Nelson continues to be a great elementary school and neighborhood asset. Leadership is good. Teachers are supportive and focused on learning. Our two boys could not have had a better foundation than what they received at Nelson. They and their friends are in college or headed for college--and well prepared
... Read more for the challenge thanks to the great start they got at Nelson. Go Tigers! Read less
Posted by a parent on 04/02/09
My daughter is halfway through her kindegarten year at Nelson, and both ehr dad and I are BEYOND happy with the school. We feel involved and engaged with the process on a daily basis. Mrs. Poellnitz is one of those rare and amazing teachers, a woman who cares and loves those kids beyond belief. I
... Read more am floored; every morning when I drop off my dautghter, kids from the older grades flock around mrs. P to brag about their great test scores and how well they are doing. She's always got a smile, a high-five and a word of encouragement for them all. If you're not happy at Nelson, it means you're not involved. I'm a full-time working mom, too, but I do what I can, when I can. Your kid's education is not up to someone else--it takes YOUR active and engaged particiaption, as well. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/19/09
My suggestion for the parent who wrote the negative remarks about a wonderful school like Nelson is this: Move out of Nelson s boundary. Don t waste your hard earned dollars on private school. Private schools are filled with parents who are more interested in earning an extra buck than spending time
... Read more with their children. I chose to be a stay at home Mom and my husband s income was not enough to move us to what I thought was a better situation for my children. I put my child in private school for one year and hated it. I met nothing but a bunch of pompous people who thought they were better than the rest of us in their same neighborhood I then went to Nelson School and soon discovered that it was exactly what I wanted. I couldn t be happier with the teachers, principal, and all the students. Read less
Posted by a parent on 02/08/09
It's so refreshing to see such great reviews posted about a great school! I have had such a wonderful experience at Nelson and I think the staff goes above and beyond their call of duty. In addition, a recent article posted by Bill Gates states that its not the school your at but the teachers you have.
... Read more The good news is that Nelson is both a great school with great teachers. The teachers at this school make a difference everyday in my childrens lives! Thank you Nelson.. Read less
Posted by a parent on 02/01/09
I'm glad there are still a few holdouts left at this school that have kept it from sinking completely. California schools are deteriorating into a morass of third world stature and Nelson is among the victims. Title I means that a majority of the students qualify for free meals, it is not my rule
... Read more but traditionally lower incomes do not mean higher education standards. Nelson provides 'free daycare' for many, many families. The teachers are wonderful but can only do so much. Are you willing to let your child slip between the cracks? Thank God for Paula the secretary, she runs the school and gives us a glimmer of light. However the tide has turned against us and we will have to do like so many others in our neighborhood and pay for private school next year. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/31/09
I just read that Nelson is one of only 200 schools out of 6000 in California to be recognized as a 2008-2009 Title I Academic Achievement Award School and a CBEE 2009 Honor Roll School. This along with having been named a California Distinguished School in 1997 and 2004 says it all. They have also
... Read more been recognized for their Response to Instruction program TEAM Time. This is definitely a school that works toward the high achievement of all students. Students are happy and working hard. Parents are supportive and active in volunteering in the school. It is one of the hardest working staffs and principals that I have ever seen at one school.As I read some of the reviews here, I can only say that you can't please every one. As for me, I feel truly blessed to have my children attending W. R. Nelson Elementary Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/28/09
My child went to Nelson for 2 years before I took him out. I volunteered to try to do my part to help this school. However, it was always the same people doing the help. I'm not raining on the parade for this school, but there's only so much the same help can take. I was not happy with the
... Read more leadership of the school (and lack of). There were a handful of teachers whom I just love and yet others who just didn't seem to be there to teach to the fullest. I have seen the problems fellow parents discuss (busing in, translation of lessons, English speaking students not getting the same one-on-one time). When a school is stuck in a rut, a dedicated parent must make a decision on how to help broaden their childs future and put them in a place were education is taken seriously. Read less
Posted by a parent on 11/06/08
I have enjoyed the close knit diverse feel of this school. Nobody puts on any airs at this school! There is a nice mix of homeowners and renters and nobody thinks or acts like they are more superior than the rest. It is just wonderful. Nelson test scores are fantastic, the teachers are outstanding, and
... Read more the principal is very experienced. What more could you ask for??? Read less
Posted by a parent on 07/20/08
I have taught at Nelson for many years and have seen tremendous changes in our community and student population. As a staff, we are constantly working to adapt our teaching strategies to meet the needs of each and every student. The reality in California is that schools are changing. No longer do
... Read more we see a heterogeneous student body. We encourage our community to embrace these changes and to support teachers who, even with limited resources due to budget cuts, are working very hard to meet the needs of each student. It is obvious from some of these reviews that many parents do not understand that Nelson faces the same challenges as every other school in California. If you truly want to voice an opinion, write to your representative in Congress and urge them to give support to the teachers who are giving their all to make every student a success. Read less
Posted by a teacher on 07/12/08
Our family is delighted with Nelson. We volunteer once a week in the classroom and the teachers are first rate and care about the kids. We've seen a noticeable improvement in our children's reading, writing, math and socialization skills. Unlike some places where the kids come pre-programmed and just
... Read more show up to school, we feel like the staff is actually making a differnce in our children's development. It is easy for the nay sayers to rain on the party. I suppose the web has made it too easy for folks to write complaints rather than act to help. But there are plenty of us here that are makng a difference in these children. 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.
Tustin schools — W R Nelson Elementary School is located at 14392 Browning Ave, Tustin CA 92780. 14392 Browning Ave is in the 92780 ZIP code in Tustin, CA The school district for W R Nelson Elementary School is the Tustin Unified School District. W R Nelson Elementary School is a Public school that serves grade levels K - 5.
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Test Score Ratings
Test score ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results reported by this state. These ratings may help
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experience, academic programs, extracurricular activities, resources for special needs students, etc. These ratings are
not provided by the state Department of Education, which may have their own rating systems.
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
