Olde Torrance

My overall experience with Torrance Elementary School has been very negative. I did not feel that my concerns were taken seriously, especially when they involved my child’s safety and well-being. As a parent, that was extremely disappointing and stressful.The worst part of my experience was feeling that communication lacked transparency and that my concerns were not handled in a way that made me feel my child was being protected. I left feeling unheard and unsupported.Unfortunately, I cannot point to any positive part of my experience because it did not meet my expectations for a safe and supportive school environment.I would like to see the school place a much stronger emphasis on student safety, honest and transparent communication with families, and greater accountability when parents raise serious concerns. Every child deserves to feel safe at school, and every parent deserves to know that their concerns will be treated with respect and urgency.

I used to love this school, but unfortunately the recent administration has been disappointing. In my experience, the principal seems to rely too heavily on strict policies without enough consideration for individual circumstances. I have witnessed a lot of unfairness in the way situations are handled, particularly involving students with special needs. From what I have observed, there seems to be very little patience, flexibility, or understanding for their individual needs, which has been deeply disappointing.A year ago, before the new administration, I would have wholeheartedly recommended this school. Today, I would encourage families to explore other options.I have also found it difficult to address concerns with the parish leadership. In my experience, the priest is rarely available, and when concerns are raised, he has supported the principal by saying, "I used to be a teacher, so l agree with her," rather than addressing the specific issues being brought forward. That response left me feeling that my concerns were not genuinely heard or considered.

This school offers a fantastic balance of enrichment and convenience. Students enjoy diverse after-school activities like chess, coding, and violin, complemented by exciting field trips to the Catalina Island Marine Institute and science museums.Communication is a major strength. The unified platform keeps everyone connected, and the principal’s weekly email is a lifesaver—it consolidates all upcoming events into one place, so parents don't have to hunt through the website or old emails. The daycare is also excellent, featuring a clean, organized space and healthy snacks.