Brea Chem

Our family has been part of this school community for many years, and it is painful to see its decline. As a grandparent, I’ve watched the academic standards and leadership deteriorate. While moving on from the previous principal, who was extremely ineffective and in this role far too long, was the right decision, the teachers at that time still maintained stability. Unfortunately, once many strong, experienced and qualified teachers left, the school lost its foundation.More than half of the current teachers lack proper credentials (public record), and several teach outside their area of expertise. Many families have had to hire tutors while still paying full tuition. Staffing changes happen without explanation: the Spanish teacher was replaced, and the art teacher left midyear.The technology program was eliminated and replaced with a science lab that teachers do not take their students to. Students cannot take devices home, yet families are charged a technology fee for each child with no formal instruction. Fundraising is overwhelming; there is something almost every week, with no transparency on how the money is spent. Tuition is already significant, yet the school heavily relies on parents to fill gaps.Leadership remains a concern. The vice principal seems unprepared and unqualified, and the new principal, though inheriting a mess, is unapproachable. The office manager is consistently grumpy, making the first point of contact stressful. New families are working hard to help, but the expectations placed on them are excessive and unsustainable.Academically, my grandchildren are not prepared for high school compared to peers from other schools. Father Mike does not truly know his congregation, and we no longer attend Mass due to the environment and treatment of parishioners. The school has lost many families, and we now face the same difficult decision.There are still a few dedicated teachers who truly care, but there is not enough to justify staying. Families must carefully research academics and leadership before enrolling, tuition is a major investment, and children deserve proper preparation for high school. As a grandparent, it is incredibly disappointing to see a school that once had such a strong reputation decline in this way. I share these concerns not out of bitterness, but in the hope that leadership will recognize the seriousness of the issues and work toward meaningful change.

Our family feels incredibly grateful to be part of the HOPE community. Both Ethan and Edwin truly enjoy their time at school — every day they come home happy and excited to share what they’ve learned. What we appreciate most is that they’re not only growing academically, but also developing important life skills such as responsibility, kindness, and good habits. The teachers and staff genuinely care about the students, creating a positive and supportive environment where children can thrive both in learning and in life.

My child just completed first year at SAM and we both love this school. We had an overwhelming amount of communication at first but got used to it. School emails newsletters twice a week and each class have class moms that help bridge gaps between parents and teacher. Our class mom started a WhatsApp group just for class parents to communicate with each other, which I found so helpful. I did have an incident with the teacher and principal when we first started school and Ms. Tellez (principal) listened to my concern and suggested I speak with teacher first to try to resolve and if it couldn't be resolved to then involve her. I was able to email the teacher and did have a face-to-face meeting with her to address my concerns and we were able to work through it. The teacher emailed weekly and she and her TA, both kept us in the loop by taking pictures throughout the school year. Our class is remarkably close, and all the parents feel like we are family. In fact, if I ever need anything I know I can call another parent and ask for help. We have had a wonderful experience at SAM.