St. Angela Merici Elementary School
575 South Walnut Avenue
Brea, CA 92821
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 529-6372
Community Reviews
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 WhatsAp
Posted by a parent on 7/9/2024Transitioning to this new school has been easy and welcoming. We are looking forward to the new school year. We loved our teacher, Ms. Hua who was great with teaching and keeping kids in line with homework assignments, etc. We appeciate our principal, Mrs. Telles for being closely involved with our
Posted by a parent on 8/3/2023As a member of this school and community for 7 plus years, I want to share how sadden and heartbroken I am. SAM is no longer what it used to be, sadly because of the principal, Mrs. JoAnn Telles. She is nice at first but then her true self comes out and it’s not positive. This principal is unethical
Posted by a parent on 7/20/2023The public schools near us have top-rated academic programs and facilities. Yet, we drive further and pay tuition to send our kids to St. Angela's. Why? It's that's much better. We've been extremely impressed by the caliber of teacher that works at the school. It's clear that this is more than a job
Posted by a parent on 7/17/2023Sign up your kids up if they thrive in a “sink or swim” environment. want large class sizes with no TAs after 2nd grade. No clubs either. Then come to SAM. The teachers are overwhelmed and inexperienced. Some have just been teaching their OWN class for a year. A parent can not engage in conversation
Posted by a parent on 2/8/2023Nearby Schools
Browse other schools near St. Angela Merici Elementary School- Heights Christian Schools - Brea Friends Campus
- PK-5
- Private
- 235 Students
NAGreatSchools RatingParent Rating Average
No reviews available for this school. - Christ Lutheran School
- PK-8
- Private
- 261 Students
NAGreatSchools RatingParent Rating AverageThis is the must place to put your child. Their dedicated staffs and the teachers are where you feel safe to have your children to learn from it.Parent Review2mo ago - St. Juliana Falconieri
- K-8
- Private
- 296 Students
NAGreatSchools RatingParent Rating AverageOur 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.Other Review2mo ago
Brea schools - St. Angela Merici Elementary School is located at 575 South Walnut Avenue, Brea CA 92821. St. Angela Merici Elementary School is a Private school that serves grade levels K-8.
