TR is an outstanding school, a top school in Orange County. It's tops because of the awesome kids, parents, and teachers. Turtle Rock, ROCKS!
... Read moreRead less
Posted by a other on 09/17/09
I am very disappointed with this so called top school, the staff are obsessed with keeping the school scores high, it is our feeling that the children are treated as objects to this end. The class sizes are too large, way too much homework accompanies the children which the staff requires the parents
... Read more to teach; I have a strong desire to assist in the teaching process of my children but not be the prime mover. The homework is repetitive and unchallenging for the children, I find no aspects of creativity encouraged, simply put, the children are being taught to pass tests. Never has my child returned home from school and described the day as fun or interesting. The attitude of the staff are that if the student doesn t represent a perfect pass level for there class or grade they should be held back, I and several other parents, feel that this is being done to raise the test average. I for one will not be allowing my children to be subjected to this wholly inadequate school at the next grade, I would recommend any future students parents to think twice before enrolling here, unless they want a child to be a poorly educated but fine test passer for the appallingly self centered staff and school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/29/09
Turtle Rock used to be the finest elementary school in Irvine with their old principal and staff. Unfortunately, the school has been going downhill ever since Sharon Adele retired, and was replaced with ChrisAnn Shane, who closed off the campus to parents and got rid of all the fundraisers (they needed
... Read more to put ads on the front of the school directories to pay for printing). The APAAS program, especially 6th Grade, went downhill after the four original teachers retired. APAAS used to be based on a higher quality of work and thinking skills. Now it just increases the workload on students, and doesn't prepare them well for later years of school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/19/09
As a parent that has been in the school for a few years and with chidren going from Montessori to Turtle Rock, I believe that the academic curriculum, though unchallenging for Montessori children in lower grades, do get more challenging in upper grades. There are upper grade teachers, my child was in
... Read more one, who gets the challenge because of the teacher in 5th grade - she was fantastic as was most of the 5th grade classes last year. Having volunteered in the classroom, I do know that children are taught how to solve the subject questions before homework assignment so if the child does not seem to know how to answer the questions, I would question if the child was paying attention in class? My child did and I normally do not help her with her homework, except for some of the GATE work which is more challenging which is what I expected of GATE. I have to agree that I was not as fortunate with the teacher in 4th grade. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/30/08
I had heard much about this school but my child has been there for 2 years now and I'm disappointed. They do not teach students, how to think. Only how to memorize certain facts or details, presumably those important for standardized test. My child attended a Montessori kindergarten and I found that
... Read more the learning skills in that kindergarten to be far superior to 1st or 2nd grade in Turtle Rock Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/26/08
I find it sad that parents are saying that all the school cares about are standardized test. It is a wonderful school where the students are challenged and taught well. Compared with other schools, the curriculum pushes the kids to achieve more without putting stress on them. The staff are very helpful
... Read more and will take the time to help the kids with all their needs. My daughter loves the school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 04/24/08
Turtle Rock really isn't what we expected, most teachers are not good with kids they take much investigations about the personal life of kid's family, too much homeworks and don't explain enough, the principal just pretends to help but really just take care the prestigiuos school. Some teachers usually
... Read more take preferences between students, and ethnic racial, they like perfect students but they are not perfect teachers, some others teachers are good and kind but the most not good with kids. too much discrimintarion too, we found since four years we really don't like this prestigious school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/14/08
Lower grades at TR are great, with some wonderful teachers. Upper grades are a huge disappointment. Overall, the scores seem to be much more a result of the demographics plus parental tutelage, not the classroom teaching. The upper grade teachers are very reluctant to differentiating instruction (the
... Read more GATE activities are minimal). Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/04/07
We have been at Turtle Rock for a year having attended several different schools over the years as we have moved about. Our experience at Turtle Rock has been very positive, we have found the teaching to be excellent and the activities challenging, innovative and interesting. The atmosphere is nurturing
... Read more and positive. Our daughter has responded very well to the high expectations and encouragement. Read less
Posted by a parent on 06/20/07
Turtle Rock has gone downhill over the past few years with the new principal. The old sense of community is gone--parents are banished from the school grounds before and after school, except for occasional 'after-school socials' that few parents or kids bother to attend. Many long-time parents have
... Read more simply given up and are just waiting for their kids to move on to middle school--or, they're leaving for other elementary schools. Although the lower grades are pretty good (too many kids in kindergarten, though), the upper grades leave a lot to be desired. Too much homework, way too much time spent preparing for the standardized tests by which the school is ranked and judged, and too little thinking. Previous comments about worksheets and filling in the blanks are correct. The goal is to have the kids score well, not think well--the two don't necessarily go hand in hand. Disappointing. Read less
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Irvine schools — Turtle Rock Elementary School is located at 5151 Amalfi Dr, Irvine CA 92603. 5151 Amalfi Dr is in the Turtle Rock neighborhood and 92603 ZIP code in Irvine, CA The school district for Turtle Rock Elementary School is the Irvine Unified School District. Turtle Rock Elementary School is a Public school that serves grade levels K - 6.
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Test Score Ratings
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