it amongst themselves.
* A lot of the kids here do not fit into traditional schools, therefore there are a lot of gaps in academic level, they mix dyslexic kids or kids with zero academic motivation with very bright kids, and the bright kids end up tutoring them and not learning more advanced work. They should help the kids who need extra help, and place the advanced ones in groups, for example.
* Hygiene has not been very good in the last 2 years - my kid got sicker here more often than in any other school he's ever been at. They said teachers didn't teach common sense hygiene like coughing into your arm, washing hands, germs, etc.
* When I volunteered and I cleaned a desk, the wipes were BLACK first thing in the morning. I hope this changes this year 2016-17, but they cleaned with plain wipes and not anti-bacterial ones. Very dirty to work on that kind of surface.
PROS:
* Builds positive self-image and self-esteem in kids
* Strong support from teachers when a kid is having trouble.
* Nice staff and faculty
* No academic pressure
* Critical thinking
* Public speaking

Posted: September 22, 2016

They listen to you and immediately put a stop to it. They will talk to the kid who is causing the problem and separate them.

Posted: September 22, 2016

My child was not, so I am not sure. But other parents say "not very much".

Posted: September 22, 2016

Leadership does listen to the parent body, unlike public schools, more like a private school - listening to concerns and addressing them if necessary.

Posted: September 22, 2016

Posted: September 22, 2016

Not strong in Math of Language Skills if your child is struggling. If your child is bright they fall behind and end up tutoring others since they are at a lower level class, while the teachers help the ones who struggle.

Posted: September 22, 2016

In Elementary, homework was not very clear to the parents or students. Even teachers didn't know how to handle the "toolkit" initially in the 2015-16 school year, but it got better by the end of the year. In Middle School, homework was a breeze for bright students and a nightmare for the rest of the kids. In Middle School maybe they should have the "advanced" class and the "normal level" class, if you will. It's part of life, because your "bright" student ends up tutoring the other kids and he/she is not challenged enough academically or intellectually. These are the words of my previous middle schooler at CRA: "Not very challenging".

Posted: September 10, 2015

Posted: September 8, 2015

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Posted: September 8, 2015

Fantastic school and staff! My son absolutely LOVES going to school here! The project based learning environment is amazing and makes sense to fully teach our children and not just teach them to test well.

Posted: September 8, 2015

My 4th and 5th graders just started school here. We switched to CRA because our recent school experiences have been lacking. My oldest used to come home and beg me to stay home. Now both of my kids are eager to get up and go to school! They really like their teachers and have already made friends. I enjoy all of the friendly faces that I have seen on campus.

Posted: September 8, 2015

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Posted: September 8, 2015

Community Roots Academy is a charter in CUSD. Charter school are funded like traditional public schools (have to take the same standardized tests too), have giant fundraisers and receive some grants from community resources because of the style of teaching they practice. There is no fee to attend however the education you get at CRA is comparable to a private school. The children experience their education, rather than memorizing or reading from books. CRA incorporates several subjects in one project combining multiple levels of learning, this is know as Project Based Learning (PBL). All of the teachers have been so caring and really focus on how they can best teach each child.
Spanish, PE, Music, Drama, Art as well as cutting edge technology are taught in each class. From Kindergarten the children begin practicing their public speaking and working in groups. They learn how to give and receive hot and cool feedback and be active learners when their peers are presenting. The scholars are given opportunities to show what they have learned in ways that best suit them, some choose to write a song about what they have learned, others do a news story, write an essay or even make up a board game. This just shows examples of how the teachers give the children the freedom to express themselves as well as share what they have learned.
Community Roots Academy has not been given a permanent location. We have been sharing a campus with another elementary school in CUSD. We have needed to share everything, staggering lunchtimes, start times, and even juggling dates more than once for a back to school night due to conflict with the MPR. Since it's first year it has been unknown from year to year where our campus will be. That is half a decade of unknown, unable to plant our roots. Many of our families drive from the farthest edges of CUSD to be at CRA, some over 30 minutes each way. Our faculty, families and students have been extremely resilient with this uncertainty however a place to call our own space is necessary. If you read information about CRA "kicking students out" of their neighborhood school, please understand we are at the mercy of CUSD as much as any of the other school.

Posted: September 7, 2015

CRA's project-based learning education is the perfect fit for our family. We were living overseas due to work assignments and were suddenly relocated to Orange County. We knew zero about the public school system here and after after visiting public, private and charter schools, we stumbled across Community Roots Academy. Our children started in 2nd, 4th and 6th grade half-way through the school year but thanks to the hard work and caring attention of the teachers and staff, they could not have had an easier transition.

As a multi-cultural and well-travelled family, we really appreciate the diversity of ethnicities, nationalities, faiths and socio-economic backgrounds at CRA. We like this mix of people and ideas and think it's really good for our kids. The academics are solid and the kids are learning real-world skills, not just how to pass tests. There is mastery of learning, not just mastery of knowledge. The school is only a few years old but has grown exponentially - clearly it is doing something (many things!) right.

We had to research what a public charter school was before enrolling our kids - thankfully the information is freely available on the internet. Those who feel CRA should build their own campus or find money for a new location are confusing CRA with a private school and do not understand how a public charter school operates. Their claims that CRA is intentionally targeting, taking over a smaller school or deliberately displacing other students are also false. CRA answers to the Capistrano Unified School District. The CUSD is legally required to find a permanent location for CRA and has researched and short-listed low-enrollment schools for that purpose.

Posted: September 7, 2015

Posted: September 7, 2015

No busy work for homework, only meaningful research projects & extra practice as needed. Children are expected to read.

Posted: September 7, 2015

Students work in groups and are accountable to one another. Adults model integrity, fairness, concern for others.

Posted: September 7, 2015

Happy, engaged kids who love to go to school, committed, caring and extremely professional educators who love what they do, and visionary founders availing themselves of the most current and relevant pedagogical data to make learning meaningful, fun and lasting. This is a project based learning (PBL) charter school, but so much more! We especially love that these teachers spend hours preparing narrative assessments of student progress. This is NOT a rote learning, teach to the test environment, and I'm so thankful that it exists & that we've had the opportunity to send our two children to CRA.

Posted: September 7, 2015

no overbearing homework like our local public school. One of the many reasons we chose CRA

Posted: September 7, 2015

Posted: September 7, 2015

We are so lucky to be at Community Roots Academy. With the exception of class size, I feel like we are getting a private school education. The directors have a clear vision and strong leadership. From Kindergarten on, students are taught public speaking, group work, and community values. Students take drama, music, PE, and Spanish in addition to the traditional subjects. Parent involvement is high and there are so many exciting activities and field trips planned throughout the year. This is a project-based-learning school where students engage in meaningful, authentic projects (example: kindergarten students studied endangered species and took a field trip to the zoo. At the zoo they handed out information cards they had made a presented information about the species to zoo patrons). Furthermore, the student body is very diverse with families from all cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds. We love our school!

Posted: December 4, 2014

CRA is awesome if you want project based learning. If you do not know what that is or do not like project based learning, the school is not for you and you will be disappointed. The school leaders founded the school and are committed to its success. They seem to be there for the long haul. The teachers are great and committed. I have been told there is a very high teacher retention rate. I see that to be true. That is a great selling point. CRA rocks.

Posted: October 1, 2014

After a few years at CRA, we decide to leave and have never regretted our decision. I wanted so badly to enjoy our experience there but the "growing pains" were too much to deal with. In the end, I think the leadership was lacking, the focus of "project based learning" fell short, and the things we didn't realize would be an issue like parking or having access to a library started to pile up. I also think that many of the teachers are inexperienced (as is the leadership) and though new "Pinterest ideas" are fun for the walls, I would have liked to have teachers who could really teach my children. Again, we are lucky to have left and found success in a neighborhood school.

Posted: June 17, 2014

The project-based approach keeps my girls engaged and excited about learning. The teachers are caring and loving. Overall, we have been very happy at this school.

Posted: February 24, 2014

my 2 children have been in this school from day one starting at K and 1st and I could not be happier. both of my children are excelling and are challenged every day. I love that my children are learning to think for themselves and come up with their own solutions. they have become confident in there work, in speaking in front of the class. I have no doubt that if I put them in a regular public school they would excel. however, I truly believe that good schooling is only a small part of their eduction you have to implement what they are learning at home. as a parent I read to my children, I express to my children the importance of reading on their own, practicing math, critical thinking, and problem solving in our every day life. This school may not be for every child. I am grateful that it works for both of mine, and I am grateful that I have a choice. There has been growing pains at this school but the excellence helps me over look that small stuff.

Posted: February 7, 2014

We have been with CRA from the beginning and are very happy to be a part of it. While class sizes have grown bigger than we had hoped, all the other positives out weigh that factor. Students are taught Public speaking, given hands on projects and a diversity of projects keep our son interested and stimulated. The quality of teachers is amazing. Yes, there might be a few negatives, as there are in every school, but CRA is a wonderful learning environment and offers so many opportunities that other public schools do not.

Posted: January 7, 2014

We wrote a glowing review of this school from last year. To be fair, we pulled our child from this school and we are completely happy in our new school. My list of reasons are long and would make this school sound horrible. To lighten it up- This school has a bright flight problem. They do not challenge students in any way and have no plans to do so. They over promise and never deliver. The teachers are teaching grades that they are not meant to teach, some of them are teaching subjects they are not meant to teach. The principal means well but he is not capable of leading the school to a successful future. Finally, the school has an incredibly high percentage of kids that cannot make it in a regular school, whether it is behavioral or other disabilities, so their parents sought an alternative. This has created an extremely chaotic environment that is not found typically in other schools and I believe hinders their ability to teach effectively thus resulting in mediocre learning and the flight of brighter students. Lastly the classroom ratios are no longer that much smaller than other public schools.

Posted: January 6, 2014

This is my kids first year at CRA. My Son which always made reading a chore, now reads on his own will and is finally enjoying books! My daughter loves loves this school, She has always enjoyed school, but now she gets upset if she misses or even gets to school late. She wants to learn and isn't afraid to speak up in class if she needs help or further explanation for anything. Their teachers are wonderful and seem very excited to be the there. The principal is great and does have a presence at the school.

Posted: December 14, 2013

This school has a great idea but lacks implementation. What students actually learn is different than what is explained to parents. There is very little homework in all grades and the academics aren't rigorous. The class sizes are small which is a plus and there is a strong sense of community and community partnerships. However, students in multiple grade levels did not perform well on last years CST test despite the small class sizes and innovative approaches. The school spends a lot of money on technology , but not on textbooks. Some grade levels did not have core textbooks and workbooks until half the year was over and some grade levels do not have them this year either. While project based learning is an innovative approach, students spend too much time on projects in the classroom and not enough time on math and language arts. The principal is often unavailable and does not respond to suggestions well. He is defensive and lacks follow thru. Overall, the school was a disappointment.

Posted: December 4, 2013

Community Roots Academy is a much needed blessing in the South Orange County area. The school administration & staff are professional, the PBL curriculum is proficient, & the environment offers a sense of true, grounded balance. My son is eager to go & is better for having been there. He told me recently he was happier now, & when I asked why he simply said, "School." What more could I ask for?

Posted: October 20, 2013

Excellent! I couldn't be happier. Charter schools are the best, and project based learning is the best. Why not teach kids to love learning, remember what they learn, and not just be at school for hours.

Posted: September 25, 2013

Fantastic school! Teachers, administrators, staff are all very friendly and professional. The community of parents and students are very welcoming! Parking for drop off and pick up and a little challenging but they are constantly working on making it flow better.

Posted: September 25, 2013

This is my granddaughters school. I joined her and her mother on her first day of kindergarten and was very pleased with the organization of the school and classroom, and the welcome I received as a visitor on this busy, hectic day. I also attended some parent organization meetings and was so very impressed by the enthusiasm and inclusiveness of these groups. I am a retired elementary teacher, so I had some idea what to look for, and I look forward to my granddaughters first year of school.

Posted: September 18, 2013

Fastastic school! The administration and staff is dedicated, caring and every single one of them believes in the school's mission. Parents are thrilled to be here, students are learning, having fun and gaining important lifelong skills. This is a place where creativity, leadership, passion for learning and teamwork are a part of the school's culture. My favorite things about CRA: - narrative report cards (in addition to the standard numerical grades) that describe the child's strengths and weaknesses, and truly evaluate their overall performance - oral presentations, group projects, and other classroom activities that teach important life skills in addition to core subject matter - art, music, drama, spanish, an excellent after school enrichment program, field trips and special projects - lower class size, associate teachers in each classroom - everyone is here because they want to be! You don't get the feeling that this is "just a job" from any of the educators working with your child - the culture extends beyond the classroom ... students and parents act as if they are on a shared mission with the school A truly great schoool and a great place to be a student!

Posted: September 11, 2013

We completed our first at CRA last year. The best assest of the school was our particular teacher. We also enjoyed the project based learning. However, the school has a few key areas they need to improve upon - communication with parents, organization across the board and improving their school facility (it is outdated). If you have a child with special needs, I also highly recommend that you keep your own set records and check in often with the administration to make sure your child how is progressing on their goals. Stay involved.

Posted: August 31, 2013

I love everything about this school.... :) My daughter loves it here.... She has been here since her first year it opened in Kindergarden and now she is going into second and cant wait...

Posted: June 25, 2013

Just finished our first year at CRA and we couldn't be happier. Our daughter's love for learning has returned and she know is excited to go to school. Presentations and group work have helped her to grown tremendously in her self-confidence and leadership. Skills that she has struggled with in the past are not clicking because they are being presented in more meaningful and interesting ways. Having minimal homework has bettered our home life and given us back the balance in our life. Staff and parents are amazing. Feels like a private school and we feel blessed to be able to attend CRA.

Posted: June 18, 2013

This is our second year at Community Roots Academy. From the Project Based Learning curriculum to Active Citizenship projects in the community ... all with an active faculty, staff and PTO team who are talented, dedicated and loving ... we couldn't be happier.