Vista La Mesa Academy

Posted: May 13, 2026

Definitely the worst academic experience I’ve had with my child. The school has a serious bullying problem, and the staff seems completely unaware or unwilling to do anything about it. They are unprepared, ineffective, and extremely disappointing when it comes to handling these situations.

The principal and the new vice principal have done nothing to improve the environment. The students are constantly rude, bullying happens regularly, and the overall atmosphere feels very negative.

I would not recommend this school to other families.

Posted: May 13, 2026

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Posted: March 23, 2026

This school is the worst. Kids get bullied and the school does nothing about it, the food is disgusting, the bathrooms almost get never cleaned, kids are disrespectful, some of the teachers don't know how to teach correctly, and the camus in some of the areas is trashed. PE feels like the military, one kid fell on the dirt and the PE teacher still forced him to run a mile with the injury that was bleeding. Please don't take your kid to this school it's the worst.

Posted: March 23, 2026

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Posted: March 6, 2025

My son was bullied so bad and the new principal and VP did nothing about it. I went to the sheriffs department, had the sheriff visit, and still there was no consequences for the kid that was bullying him. Our family was the third family to leave because of this certain student.

Posted: March 6, 2025

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Posted: November 4, 2024

Kids are so disrespectful in this school,teachers can’t control students and there’s way to much bullying

Posted: November 4, 2024

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Posted: September 12, 2018

Horrible . I do not recommend it at all.

Posted: September 12, 2018

Posted: September 12, 2018

My son was bullied for a whole school year by an aggressive violent student , stabbed by a pencil , cut by scissors, shoes theown at his face . The school principal and the teacher both did nothing . And the horrible child still goes to this school .his Parents failed to admit theyre kid was violent. Left this school so fast . Principal is pathetic.

Posted: September 12, 2018

This school lets bullies bully. With zero discipline.

Posted: September 12, 2018

Principal cant even handle bullying . Makes promises. But that is all.

Posted: September 12, 2018

My son was not comfortable at this school.

Posted: September 12, 2018

They ignore it . Literally look the other way when its happening in their face.

Posted: June 1, 2016

Posted: June 1, 2016

Posted: June 1, 2016

Posted: June 1, 2016

My children have attended Vlma for five years. We as a family love this school. My son experienced some bulling in 5th grade but had utmost support from the staff all around. I am involved in pta and all aspects of the goings on in this school, as it may not be perfect I dont want my kids to attend anywhere else. I have a 5 yr old who will be attending VLMA for 8 years!! When ever a problem arises rest assured it will be solved. And yes we have gone thru a few principles it is not the school, 1 retired and the other moved up in her career. Lots of things are changing as the years progress but they soar in loving the children and wanting the best for them!!

Posted: May 6, 2015

If you aren't happy with your school, you can always bring a charter school in to take over. It would take some work, but there are some great charter schools looking for a place to locate.

Posted: June 8, 2014

Teaching staff is nice, but aren't teaching to the realistic expectations of preparing the students for high school, as they don't hold the students accountable for not turning in their homework in on time. They allow too many chances to make up missed or late work which they give full credit for & allow for students to retake failed tests. I guess it's understandable to want to improve their students confidence in their academic performance by doing these types of things, but it doesn't teach the students any responsibility and gives a false sense of productivity.

Posted: June 6, 2014

I have 3 children at this school and I must say that I am happy to be moving out of the district. The staff is ok but the teachers that my 2 girls had are not ones that I want to be teaxhing my children. I don't feel like they learned much. When my child got bullied by a boy I heard nothing from the teacher. My other daughter had incidents with a few kids as well and I can't help but wonder where are the teachers when things are happening. They use the dojo system that they DO NOT comment on and when I call all is said is that my child is great? My husband hates the dojo!! My sons teacher was awesome on the other hand. She communicated very well. My son learned in her class. I am just really greatful that my kids will not be attending this school next year.

Posted: May 6, 2014

I ama student and I am in the student council currently we got a new leader/supervisor for it and we have had less meetings and spirit days

Posted: January 27, 2014

My son has been attending this school for the last 3 years and is now in 6th grade. It's the middle of the school year and I am now looking into moving him from this school. We have had 3 different principles over the last 3 years, As I read the older reviews I've noticed that this school has had an issue with keeping a principle. We have had lots of issues with my student being picked on and bullied with very little assistance from the school in following up on our complaints. I've also had issues with the teachers communicating with us when there has been issues with my student in class. It shouldn't take me emailing them to get an idea of what's going on. This school fails all around and I am happy to be moving my student.

Posted: September 3, 2013

VLMA is an excellent school. I have 3 children going to the school kinder, second and fourth grade. All the teachers that my children have had have been wonderful. The school does a great job keeping the upper grades away from the elementary kids. They have minimal contact through out the day. I have yet to experience a problem with the office staff. They have recently added new gates and started a new system when entering the school making the campus safer for the children and staff. I would recomend this school to any parents.

Posted: August 3, 2013

Vista La Mesa is the worst school you could send your child to. The office staff is horrible, very rude, most of the teacher's could care less of the children there. They worry more about upholding an image of this perfect school which they are not. I would not recommend this school to anyone.

Posted: November 13, 2011

Initially, we were concerned about this school upon registering our daughter, for first grade. She was fortunate to have Mrs. Wood as her room teacher and words cannot even express the gratitude and appreciation we have for her dedication, commitment and patience she personifies with each student. She is a remarkable teacher who takes pride in supporting each student in allowing and encouraging them to develop their skills with comfort and ease. We strongly recommend VLMA as one of the "BEST" schools in San Diego, with a staff who remains vigilant and true to their dedication of service to our children, our future! Mrs. Wood, we as parents sincerely thank you for your day to day support and assistance with the developmental learning process for our child and all the children fortunate to be in your class.

Posted: October 31, 2011

I am a parent of a 1st grader attending Mrs. Hayden's class. I was EXTREMELY SKEPTICAL of this school at first when I enrolled my son. In fact, I was thinking of going to the district to have my son enrolled somewhere else because I didn't think this school was going to be so great. BUT I'm very glad I didn't. Since enrolled, my son, who has been enrolled in SPEECH THERAPY since preschool, is now reading .... and this is NOT A JOKE.... 38 BOOKS A DAY!!!! And all because of the reward system Mrs. Hayden has in her 1st grade class. My son made it HIS GOAL TO FINISH HIS ENTIRE READING LOG (WITH 38 SLOTS) IN A SINGLE DAY!!! All because he wanted to be rewarded with 2 new books for finishing 2 sides of his reading log. Also I received his DISTRICT TEST SCORE TODAY AND HE SCORED ADVANCED!!!! He had a 94% rating in Mathematics! This school is making a SERIOUS EFFORT TO TURN THINGS AROUND and work together to give our kids a great education. I couldn't be happier! I see a lot of parents coming to this school and getting really involved. Mrs. Hayden is top notch! She gives me calls and talks to me daily about his progress and really helps me understand any areas my son needs help in.

Posted: April 28, 2011

Hey you the one talking bad about the 6-8th graders. I am a 7th grader at that school. i understand that some kids are immature. But remember you can't protect your child forever from hearing sailor words. life as we know it is filled with people who talk bad, i hear curse words ALL the time on streets and in stores. Not ALL the older kids are rude. Remember YOUR CHILD WILL BE A TEEN SOON! Around the age 11 to 16 your child [not so little no more] will be one of those "SO CALLED BAD KIDS" Personally I HATE CURSE WORDS! Also we 6-8th graders LOVE the litter kids. they are soo cute and funny. Our 6-8thy grade teachers are HIGHLY educatded, and even the science teacher have published a book before. and went to the BEST collages! Also a other personal thing is that i dont like the new 6-8th grade classes. they treat us like we are the bad guys and they treat us like childern. Also the money is going to build a new libary in lemon grove middle school. and other money goes to less fortunate childern. Now have a nice lovely day =)

Posted: February 23, 2011

This school has gone down hill alot in the past 3 years that we have attended. They brought in the 6-8th grade students for 2 years while the middle school is being remodeled. This forces the younger kids to have contact with the not so nice older kids. I hear the "F" word everyday while walking my 2nd grader into the school. I wish this school was more focused on the students instead of updating the building and the security gates! I understand that California is under a huge budget problem but this school receives federal money for each military student that attends, where is that money going????