Tustin Foothills

I am deeply disappointed with my experience at this Catholic school. It presents itself as an institution rooted in faith, compassion, integrity, and strong moral values, but my experience revealed a significant gap between those ideals and reality.There appears to be a clear disconnect between what is taught and what is practiced. Rather than prioritizing the well-being and development of students, the administration often seems more focused on protecting staff when legitimate concerns are raised. This creates an environment where accountability is lacking.The quality of education is also concerning. Some classrooms appear to be staffed by individuals who do not seem adequately prepared or qualified for their roles, giving the impression that positions are being filled out of necessity rather than a commitment to excellence.Even more troubling is the treatment some students receive from teachers and staff. No child should feel belittled, discouraged, or emotionally targeted by those entrusted with their education. One of the most heartbreaking experiences was hearing staff suggest that a child would never amount to anything in life while that child was present. It is difficult to describe how damaging it is to watch an adult in a position of authority undermine a young person's confidence and self-worth. Schools should encourage and inspire children, not make them feel defeated.There is also a noticeable sense of entitlement among some parents involved with the school community. Some are quick to spread rumors, overstep boundaries, and reprimand children who are not their own while volunteering. This contributes to an environment that feels judgmental rather than supportive.The school appears to maintain a carefully crafted image. Families who fit a particular mold seem to be accepted without question, while those who do not may find themselves judged, excluded, or treated differently. This creates a culture where appearances seem to matter more than understanding, growth, and compassion.A school should be a safe place where children can develop academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Sadly, that has not been my experience here. I encourage families considering enrollment to do their research and ask difficult questions before making a decision.

Our family had a bad experience last year, and this year’s rosters reinforced our concerns. In our experience, there appeared to be preferential treatment for staff families in both teacher assignments and front-row seating—even though my son was the only student wearing glasses in his class and needed a closer seat. As the new year began, there was still no assigned 3rd-grade teacher. When we chose to withdraw before school started, the school declined to refund two months of tuition (the registration fee is explicitly non-refundable per policy). Throughout our correspondence, the tone from leadership was unnecessarily harsh and not what we expected from a Christian school. We also noticed teacher departures during our time there, which added to the instability. Based on our experience, we cannot recommend this school.