2016 Phalarope Ct
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

My granddaughter is going on her 2nd year at Estancia and I have to say I am glad we are at this school. The teachers are amazing, they make learning exciting. My granddaughter got an A in history and she hates history. Mrs. Lee has made the class so fun. She is completely engulfed with astronomy and so excited about it due to Mr. Cleppy! As far as mental health goes I couldn't ask for a more supportive team of people from teachers to counselors to principal. Truly very grateful for all of the support. I almost forgot to mention drama production! Wonderful teacher, Ms. Marroqiun! The students have a great connection , I believe due to the exercises and encouragement from their teacher. The big negative is the amount of fights that occur here. It can be traumatizing to see an actual physical fight, it IS traumatizing. This needs to be addressed. All in all, I think it's a great school with great teachers and amazing staff.

This school has awesome programs as well as school fairs, fun electives, AVID programs. Although in the past this school was filled with troubled teens, Tewinkle has managed to "kill them with kindness" and encourage new generations to be more involved in academics. They have AC now in most classrooms and test scores have been improving! This school improves as time goes by.

Adams Elementary School in Mesa Verde is truly an exceptional place. Over the past several years, the transformation of this campus, both culturally and physically, has been remarkable. The credit goes directly to the outstanding leadership and staff.Principal Dr. Erven leads with transparency, consistency, and thoughtful intention. His leadership style is steady and methodical, creating a strong sense of trust within the school community. Alongside Assistant Principal Gabrielle Thurmond, who is equally present and engaged, they provide visible leadership that fosters safety and stability for students. Their presence on campus is not symbolic, it is consistent and meaningful.The weekly “Flag Deck” assemblies beautifully reflect the school’s culture. Students gather to celebrate attendance, athletics, and academic achievements, ending each week with encouragement and recognition. Watching students respectfully participate in the Pledge of Allegiance and cheer on their peers is uplifting and speaks volumes about the school environment.The staff is equally impressive. The front office team knows students by name and greets them personally, which reinforces the strong sense of belonging. Adams also offers robust enrichment programs such as cooking and dance, supporting well-rounded child development and strengthening the family community.Having toured the school five years ago for our older daughter, it is almost hard to believe it is the same campus today. Improvements to the fields and music classrooms, along with the school’s California Distinguished School recognition, reflect the dedication to excellence.Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the incredible kindergarten team. We have been blessed with Ms. Yu, and after volunteering on campus, I can confidently say the entire kindergarten staff is exceptional. They focus on each child’s individual learning potential and use positive reinforcement to create a nurturing environment where children feel loved, supported, and encouraged to do their very best.