Sumach Ln, Chino, CA 91709

This school checks every box on the “reasons to avoid public schools” stereotype list. As an active parent volunteer to a high-achieving student in my child’s classroom, It is clear that slower-progressing children get left behind due to student teacher ratios and resource limitations. This is especially true in lower grades where children in early developmental stages require individualized support and attention. However, the teachers here are not resourced to provide that attention and instead focus efforts on students who are able to “keep up” with the severely outdated curriculum and schedule, leaving others to fend for themselves and setting the foundation for a lifetime of learning challenges for students who otherwise would have thrived with some intention and individualized support. Additionally, Litel is AWFUL at communicating to parents. Unless they are asking for money (which they do on a very frequent basis), don’t expect to be in the know about what’s taking place while your child is at school unless your child tells you themselves or until it has already happened. This includes communication on bullying, emergency drills, assemblies, testing, events, special guest visits, etc. It very much feels like the school treats students as “their kids”, leaving parents to compete for basic visibility into what their kids are actually experiencing behind school doors on a daily basis.Last but certainly not least, this school practices extremely exclusionary practices under the guise of “competition.” Events like the “fun run”, “twin days”, “student of the month”, etc, clearly create and encourage favoritism and division between students. This may be understandable for older kids, but telling a group of sixty 4-6 year olds that only three of them can win a prize (e.g. fun run) when they all tried equally as hard is a recipe for disaster. Don’t believe me, ask the dozens of small children who were left crying on the field because they “weren’t fast enough.” But hey, at least the school made an extra buck at the expense of your four-year-olds confidence and self esteem. Unreal. Much of this could be remedied with additional staffing resources and modernized curriculum, but CVUSD is tied up in so many lawsuits (thanks to the board president and Calvary Chapel) that significant funds are allocated to legal fees instead of student-facing supports. Oh, and parking is the nightmare that everyone says it is. Arrive 1 hour early if you want a spot.