San Onofre Elementary School

Posted: May 7, 2025

If I could rate this school a zero, I would—but since the lowest option is a 1, that’s what I’m giving. This school is located on a military installation and primarily hires local military spouses as teachers and administrative staff. While community involvement can be a positive, in this case it creates complications, as many of the staff are our neighbors and active on local housing pages, making it difficult to give honest feedback without it becoming personal.

Many parents, including myself, have had unpleasant experiences with the front desk administrator, who unfortunately sets the tone for the school. My strong recommendation is to hire non-military staff to ensure more professionalism and impartiality. It’s also crucial that front desk personnel possess basic customer service skills, as they are the first point of contact and represent the school as a whole.

It’s telling that even the front desk administrator chose not to enroll her own child at this school, opting instead for an off-base option. We’ve decided to do the same—despite the inconvenience of an interdistrict transfer and a longer commute—because the experience at San Onofre Elementary simply isn’t worth it.

Posted: May 7, 2025

Posted: May 7, 2025

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Posted: May 7, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2018

Posted: August 14, 2018

Posted: August 14, 2018

Teachers care and are amazing with the students.

Posted: August 14, 2018

Posted: August 14, 2018

Posted: August 14, 2018

Posted: August 14, 2018

Excellent experience at this school, staff and students are invested in the school.

Posted: August 13, 2018

The teachers here have been amazing! They have each worked so hard to get my son where he is today.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

I couldn't have asked for a greater school to send my children too. The entire staff shows such great concern for each imdividual child. I will miss it so much!

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: April 17, 2018

Excellent front office support and and teachers love their students

Posted: April 17, 2018

Posted: April 17, 2018

Posted: April 17, 2018

Posted: April 17, 2018

Posted: April 17, 2018

Posted: April 17, 2018

Posted: March 3, 2018

Poorly organized. Instruction is very militant, seems overly structured. Students who don’t learn the one way teachers want to teach are isolated, and admittedly by staff, underserved. Teachers run amok and at times are inappropriate with students and parents. When complained about administrators say they will try to talk to the teacher and come back to ask you to stop upsetting or inconveniencing the teachers. If you want to be involved as a parent be prepared to leave your spine at the door. Your feedback, even when standing up for your student is not appreciated here.

Posted: March 3, 2018

Homework is sporadic, specific to the teacher a student has.

Posted: March 3, 2018

Strong teaching methods for students who fit a mold. Little to no alternatives are available for students who don’t.

Posted: March 3, 2018

My student was bullied by a teacher.

Posted: March 3, 2018

Administrators will say things like “this shouldn’t be happening to your child. Let me talk to the teacher.” Nothing will change. They usually come back and say that somehow you or your student is to blame.

Posted: March 3, 2018

There are no alternatives to the one teaching method in the classroom. Students are isolated, or admittedly ignored. Teachers will try to pass the buck in any way possible.

Posted: March 3, 2018

Teachers do not model compassion, and administrators don’t stand up for the students.

Posted: March 1, 2018

Posted: March 1, 2018

Posted: March 1, 2018

Posted: March 1, 2018

Posted: March 1, 2018

Posted: March 1, 2018

Posted: March 1, 2018

We had the worst experience at this school. Our children were bullied, administrators did nothing!

Posted: January 23, 2018

Posted: January 23, 2018

Posted: January 23, 2018

Posted: January 23, 2018

Posted: January 23, 2018

Posted: January 23, 2018

Posted: January 23, 2018

Excellent staff and PTA is amazing as well!! Leader in Me program is solid and test scores are in top 5% of state.

Posted: November 5, 2017

I think the leader in me program is well done

Posted: November 5, 2017

The environment is toxic. Teachers constantly degrade one another to the parents. That is inappropriate imo but also reflects poor leadership. Instead of working together the teachers seem to be in competition with each other

Posted: November 5, 2017

I volunteer a lot and the solution I have seen most often for students who struggle are pull them out of group work isolate them in corners of the classroom and make them do the work independently thus making it even harder for them to learn

Posted: November 5, 2017

Posted: November 5, 2017

If I had to rate this school out of 10, I’d rate it a 1. I have no idea how it is rated a nine. Students really seem to struggle here, it’s a sad, discouraging environment, and there are no extracurricular activities for younger ages and there’s no art for any level, music only for upper levels and pe is offered sporadically.

Posted: November 5, 2017

Homework is sporadic and not uniform across grade levels so one first grader may have no homework, another may have 20 minutes, and another has forty-five minutes of homework

Posted: November 5, 2017

It’s unfair to make blanket statements but we have had 5 teachers here and only one was an effective teacher

Posted: October 10, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

My daughter has attending kindergarten and the first few months of first grade at Sonora, and she's done so well here. We've been so fortunate with the teachers and staff. And she's been getting along so well with her classmates, it breaks my heart to have to move her to a different school since we're moving. We even like the after school ROCKS program with the city of Costa Mesa, which is well priced.

The curriculum is can be a little overwhelming for my daughter, but school and teachers have provided us with multiple resources. They offer healthy meals at the cafeteria. They have fun field trips. And the PTA has so much to offer.

My only issue was security and how the school seemed so "exposed", as well as the one of the ladies at the front office. For working at an elementary school, she never seemed that friendly. Otherwise, we're really going to miss this school!

Posted: March 26, 2015

To be fair the teachers and staff are very nice and work hard to help your child. I think the curriculum is challenging and decent. The students, however, are terrible. My kids were bullied, cussed at, punched in the face, named called on a daily basis. These kids run amuck and vandalize and have NO supervision. I don't think it's the fault of the school but mainly parents who either don't care or don't hold high values for their children. This is NOT a wholesome, safe environment. We have pulled our children out and are happy to change to a nearby school district.

Posted: January 28, 2014

Was really disappointed at how much they do not have at this school. They do not offer any electives for exploring and preparation for high school or beyond. Not much help for all the homework that is assigned. The homework is too much. I see that my children are unhappy. Overall, I'm dissatisfied with this school.

Posted: August 11, 2013

Our grandson attends this school. We have been extremely impressed with the school, staff, and administrators. The office staff is friendly, warm and we always feel welcomed everytime we visit. The principal is dedicated and it is evident her concern is for the well being and success of each and every student. She has an open door policy and we have watched her greet every student and parent with a friendly smile and genuine welcome. We have observed her address individual students by their name and it is obvious that they love and respect her. The front office staff have gone out of their way to make us welcomed everytime we visit. The entire staff stands out to us as highly professional and you can tell they are being led well by the administration. The teachers pour their heart and soul into their students and encourage them to "reach for the stars" and be life long learners. We always look forward to visiting and volunteering at this outstanding school. There are not enough +s to add to this A+ school. The growth in academics and social skills in our grandson since he has been at this school has been proven that this school is one of the best. Thank you San O School.

Posted: August 10, 2013

My daughter attended this school from 4th to 8th grade. It was an unbelievably amazing school. Every teacher she had worked hard to help her achieve her best. The assistant principal and principal always helped with any problem that my daughter had to deal with. My daughter enjoyed every moment at San Onofre School!

Posted: December 4, 2012

I have had several issues with the principle and assistant principle regarding my son. He is in special education, they have called me so often that I requested unless it is an emergency just email me and my sons counsilor. The other day my son was stabbed in the face at lunch, I got an email only, police were not called... the child suspended for one day, my son out for his protection for her first day back and principle is threatening me with unexcused absence. MPs refuse to take my sons statement and said they can't do anything about it. This school under this new Principle and Assistant principle will never be the same again.

Posted: November 28, 2012

To the previous parent and any other parent reading these comments. San Onofre School offers a wide range of services for students struggling to learn. Programs include, Math Together, Language Lab, Gateways, Double Dose reading intervention, UAT, and much more. We also have GATE programs to enrich learning of students who needs extra challenge. Our school also offers an abundance of after school enrichment opportunties like band and clubs. In addition, our teachers collaborate frequently to ensure that each child's needs are considered and closely monitored to achieve upmost success to meet grade level standards. It is no surprise our API is 885, well over the required 800, and significant jump from 862 last year. Our goal is to ensure that our students are ready to successfully compete in the High School and be 100% ready for 4 year university. We encourage any parent with concerns about their child's education to meet with your teacher and discuss ways to support your child's learning. We have a dynamic team of administrators, teachers, staff, and PTA working diligently to promote academic excellence. Please feel free to come talk to any of us for more information.

Posted: October 10, 2012

My daughter went to this school for 8th grade And I'm so glade she didn't have to return to this School..The teachers are there grading there self Not the kids. And they don't take the time to help The kids if they need help.. I don't like this school

Posted: October 9, 2012

I went to this school from 5th to end of 7th grade and honestly it the best school i have ever been to. The staff is amazing and some pf the teachers may seem harsh but that is only because they KNOW you aren't trying your best and can do better. The environment is nutiring and made for success. I have personally worked with both Vice Principal and Principal, and i have realized that they only wanted and still want the best for us. San Onofre School is made for strong people, its made for those who can survive it. If u don't accept that you will get no where. They push you at this school so when u move on to high school you won't have that hard of a time.

Posted: August 27, 2012

Ok , 1st off the principal needs to learn tact badly. i had a issue with my son and so i called her and this women gets mad and hangs up on me . for one i never yelled at her at all just hand concerns about his teacher and how she was handling him . this school is one of the worst schools i have ever experienced and if u look at the teachers they all look like they are miserable and to lady who said she works there for one my mother in law is a teacher in texes and she has gotten a few students from this school and she said that school is horrible to.

Posted: April 26, 2012

I happen to work at this school and LOVE IT!!!!! Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however we must all take responsibility for writing "factual facts". Our Principal is a very caring and nuturing leader and cares not only for our students and staff but also for the community. She goes above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis. I hope that you can all read between the lines from the disgruntled comments and know there is always two sides to a story. We are proud and honored to work with our military families daily. We do our best to meet the needs of all, however we will never satisfy everyone. I look forward to meeting and greeting our new families that move here and welcome you to tour our campus and meet our fantastic staff that does include some of our military moms. How cool is it for them to be able to work at their childs school? We think its awesome! I would think the smiles you see and the laughter you hear from our students and staff would convince you too what a great school we have here!

Posted: April 21, 2012

This is the worst school my children have ever been to. We moved on base from town due to me thinking that Oceanside schools were bad. This school is currently being ran by a principal that has no idea what she is doing. My daughter's life was threatened here by a known girl with several mental problems and they never removed her from the general population. They have no sensitivity for the military child or family. I was better off in Oceanside and regret moving on base. This school has more neighborhod moms running it then actual staff....half of them are a nightmare to deal with. I have one child in 3rd and the other in 8th and certainly discovered the grass is NOT greener on the other side.

Posted: August 4, 2011

We love SOS, This ia great School my children enjoyed going there this past school year. We had exelent teachers and the kids love them. Lots of activities trough the year, festivals, social days, musicals, theatre etc. We were supposed to move this summer but we decide to stay in the area just because our kids were sad to leave this school!!

Posted: August 3, 2011

I love San Onofre School! It breaks my heart to be leaving San O! I have proudly called San Onofre School home for three years and my children have thrived here. The principal is energetic and alwyas there for kids and parents alike. The quality of education is exceptional. I have a special needs child who was treated superbly at San Onofre. You'll love this school, we are sorry to be moving.

Posted: June 18, 2011

It is unfornate that I must say that I do not wish anyones kid to this school. The staff is consisted of either tenor teachers who do not care of the life or stress of a military child nor great educators or new teacher who have yet to find their rhythm. There are few exceptional teachers in the grades but you very lucky if your child is able to get them that year. If you have a special needs child do not put your child in this school! They do not by any means have the staff to assist your child/ or means. The aides in the classrooms are moms from the neighborhood who only hold mim. associate degree/competency testing. And it does not have to be in special education. They supposed trained by special education teacher and school psychologist on childsBIP and IEP. There is a EFMP attorney that can help you on mainside should you find out for yourself. The adminstration at this school is condescending but will smile every time they see you. Don't expect great leadership there. Positive note the PTA is great raising money for field trips and school functions.

Reviewed: February 18, 2013

This is a K-8 School and has received many accolades and awards from the local community. It is located on base (in San Onofre 1 housing) and is primarily comprised of military kids. It's also a good place for spouses to work part time as substitute teachers.

Reviewed: February 13, 2013

The teachers and staff are awesome with the children. They have many programs for the children to help them deal with military life.
They have outstanding testing schools.