Aliso Viejo Middle School

Posted: August 2, 2025

hakka i dont like you how do you know my name

Posted: February 12, 2025

I attended this middle school all throughout 6th grade to 8th grade. It was honestly one of the worst experiences ever. Socially, everyone talks bad about everyone, trust is nonexistent as soon as you step on campus. I’ve heard best friends talk behind each other’s backs nearly every day. I was lucky to have a friend from elementary be there for me, but it’s honestly so depressing to go to this school even with a friend. A lot of the teachers aren’t helpful, I even had an 8th grade teacher who wouldn’t give out study guides for really important tests. Most of the teachers are very apathetic, I will say though, the English teachers are pretty nice. An example of how terrible some of the teachers are is when my former P.E. teacher blamed a student for their asthma attack and didn’t even bother to call for help as soon as she found out, instead she just lectured the student who literally could not breath. Please, there are better options, don’t go to this school.

Posted: February 12, 2025

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Posted: September 30, 2024

oh god this school is horrifically terrible in EVERY aspect it’s crazy. I’m not just saying this from my experience but from SO SO SO MANY students here.

Posted: September 30, 2024

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Posted: December 23, 2023

My son has come home cyring because teachers are so rude and mean to him and he has been really hurt emotionally and physically at this school.

Posted: December 23, 2023

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Posted: October 17, 2023

There is a lot of bullying here and a lot of inappropriate talk. I’ve had teachers yell at me and throw papers at me. I’ve tried to talk to the counselors multiple times but have heard no response. I’ve also tried to talk to the principal about some of the really bad bullying but got no response from anyone in the office. Most of the kids are really mean and if you’re not a popular kid you will be picked on. Some people might have a good time here but I have not.

Posted: October 17, 2023

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Posted: June 19, 2023

This school is amazing I know friends that go to Don Juan and it sucks. This is fun and is great being a student there, the teachers are nice and are always open to talking about something. Emotion support there is so amazing I can't believe it. I feel safe here too. Choose this school parents!!!

Posted: June 19, 2023

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Posted: July 6, 2022

worst school ever! DONT SEND UR KIDS HERE

Posted: July 6, 2022

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Posted: November 4, 2021

We love AVMS! The new principal Dr Duarte is great! He is very engaging with the students and extremely visible on campus. He is proactively looking for ways to improve the school and have the students feel more connected. The new ASB teacher is developing great lunch time activities, sports tournaments and Dances that the kids are excited about.

Posted: November 4, 2021

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Posted: April 29, 2021

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Posted: April 29, 2021

I went to this school for 6th through 8th grade. I was bullied and the office staff did not believe my story. I left in the middle of 8th grade due to this bullying. If the office staff did not believe me, what makes you think they would believe your child. In addition, I was not challenged at all academically. There are only a few teachers that I actually feel bad work there. Mr. Wade and Mr. Andrews deserve so much better. I can guarantee you, from first hand experience, please try your hardest to send your child/children to a different school, for the sake of them.

Posted: July 29, 2020

I'm a dad. In 2019, my wife and I had a serious concern for our child, who was a student at this school, that we needed to inform the school about. Principal Cynthia Steinert, as well as the vice principal, and two teachers, were very indifferent and invalidating about our situation. Since they didn't know how to give the help our child needed, our child is now finally learning better and enjoying wonderful friendships at a different school.

Posted: July 29, 2020

Posted: July 29, 2020

Posted: July 29, 2020

Posted: July 29, 2020

My experience with administrators has been they don't want to listen to parents.

Posted: July 29, 2020

They have no clue how to teach these types of students.

Posted: July 29, 2020

Posted: January 15, 2019

I’m glad there is a website like this one so that parents can share their experiences. Unfortunately with AVMS ours wasn’t so good. My kids went to this school and the negative comments about the school club are 100% accurate. Parents please keep a close watch on what is going on and being taught at this school. Even though they now have some info on the website about the club it’s not what they claim. Teachers and other school staff should not hide stuff like this from parents. Adults should want to protect children and parents rights to protect their children. I’m not sure why some people want to marginalized what happened. It was terrible, and should have been addressed by the district in a more professional manner with a solution that the parents involved could have agreed upon. It’s shameful that the original complaint was twisted into something that it never was, but apparently that’s the only way the district could justify their decision.

Posted: September 22, 2018

AVMS is an excellent school with a supportive and caring staff. My children have had great experiences so far. The teachers my children have had have been kind, helpful, and have always been available for questions when I’ve reached out to them. The principal Mrs. Steinert does an excellent job and greets everyone each morning in the parking lot with a smile. My children have dealt with some typical “middle school drama” but the school has always resolved it promptly.

As a PTSA Board Member last year, I can say that some of the comments below regarding the GSA are incorrect. When questions arose regarding the club topics, the staff advisors were helpful and provided all the meeting minutes for the year, answered all of our questions, and even discussed having us sit in on a meeting. They were as transparent as possible with all inquiries.

It’s unfortunate to read uninformed comments as most club topics were on finding support systems and how to talk to parents, nothing in the minutes discussed the act of sex. I highly recommend this school and the excellent education they’re providing.

Posted: September 22, 2018

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Posted: July 18, 2018

There are wonderful teachers, administration and staff at AVMS. It pains me to say that it’s unfortunate that there is some staff there that makes it so bad there that I would never recommend this school to anyone. AVMS has found away to get around sex education laws by hiding behind a teacher run school club that meets at lunch, the district supports this corrupt behavior. They hide behind the GSA label as if that makes it ok to teach children mature sexual subjects without parent’s permission. Absolutely the creepiest thing I have ever experienced in a school setting. Please don’t get a false sense of security that you are being notified regarding sex education that is required by the state, this is a different class. This school will HIDE inappropriate discussions they have with your kids, (the school has other lunchtime things in the works) you are being forewarned PLEASE take it seriously for the sake of your child

Posted: February 8, 2018

This is a wonderful school, an as a student currently attending this middle school. The leadership programs provide fun games during lunch period and help the with school recycling. After reading through some older reviews, which may very well be out dated, I agree with most points I saw. For example, some partially ineffective teaching and troublemakers. But, one review I saw, about a club discussing mature topics, is actually a program called the gay-strait alliance (more information provided by the school website). It encourages an open minded school. Over all, AVMS is a wonderful school, with fun clubs and programs. And here's a tip for new students, try to make friends with fellow classmates and be part of the right crowd. Chose the wrong one and you may gain unwanted attention and drama. Cheers!

Posted: February 8, 2018

Posted: August 27, 2017

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Posted: August 27, 2017

Posted: August 27, 2017

Posted: August 27, 2017

AVMS has a club initiated by and run by faculty members during school hours. Last year it met every first Wednesday of the month at lunch time. It goes by many names.
YOUR CHILD DOES NOT NEED YOUR WRITTEN PERMISSION TO ATTEND
They discuss sexual themes and other mature topics like suicide.
The material may be a bit mature for some children. I urge you to get as much information as possible in order to make an informed decision on whether or not you would approve of your child attending this club at lunchtime without your permission. Saying nothing would be like giving consent.
You can also contact your school district for additional information although they do not recognize clubs at the middle school level

Posted: October 25, 2015

Posted: September 24, 2015

My child has been in a few learning environments. The fifth grade teacher team at our local elementary school taught my child more in one year than my child will ever learn at middle school. Ineffective teachers.

Posted: September 24, 2015

Posted: September 24, 2015

Investigating students on he said she said basis just doesn't cut it! It sends a wrong message to honor the feelings of one student and not both. And, there is no emotional safety involved.

Posted: September 24, 2015

I have to say this school is off to an incredibly rough start. My child is unhappy. I am witnessing basic text book learning - read, answer questions, watch a video, blah blah blah very little interactive engagement, teach to the test not the person on an academic level. On a social, emotional, behavioral level I am appalled. My child has come home with stuff I never wanted my child exposed to. There is bullying, sex talk, drug talk, inappropriate use of cell phones and screens, physical fighting and more. I don't know what it is going to take to change this place and I doubt we will stick around to find out.

Posted: January 15, 2015

I am a student at avms in 7th grade. im so happy with all my teachers but my favorites are the art and 3d art teacher, mrs.zuer and the social studies teacher, mrs.aston. I love going to this school, all my friends go there and there is nothing to complain about. Although I live right near niguel hills, I'm very happy I go to avms. Please come to this school! Falcons rule!!!

Posted: March 5, 2014

This is really a great school, I love that they send you everyday your child homework and grades. Love it . I just wished they had some after school programs.

Posted: March 4, 2014

My two children attended Aliso Viejo Middle School (AVMS) and had a wonderful learning experience while attending AVMS. The administration and staff are motivated and care about all the students at AVMS. There is wonderful support from the parents and they have an active PTSA program. The students at AVMS are motiviated to reach their goals.

Posted: March 4, 2014

I attend this school. My Social Studies teacher, Mrs. Heavlin-Martinez, or "Mrs. H" as her students cordially call her, is deserving of the title "Top Teacher of Orange County". I say this as her student of two years,(7th and 8th grade) which have been the most entertaining and educational of my time here at AVMS. Mrs. H breathes life and learning into her class by bringing an energetic attitude and warmth into the classroom each day. She shares her kindness every day with the classroom, for she truly cares about the education of her students and their potential. She highlights the potential she sees in each student with her special teaching skills, group conversations, projects, and the opportunity to earn extra credit by reading. I am a better student by having Mrs. H as my teacher.

Posted: November 25, 2012

I was always told that DJams was the school of choice for middle school but am so glad we went with AVMS .my daughter is currently a straight A student she has had great teachers for both her 6th and 7th grade school their science club is top notch and really inspires young girls to challenge themselves to go into science as a career . The Prinipal does an outstanding job communicating to the students and parents. I love this school