263 Chestnut Way
Oceanside, CA 92057

The OUSD district and administrators of El Camino are not providing appropriate supports for students with severe autism and behavioral challenges. The special ed department on campus is not equipped with adequate infrastructure, amenities, or adaptive tools. The psychology department has not directly engaged non-verbal students as they would verbal students that reach out for their support. They do not seem to have the will to suggest behaviorally trained staff be hired and work in the classrooms to support teachers or students.Gates are left wide open during school hours even though they describe themselves as a "closed campus" which is a misnomer. This practice is in place regardless of documented safety incidents that have occurred on campus and in the nearby neighborhoods. This ranges from weapons being brought onto campus and special ed students eloping and experiencing mental health crises on campus. The principal has prioritized delivery trucks (there for the students) maintaining ease of access and not having the will to have security teams open and close the gates for such deliveries. OUSD District representatives including Saul Watson (Interim Coordinator of Student and Family Services) and Erin Wade (Special Ed Coordinator) have remained silent on the open-gate issue even when notified about the practice.If you have an overachieving student that has strong independent skills and is self motivated then this school will provide adequate opportunities.We have had 3 students attend this high school.

This school has some exciting new initiatives to embrace all students. The leadership is amazing.

As a current 7th grader here, I like this school a lot, but there is a lot of bullying, and the staff is not doing much about it. The staff is very friendly, as well as MOST of the teachers (some are very strict and nobody likes them). Many of the students vape which is obviously not allowed. If they get caught, they only get a one to two-day suspension. Most of the rules in the student handbook are broken. There is an AVID program which is very helpful, but there is a lot of work. Overall, I recommend this school because there are great learning opportunities. Go Cougars!