Higgins Way
Pacifica, CA 94044

I am leaving this review with a heavy heart and a deep sense of outrage. The Terra Nova High School administration, under Principal Megan Carey and Vice Principal Steve Pofahl, has allegedly fostered a culture of negligence that has put students in harm's way. The public statements from the district's superintendent, prioritizing legal jargon and "setting the record straight" over student well-being, are deeply disappointing and insulting to the community.From what I have observed and heard from current and former students, the administration allegedly failed to act on numerous reports of inappropriate conduct by staff members. Multiple accounts detail students and parents bringing forward concerns about specific teachers, only to be met with inaction, canceled meetings, and a complete lack of follow-up. This is not an isolated incident; it appears to be a systemic problem.I have seen the pain of students who went to their counselors and trusted adults for help, only to be ignored. Their stories describe a school environment where students fear for their safety, and where their trust in the adults who are supposed to protect them has been completely shattered.Until the leadership is held accountable and a transparent, top-to-bottom overhaul is conducted, I do not believe Terra Nova High School is a safe place for students. It is a school that has allegedly failed to protect its most vulnerable population, and that failure has had devastating consequences.

I am very thankful my child is able to attend this neighborhood school. We have lucked out in the teacher department so far as everyone we have had has been kind and celebrated my child for who they are. This is the second year of Mrs. Parrish and thankful for the changes she has made. I feel there is less of a tolerance of bullying as she takes it seriously and I feel her communication and follow-through has been really strong. The only thing I would change is help with updated buildings for after school care as they are very run down (those are in the City of Pacifica hands though) and also more support for outdoor play. There are currently so many rules in place due to limited staffing on yards that many things children love such as basketball or play structure are taken away due to age. Overall, I love the community feel and how everyone looks out for each other and the children. Thank you Cabrillo staff for all you do!

My three kids have had a wonderful experience at Ocean Shore School. And so have I as a parent. Why does my experience matter? Because Ocean Shore is a unique project-based learning school that invites parents to participate and learn alongside their kids. That's one of the things that appealed most to me when we were selecting which school to send my eldest to. I still remember sitting on the edge, praying so hard that we would win the lottery and get a coveted spot at this school.We have had a wonderful experience with most of our teachers. They are so creative and dedicated. The teachers make this school very special, and the community makes it exceptional. I love the way teachers embrace parent involvement not just as fundraisers but in the classroom, collaborating with them.About once a month, the whole class goes out into the world and learns outside the classroom. In kindergarten, we took the kids to the farmer's market, to the zoo, and to wade in tidepools at the beach. These field trips grow with the kids. My favorite overnight field trip is to Fort Ross, an old Russian Fur Trading Fort. It's a living history program that involves several months of prep where parents and students work together to make costumes, prepare food we will cook on oven fires, and items we will sell at the store. The kids take on roles of people who lived in the fort and learn to dance the troika. It's the kind of experience that can only be pulled off by a community of families working together.Two of my oldest kids are now off to college. Ocean Shore prepared them well for high school and they are now thriving in college.We often saw, Ocean Shore is a family of families. The community is incredibly open, inclusive, and supportive. Friendships made at Ocean Shore last a life time.

My child is now in fourth grade and has been at Vallemar since kindergarten. My child has had a positive experience for the most part, but I have to say, my personal interactions with the teachers have been lukewarm at best. The teacher this year is downright cold, only emailing me to tell me when my child has forgotten something. She does not even acknowledge my return responses to her. Class size is huge (34 kids!!), so maybe that has something to do with it, but a one-sentence response that would take 30 seconds to write would go a long way. Also, I reached out to the principal about the standardized tests that were administered last spring since we have not received the results yet (it is now September). No response at all.I really wish I could write a glowing review, but I simply can't. Instead, I am very seriously thinking of putting my child into a different school, either next year or maybe even sooner.

Worst experience a parent could imagine.. it's supposed tobe about the children... something is off... I feel bad for all the boys I see sitting in the office crying.. alot of lost time they should of been focusing on their schooling.. not being interrogated for a report... gave my son a police record at 8 years of age on false accusations... took my wife's motherhood away on a power trip.. things need to change now... for the love of the children... THEY DESERVE BETTER... !!

They will not expel kids who vape and keep doing it the kids also harass the bus driver and they are encouraged other kids to do it like girls I know and I don’t feel safe

We dont move out of Pacifica because of Ortega. If Im counting my blessings - this school and their staff are counted twice! I appreciate how transparent the teachers are when my little ones progress and updates on parent square make things so much easier. My kids wake up and are eager to come. They rave about the lessons they learn and we spend car rides talking about their days. Bonus - The lessons on diversity are appreciated. The only downer is the parking situation but the volunteers help move the car line along. Anywho! Thank you to all the staff who empower my littles and so many others to be fearless learners, dreamers, and overall good human beings :)