Ivey Ranch Elementary School in Oceanside

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	8/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education.
Student Growth	5/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from California Department of Education.

Posted: May 17, 2026

When our daughter started here several years ago, we felt like this was such a wonderful school and community. We felt so welcomed by the principal and great teachers. Unfortunately, a few years ago, the wonderful principal left and things have gone downhill quickly. The new principal Mrs. Harrington frequently overreacts when good kids make mistakes and seemly ignores major behavior issues. Her ineffectiveness leads to unsafe situations for students and a setting that makes focusing on learning very difficult. These factors are taking away from the education of many students. It is a shame that her lack of leadership skills have hurt this school so much. It is not an uncommon to talk to another parent and find they have similar feelings.

Our daughter has had wonderful teachers. I fear the teachers are not being supported and it is bringing down the entire school. It has been a significant change. We have such a short time left at Ivey Ranch or we would looking to move our daughter to another school.

Posted: April 19, 2026

I have two children, and one is still at this school. Ive tried to stay positive, but over time its been hard to ignore ongoing concerns.

It often feels like the bigger issues start at the district level, where teachers, students, and staff dont seem fully supported. After opening to school of choice, the campus now feels overcrowded without the space or resources to match. Many families we knew have transferred out because the school simply doesnt offer as much as others nearby.

The facilities are concerning. The multipurpose room is outdated, bathrooms seem always out of order and Ive heard staff had to push just to get air conditioning in the kitchen. Some classrooms have leaks when it rains, and there are ongoing issues with ants, mice, and rats. After rainy days, my child often comes home with significant mosquito bites, which raises questions about maintenance.

The food is mostly frozen, prepackaged, and repetitive. There isnt much variety, and it doesnt feel very healthy.

Safety is another concern. While the front office staff can be kind, it sometimes feels too easy to walk straight onto campus. Kindergarten classrooms are right along a busy street with fencing that feels too open. There are no crossing guards, and I know of two incidents where children were hit by cars nearby. Its hard not to worry when nothing seems to change.

Parents also have very limited access to campus, aside from conferences and one classroom visit, which makes it difficult to feel connected.

Some teachers are truly incredible and do their best, but class sizes are large and often close to 30 in lower grades and up to 35 in upper grades which making individual attention difficult.

The school lacks enrichment programs. Theres no consistent music, dance, or theater, and nothing for advanced learners. The strings program is limited and not consistent.

Parking and pickup are frustrating, with limited parking and poorly managed pickup lines.

The PTO is a bright spot and works incredibly hard to provide field trips and experiences for students. Unfortunately, it doesnt feel like the principal actively supports their efforts.

Communication can be inconsistent, and interactions with administration dont always lead to follow-through.

Overall, there are caring individuals at the school, but the lack of resources, support, and programs makes it a challenging environment for students to thrive.

Posted: April 19, 2026

Posted: June 6, 2025

As an educator and a grandparent I noticed the commotion when dismissing students. Where I worked, students were sitting in straight lines and using a quiet voice. Don't understand how Ivey Ranch School hasn't had an accident.
Also, it is my understanding that for the 5th grade graduation that two students were selected to speak. Well, I understand that two girls were picked. In fairness, a girl and a boy should have been picked. This is not fair to all of the boys. Educators must remember student's feelings. Fairness counts in especially when it comes to a child's feelings. Shame!

Posted: June 6, 2025

Posted: October 9, 2024

I have two children and one is still currently attending. OUSD itself is a joke. This school started allowing school of choice and now they dont have enough room for the kids they have. Last year my daughters class turned into a combo class and the poor teacher had to teach 4th and 5th graders in the same classroom. My daughter sometimes has to sit on the ground or just on a bench at lunch time because they dont have enough space. Some of the rooms and ceilings leak when it rains. They have issues with ants, mice, and rats. The food served is frozen prepackaged preservative filled garbage. The school does not allow parents to be on campus so you never get to see their environment except for 2x/year, fall parent teacher conferences and end of year classroom tours. Some of the teachers have been there awhile and they are literal angels. They have no crossing guards at the sidewalks. There is no art or real music teacher. The school goes through a strings teacher every couple of years and that is only for 4/5th graders. And that teacher isnt even dedicated to this one school the poor thing has to drive around to multiple campuses. The PTO is fabulous and works hard to make sure the kids can have field trips and 5th grade camp, which is the ONLY highlight for the kids. They were talking about taking the camp away and it has been complete upset all around by students and parents. The sick policy is joke. I am a registered nurse and their policy is that if a kid throws up at school they cant return the next day. Kids get upset stomachs, doesnt mean they are ill and have to miss even more days. The health office is not even a nurse because the district also runs their school nurses around doing the job of 3 people. The education is unfortunately surrounded by 3rd party computer programs, iReady, and state testing. Its sad what qualifies as public education. The worst part is that this school is rated highest for the city. I praise the teachers because they make it as a happy as possible for the kids. 4th grade classroom with 33 kids, 5th grade classroom with 35 kids. How much attention and help do you think your child gets in a setting like that?

Posted: April 17, 2024

this school is za warst. thee educators are bollocks!!!!

Posted: April 17, 2024

Posted: March 22, 2024

I went to this school for 4 years and it was a blast. I was included in the years I went to this wonderful school and had fun while getting a good education daily. This place is the reason I'm a successful student. Teachers, students, and staff are all wonderful. Thanks, Ivey Ranch! Class of 2022.

Posted: March 22, 2024

Posted: February 15, 2024

The staff was so disrespectful. My mother had to report many of them for yelling at kids for just being kids. a lot of the teachers have been so nice and respectful but a lot of them were very very mean. especially the PE teacher. she makes kids run *5 LAPS?* This seriously needs to be addressed because a kid may pick up that overworking yourself is okay? I have a learning disability and sone of the teachers did not give the support i needed. yeah, no. I am a past student, and i do not recommend it.

Posted: February 15, 2024

Posted: January 10, 2024

Ive been at this school for 6/7 years. Its so sad its going down the wrong path and this year has been the absolute worst, in which they have also got rid of a ton of good staff. They have become unprofessional and discriminatory. Made several complaints (along with other parents) and dont know how this secretary still has a job. What a shame.

Posted: January 10, 2024

Posted: December 5, 2022

Teacher and staff are super friendly and ready to help the kids and the principal is the most hard working principal I have seen she goes above and beyond to help the kids with their needs.

Posted: December 5, 2022

Posted: December 4, 2022

My son is on the autism spectrum and he is in Kindergarten this year. His classroom teacher is caring, kind, and excellent at communication. His caseworker and support teachers go above and beyond to help him integrate into the regular classroom setting. The duty supervisors also know him by name and support him with regulating his emotions. My son loves going to school. He comes home and is able to articulate to me exactly what he learned that day. He has made an enormous amount of progress in 4 short months. The office staff is also extremely friendly and helpful. The principal and vice principal are beyond amazing and are always out and interacting with students. The teaching staff is experienced and energetic and cares deeply about the well-being of the students. My family is extremely happy with our neighborhood school. Go Coyotes!

Posted: December 4, 2022

Posted: December 2, 2022

Great School! Very involved and welcoming community

Posted: December 2, 2022

Ivey Ranch works with families to help students be their best and feel good about all they achieve. i love being part of this community!

Posted: December 2, 2022

Posted: August 16, 2022

I enjoy being a teacher here and I hope to never go elsewhere! I always feel supported and our principal, Mrs. Doose, has always been incredible to staff and students. I really love Ivey Ranch and consider it home.

Posted: August 16, 2022

Posted: August 12, 2022

Ivey Ranch is an outstanding school committed to providing an outstanding educational experience in an environment that is safe and supportive.

Posted: August 12, 2022

Posted: April 18, 2022

This school is a terrible, horrendous school. The P.E teacher is terrible, she made someone run with asthma and they couldn't breathe and just brushed it off. This is so wrong.

Posted: April 17, 2022

Some teachers are pretty nice and caring, But some are really brutal. The kids there arent the best, a fist fight happened in my daughters 5th grade class. We also recently moved from across the U.S and my daughter did 5th grade math last year *above grade the learning system was supposed to be common core when she learners completely different things, and they also didnt have above grade reading or math this year (2021-2022). Wouldnt recommend, its not as good as some people say it is.

Posted: April 17, 2022

Posted: January 10, 2022

This school does not even come close to deserving an 8/10. Staff is sub par, bullying is horrendous, overall disappointment.

Posted: January 10, 2022

Posted: July 28, 2021

My kids came to different schools almost every year but we finally settled right in front of Ivey ranch school. Best school weve ever had and best decision weve ever made for our kids! My kids love to go to school everyday for the 1st time. Best teachers, very accommodating staff and respectful students..

Posted: May 22, 2018

All depends on the teacher...after 4 years here...most are there for a paycheck verses the passion to help and teach children.

Posted: May 22, 2018

Principal Swank has poor leadership skills with his staff! He may be a gentle creature to the children but to lead the school's staff is poorly demonstrated. He lacks taking charge and holding staff accountable. I had meetings with him and with two different teachers. He couldn't control the meeting's tension, debate going on. He was like a politician...he couldn't answer questions and deviated away from the questions. Same for the teachers I encountered. Communication is very weak at this school! Principal and teachers!

Posted: May 22, 2018

The special ed staff are inadequate and under qualified at Ivey Ranch. The District Director, Mr. Woods, is even far less qualified. It is always an exhausting challenge to correspond or get direct answers....they do not know what they are doing to help 'grow' and make 'meaningful progress' with special ed children. They waver on direction, game plans on how to help a child. Be prepared to battle with the special ed department!

Posted: May 22, 2018

Unsatisfactory! If your child excels naturally, s/he will be praised and recognized. If child struggles, needs some additional help/tutoring or possibly special ed services, s/he will be left behind by the school.

Posted: April 20, 2018

We really like Ivey Ranch.

Our son's teacher is very good, keeping us informed his progress. The Principal is very nice and always says "hello" and the office staff are very friendly. The only draw back is the pick up and drop off can be a little hectic.

Overall, we (and our son) are very happy with the school.

Posted: April 20, 2018

Posted: April 4, 2018

This is a great school. My son loves all the programs it offers. Teachers are all very knowledgeable and very caring. The office staff is super nice, and the school principal is very professional and approachable. My son enjoys going to school every day at Ivey Ranch. Amazing School.

Posted: April 4, 2018

My son is challenged every week with great homework assignments.

Posted: April 4, 2018

Great teachers! very caring for all the children.

Posted: April 4, 2018

These school focuses on children being kind to each other, recycling, and just an overall sense of respect.

Posted: April 4, 2018

The school principal is very nice and approachable. He really makes time to answer every parent's questions.

Posted: April 4, 2018

My child has had an amazing time at Ivey Ranch, he's made lot of friends!

Posted: November 4, 2017

HAHA! Okay, let's quickly recall some of the horribly boring Wednesday Spirit Day assembly's where they are supposed to discuss "appropriate behavior" as a school wide assembly. The administrator would "talk at the kids" about "HOW" to act to one another and then do some activity like "fill your neighbor's bucket" (used in many schools all over the US - very successfully). However, the mention of this "bucket" never happens again and there are no examples of "appropriate" behavior during the speech from the admin. Really? Since when does talking "AT" kids work? They have these character charts throughout the school, but we never saw any of them used or highlighted. We never saw any teacher or administrators draw attention to the positive students who DO follow these appropriate characteristics. Kids are kids. Kids will forever push boundaries. However, without the school intervening to help instill appropriate character development, students will learn that poor choices and behaviors are accepted-at least at school. Hence why we have HUGE bullying and self esteem issues with kids in school now-a-days.

Posted: November 4, 2017

All we see are aides on playgrounds walking around with the SPED and SDC kids as they run and scream. Supporting them isn't quite the word we would use. "Pacifying" the situation fits better. If you can't control them, find someone who can so they don't disturb the kids who are actually trying to learn.

Posted: November 4, 2017

We find this school to be awful. From what we hear when chatting with other parents (many are pulling their kids out) this place have seriously deteriorated over the last several years. The academics are FAR BELOW the other state schools scoring 8,9, 10 in Great Schools. The school has dropped 1 point since the 2016 State Scores were reported, which is alarming. The classes we have seen do not engage students appropriately, they do not challenge kids to think (simply rote memorization and even that isn't higher level facts), kids are bored (unless you have a kid who likes to slide by-then this is definitely your school), the school's filth and ugliness only add to the lack of enthusiasm displayed on campus. This place, simply put, is a BORING SCHOOL with absolutely no learning excitement taking place.

Posted: November 4, 2017

What homework? This school is a joke for appropriate, grade level homework. If you need challenge work you WILL NOT receive that type of work. In fact, teachers here DO NOT allow the grades below them to do ANY work in the higher grade levels even if the child has exceeded their current grade level. This place is a 1 size fits ALL elementary.

Posted: November 4, 2017

From what we have seen, this school is filled with teachers who are either (1) lazy, (2) inadequately prepared for the grade they teach (maybe teaching in general?), (3) over teaching as a whole, or (4) don't care about the success of the students. They simply don't seem to truly care about the career THEY CHOSE to enter. If that's the case, find a new career and let someone who cares take your spot.