Empresa Elementary School

Posted: August 20, 2026

Unfortunately, Empresa no longer lives up to its previous reputation for exceptional teachers, programming, and leadership.

In my experience, the current principal, Mrs. Hollowell, represents what happens when institutional mediocrity learns to network: eventually, it gets credentialed, promoted, and handed an office. Over the course of three years and multiple interactions with her, I came away with the distinct impression that credentials were being mistaken for expertise, authority for leadership, and holding an administrative position for being effective in it.

It might almost be impressive if the consequences of that leadership were not being felt by actual children—including mine. After three years, we ultimately made the difficult decision to remove our child from Empresa because we believed his experiences with the administration had become detrimental to his overall health, well-being, and education.

Our experience left us feeling that this administration was far more concerned with the appearance of good leadership than the difficult work of actually providing it. As another reviewer aptly described it, the leadership often felt performative. Families deserve administrators who listen, take concerns seriously, accept accountability, and act in the best interests of the children they are entrusted to serve. That was not our experience.

I would be especially cautious if your child requires additional support through a 504 Plan or IEP. Based on our experience, this was an area in which the school failed miserably, and I would strongly encourage parents to pay close attention, document everything, and advocate relentlessly for their child.

It is deeply disappointing to watch a school that once had such a strong reputation decline under ineffective leadership. The superintendent and district need to take a serious, unvarnished look at what is happening at Empresa, because families—and more importantly, children—are the ones living with the consequences.

Posted: August 20, 2026

Posted: August 20, 2026

Posted: August 20, 2026

Posted: August 20, 2026

Posted: August 20, 2026

Posted: August 20, 2026

Posted: August 20, 2026

Posted: June 25, 2026

Our experience at this school has been incredibly disappointing. My child was in the first grade here, and the classroom environment was completely lacking. The teacher was unengaged, relied on outdated curriculum, and showed very little genuine care for the students' well-being. As a result, my child was constantly bored in class and, worse, subjected to bullying out on the playground.

During one severe incident, my child was pushed down a playground slide and sustained multiple scratches and bruises. Shockingly, the school failed to notify us when it happened. Instead, we received a casual call at the very end of the day saying, "Oh, by the way, there was an incident earlier."

Because the bullying went unaddressed, we ultimately told our child to stand up and defend themselves. When they finally did, the administration suddenly found the ability to call us immediately to complain that our child hit someone. The double standard and lack of proactive communication are unacceptable.

Principal Kim Hollowell is completely performative. While she puts on a friendly facade for parents, our child frequently witnessed her yelling at other students when she thought no one was watching. We approached her multiple times regarding the bullying, even presenting video evidence of other children targeting our child. She was entirely dismissive, stating they were "aware of everything." If the administration is so aware, why is nothing being done to protect the students?

We have officially pulled our child out of this school and are enrolling them in Alamosa Elementary, where the staff actually genuinely care about the safety and education of the children. Avoid this school if you value your child's well-being.

Posted: June 25, 2026

Posted: June 25, 2026

Posted: June 25, 2026

Posted: June 25, 2026

Posted: June 25, 2026

Posted: June 25, 2026

Posted: June 25, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

The school was really good up unitl they had an new principal start a few years back. The principal is not very welcoming and has been rude to parents. Additionally, the school has lost great teachers to retirement/exits and did not keep one of the greatest assets to the school, the music teacher. As a result, the school has lost its spirit and i am seriously considering transferring my child to a better school.

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: December 17, 2025

Great school, great teachers - but that principal needs to go. That is a toxic person, a bad seed if you will. Extremely rude, fake, and carries a con descending tone everywhere she goes. She cannot talk to these kids right nor the parents. Mrs D. is wonderful and deserves that top spot more than that troll they have now.

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: February 8, 2024

My child currently goes to that school right now. The school is amazing. The teachers are amazing and get an A+ across the board. The only one complaint I have, and I've heard this from many parents. The principal, Mrs Hollowell. She is the most fake administrator I have ever come across. She talks down to the para's that are in the classrooms helping. Shows no respect to them. The way she administers makes me think she got educated in the stone age period. She talks down to the kids, making them feel guilty of every little offense. They are kids, especially those that are in 2nd grade and below. Remember, they are learning, they will make mistakes on the way.

Posted: February 8, 2024

Posted: February 8, 2024

Posted: February 8, 2024

Posted: February 8, 2024

Posted: February 8, 2024

Posted: February 8, 2024

Posted: February 8, 2024

Posted: June 25, 2023

This school was horrible for my daughter. She was bullied. The principal does not bother to solve the problem. In order not to solve the problem, she blames the person who is being bullied. Some children are very aggressive. And they are not encouraged to stop. Don't let this happen to your children. Do not send your children to this school.

Posted: June 25, 2023

Posted: June 25, 2023

Posted: June 25, 2023

Posted: June 25, 2023

Posted: June 25, 2023

Posted: June 25, 2023

Posted: January 3, 2022

Posted: January 3, 2022

Posted: January 3, 2022

Posted: January 3, 2022

Posted: January 3, 2022

Empresa is a wonderful community. Everyone is well educated and well cared for! All the staff are amazing and diligent. I would totally recommend this school for your children.

Posted: January 3, 2022

Posted: January 3, 2022

Posted: January 3, 2022

Posted: May 17, 2020

As a former parent of a student at Empresa with learning differences, I can confidently say that Empresa failed to meet my child’s needs. So much so, that we get a monthly district check to send our child elsewhere. Despite the relatively high scores for this school, in my experience, those who have a good experience here have above average to high achieving students enrolled. Admittedly, their art and music programs are top notch. But this is a school- if your child leaves elementary school after 5 years with no academic skills, and can only sing well, and produce lovely art, I would consider that a failure. If there was a way to leave a negative star rating, I would. I can not recommend this school, not as a former parent, or former educator with other districts.

Posted: May 17, 2020

As a parent volunteer, room mom, and PTA chair, I observed many kindness campaigns and 8 Keys award ceremonies over the past 5 years. However, I personally witnessed, as have other parents, the willingness of administrators to look the other way at significant instances of bullying and cruelty among students. Although my child was not personally a bullying victim, I have been witness to bullying, and it being ineffectively handled. In one instance, a child slapped another child during the morning recess. By lunch recess, the bully had been permitted to return to the playground to play, and had slapped a second child in the face, less than two hours later. I took the student to the administration on the second offense, unaware of the first instance. It was assumed that I had mistakenly brought the child in for the same incident, when actually, after discussing the details, it was clear that the first instance was in the morning towards a different child altogether. And, also while helping on the playground with a younger grade, an upper grade girl came over to me each day I was helping at recess saying “Hi! I’m here to help!” Thinking she was part of the kindness club, I set her to helping lonely kids join others in play. I found out afterwards that the older girl was not in kindness club at all. She was a bullying victim. The solution of the administration to her being bullied was to send her-the victim- to “help” little kids during her playtime, while the student who bullied her was allowed to continue to enjoy recess with her peer group unpunished for her behavior. This failure by the school administration doesn’t support integrity, compassion or respect between students.

Posted: May 17, 2020

It is my opinion, shared by other reviewers as well, that the current school leadership at Empresa is ineffective and of low quality. Especially in the areas of personal integrity, attention to the success of all students, especially those with learning differences, and in providing parents with the needed information to properly support their student’s academic success. In my experience, I had difficulty in obtaining my child’s school records, which impeded my ability to find the best help for them academically. I also agree with another parent in the opinion that this school doesn’t have proper supports in place for struggling students. In my case, my child received a significant amount of additional help for over a year through the IEP process. However, in the words of an independent evaluation by a doctor, my child “has not made any improvement at all academically”. My child doesn’t have cognitive deficits- and is capable of achieving grade level work. The fact that that did not happen was due to ineffective interventions for struggling students. And in the area of personal integrity, in my personal experience, the school leadership is willing, and actively in the practice of “looking over” protections in place for students who are not performing well. Especially when it comes to parents rights to their child’s records, and accuracy in representing the level in which their children are struggling. In the case of my child, we had to get independent testing to find out how much our child was struggling, while we had been told again and again that “significant progress towards goals” was being made. And that turned out to be untrue in our case. Or, as stated plainly about the scores our child supposedly achieved at school by a doctor “We were unable to reproduce those results.”

Posted: May 17, 2020

I stated in my review in the section on student character development, that I witnessed many instances of bullying being ineffectively handled. From students who have hurt others during a morning recess being allowed to return to hurt additional children during the afternoon recess, to ineffective support of bullying victims that actually punished victims and rewarded their bullies, it is my opinion that Empresa does not have an effective policy for handling bullying on campus. Other parents have shared here and elsewhere about their children’s experiences at this school with bullying, and the ineffective ways that it was handled by the school administrators. I have attempted to only provide specific details of a few, not all- of what I personally witnessed. I consider what I saw to be a failure of the school to provide a safe learning environment for all students.

Posted: May 17, 2020

Despite a district mandate that forbids homework, as it is not found by research to effectively raise test scores, Empresa routinely assigns it, and obfuscates that fact by calling homework “enrichment “, as if a rose by any other name...This is only one instance of the failure of this school to follow any law or rule it finds inconvenient.

Posted: May 17, 2020

Although as with any school, there are teachers who care about students over test scores, that is overwhelmingly not the case here.

Posted: May 17, 2020

Holy moly- where to begin? Just no. As a parent of such a learner, I can say with confidence that if you have a child with learning differences, you should get your attorney on speed dial. There is pretty much not one law covering special education students this administration and staff are willing to break to keep their image up as a high achieving school. And, I can confidently and honestly say, as a former parent and current resident in this school’s boundary, who has successfully litigated the district on behalf of their child, there is no statement less true than “this school supports students with learning differences.” They do not.

Posted: July 12, 2019

Our experience has been fantastic over the past 4 years. Each teacher we have known has been extremely caring and has helped our son succeed.

Posted: July 12, 2019

Posted: July 12, 2019

Posted: July 12, 2019

Posted: July 12, 2019

Posted: July 12, 2019

Posted: July 12, 2019

Posted: July 20, 2018

The IEP and 504 programs are a joke. They don't have the staff to handle children with learning differences. One resource teacher cannot possibly manage all the learning "differences" in a school of 811!

Posted: July 20, 2018

Bullying is rampant and that is why we pulled our kids. Over ten families left Empresa last year 2017/2018 because the administration would not deal with the bullies. My son was terrorized last year both in and outside of the classroom. He was jumped in the bathroom, he was bullied on the playground. We met with the principal who has a reputation from the teachers for sweeping bullying under the rug. My kids do not feel safe at this school, and that is because the administration doesn't deal with the bullying.

Posted: July 20, 2018

They say they cannot require homework because of a district mandate, yet they still give it out.

Posted: July 20, 2018

The teachers have become glorified childcare workers. The classrooms are over populated and the only help they get is from parent volunteers. It is not a healthy learning environment.

Posted: July 20, 2018

They do not provide a safe learning environment. My son cried every day when I picked him up, that tells me that his character is being beat up, not developed.

Posted: July 20, 2018

The principal cares only for political gain. We have been at Empresa for 4 years and the first two were great. Then the principal started increasing the student population. The size almost doubled in two years. She wants to have the largest elementary school in Vista but does not equip the teachers with tools needed to manage the amount of students. Bullying is rampant and that is why we pulled our kids. Over ten families left Empresa last year because the administration would not deal with the bullies. My son was terrorized last year both in and outside of the classroom. He was jumped in the bathroom, he was bullied on the playground. We met with the principal who has a reputation from the teachers for sweeping bullying under the rug. My kids do not feel safe at this school, and that is because the administration doesn't deal with the bullying.

Posted: July 20, 2018

I have been a member of the PTA and my kids Room Mom for 4 years. I volunteered weekly and made great relationships with the teachers and front office staff. Parent involvement and volunteering has dropped dramatically, coinciding with the doubling of the student population. Bullying is tolerated. When my son was bullied the parents of the bullies were not even made aware of what their students were doing for months, and I reached out to them to try to find resolution. The principal and Assistant Principal do not communicate with each other regarding student issues. The teachers are unheard by the principal and all the principal cares about is her political gain. Multiple long-time invested families have left the school because the bullying is out of control. This once great school has fallen prey to the ambitions of one leader. It is truly sad to see what has happened. I hope that parents begin to speak out and force the hand of the principal. Children should not be afraid to to go to school. They should not have anxiety attacks because of the failings of a bad principal who doesn't want her school labeled as a bullying school.

Posted: May 17, 2018

Some of the teachers assign homework based on student levels or achievements. Students who struggle are appropriately handled.

Posted: May 17, 2018

Some of the teachers in this school are very effective.
Examples of effective teachers are Kristin Hans, Carol Ramos (for students with English as second language), Rebecca Hoopes, Kim Arvidson and Paul Pence.
One or two examples for ineffective teachers in this school would be Angela Davis (does not work well with students or parents who are Spanish or other language speakers) and Phoebe Pierce.

Posted: May 17, 2018

Posted: May 17, 2018

Principal (since 2012) and few teachers at this site are proactive and encourages students to do better each time.

Posted: May 17, 2018

Posted: May 17, 2018

Posted: May 17, 2018

Excellent (barring a few minor incidents)
The school doesn't have enough spaces for parents to park their vehicles. Also close to the bell time (start and end of school day) the traffic will be a bit more than usual.
Please do not send or pick up any students through strangers (taxis/limos like uber / lyft, etc with unknown drivers).
Few students come to this school with something they are not supposed to have.

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: January 17, 2017

Wonderful community and school environment that focuses on developing well-rounded children with strong interpersonal skills. Principal Dr. McKean is amazing and provides excellent leadership to great teachers. Very fortunate to have a full time music teacher and robust music program.

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: December 16, 2016

My two children attend Empressa and we absolutely love it. The teachers are knowledgeable, patient, professional, and they truly care about their students. My son who is in kindergarten is very social and is still learning boundaries. Instead of always giving him negative attention, his teacher would ask him to help her get the class to be on task. He would feel a sense of leadership and remind him that he needs to be a good example. The communication between teachers/school and parents is consistent and clear.

Posted: September 14, 2016

We just love this school. We're on a transfer and it was one of the best decisions we could have made for our daughter. The principal is very hands on and knows most of the kids by name, and this is not a small school. The amount of parent involvement is over the top. There are never a shortage of volunteers. I just love that music classes are built into the curriculum. Empresa is a very well rounded school and not only has strong academics, but also teaches the kids to be kind and good people.

Posted: February 22, 2015

My daughter transferred schools this year from Bonsall West to Empresa and I cannot tell you how impressed we are with everyone from the principal to the office staff. Mr. Pence is my daughter's teacher and he is very quick to understand his students' learning styles and is an excellent communicator with parents. The principal is very personable and knows each child by name. She has an amazing 5-year plan and I could not be happier with our switch. My daughter is thriving. Please do not be put off by the lack of "curb appeal" at this school. It is truly 5-star in every way.

Posted: October 23, 2013

The school is fantastic- we came from a private (Montessori) kindergarten not knowing what to expect, and were blown away! The principal is very involved, knows the kids by name. Music program is amazing!

Posted: October 22, 2013

The principal and teachers engage and value the parents, as well as the students. I can't say I ever remembered my principals of the past- but Empresa kids know and love their principal on a personal basis. We have seen her rap at Friday Flag and perform "Gangam 5th Grade Style" to honor the 5th grade graduates, just to name a few ways she stays relevant to parents and students alike. The music program it top notch; it shows in the academic performance and achievement of the students and provides a backdrop to school spirit. While any elementary school parent would be hard pressed to find a functioning GATE program in most local districts, this staff and administration have been open and responsive to the needs of gifted students.

Posted: September 25, 2013

Having attended many schools as a "military brat" including small tightknit overseas DOD campuses as well as schools on the East Coast and in California I offer this opinion regarding Empresa. It is an extraordinary school! Beautiful campus with the rolling hills of Camp Pendleton as a backdrop, it's staffed by a team of people who obviously love their mission of educating,motivating and caring for the kids of our community. Their enthusiasm is reciprocated in the community support they receive (ie good level of parental involvement). It's no surprise they are a California distinguished school. One cannot talk about Empresa without a nod to the excellent music program with funding made possible by EPAF and under the excellent direction of Mr Cook . Empresa Rocks!

Posted: October 29, 2011

This is the best school I've ever dealt with. I attended Empresa Elementary as a child, along with my two siblings and they have nothing but the best. Their academic standards are high, ensuring a great education and future for your child. Most teachers are tough in the best ways that will ultimately really help your child achieve their goals. Im starting college soon and will always be a huge supporter of Empresa Elementary because of how much I learned there with great discipline and a lot of fun at the same time! My best memories and most favorite teachers are from that school. Mostly because of how hard they pushed me and honestly did benefit me in the future.

Posted: June 1, 2011

My child attended Empresa for 3rd grade, she loved her teacher, the Principle and the school. The staff is wonderful and under the current Principle and all her hard work, Empresa is now a California distinguished school. We will be returning to Empresa for my child's 5 grade. I have been so happy with this school!

Posted: March 29, 2011

This school has good teachers but is terribly ruined by the current principle. Please back Mr. Goldberg or someone with his drive to make a better school.

Posted: September 27, 2010

It is such a dynamic school. My grandson has been there for 5 years and he has loved every one of them. The school spirit is fantastic and the teaching staff and principal are stupendous!

Posted: September 19, 2010

The teaching staff are awesome as is their performing arts program. Very few, if any public schools still have a music program, much less performing arts.