McAuliffe Elementary School

"McAuliffe has such a good warm feel ALL staff is friendly we are greeted every morning with smiles and cheer. We were at the”top” rated school in Oceanside and I actually transferred my other child to McAuliffe I really feel like the teachers and staff go above and beyond for the kids and they really nurture not just their mind but their little spirits as well, they are so encouraging and motivating to the kids. From our last school experience with the other “top” school which was cold shoulders and only focused on test scores it just wasn’t what made my kids smile everyday after picking them up from school and now at McAuliffe I get smiles and excitement everyday! McAuliffe has really mastered that they truly put their whole heart and happiness into their students."

"Both my kids attend Christa McAuliffe Elementary School. We are so pleased with the experiences that have had at this school. ALL the teachers have been amazing and have exceeded our expectations. They are experienced, personable, and go above and beyond to educate our kids. I am truly grateful for their efforts and believe they are why both my kids are excellent readers and excel in all subjects. We are also very impressed with our principal Mr. Rowe. My kids think he is great! He is approachable, fair, involved, and makes great effort to make his presence known throughout the school. I always see him talking and hanging out with the kids. It is obvious that Mr. Rowe enjoys what he does and we are grateful to have him lead our school. We also have an amazing PTA board who dedicates a lot of their time in providing fantastic events for our kids such as after school movies, bingo nights, family activities, and the best Fall Festival in town! A few years ago we considered moving to another district, but I couldn't imagine leaving such an amazing school. We ended up not moving and I think it was a good choice."

"I was the first class to come through here 1st-6th before OUSD moved middle schools to 6th-8th. It was engrained in me the honor and tragedy for which my school was named. The hilltop location is the pride of all the schools in the city. Oceanside High may have the beach down the street, but this is the best. With a open field park behind and 7 foot basketball courts I always felt this place less of a prison feel than most schools. I had so many memories of this place growing up, my entire youth basically. I definitely spent more time here than the average kid because of after school basketball. First fight, first kiss, first time doing illegal substances (relax, this was in the summertime and just me and my friends, nothing to do with school) I absolutely had the best teachers around, many of which i still keep in contact with 20+ years later. If your reading this you are probably looking to place your kids here and the game has changed so much there are probably better resources to decide with."

"I am compelled to write this review as I am really surprised that there is only one review of McAuliffe on Google. I am here to say from my heart that this is a great school! My husband and I agreed that our kids would go to private school after the kids completed Kindergarten, however we were so impressed by the teachers and staff there, we have now stayed 5 years and have been very happy with the entire McAuliffe community! Both of my kids have such exceptional teachers this year, I can honestly say I do not think I could have dreamed up better qualities for either - public school OR private school! Their teachers are kind and creative and believe strongly in positive reinforcement. The fourth graders are learning to "think like scholars" - to look at problems from many angles - to express their thoughts and entertain opinions which are different from their own. Some of the second graders are reading to therapy dogs and working together outside in a grant funded butterfly garden where they learn about and WITNESS the entire "egg to caterpillar to butterfly" cycle unfold in front of their eyes! They learn how to respect nature and the process involved. This school has so much to offer. Please check it out for yourself - talk to the principal, to a few of the teachers, a few of the parents - before you decide. My kids and my husband and I all love this school."

"This was the best school, awards, high test scores, caring staff. Since the principal retired about 3 years back the new one is horrible, Impatient and unprofessional like handing out tons of late slips to kids when the roads were worked on and the kids were barely 5 min late. She has a very high and mighty disposition and the school has gone down hill since she became principal. Picking up your kids is terrible, they have two major cross walks with no guards at them. This has been very dangerous especially since there is one way in or out so 200+ cars are navigating on narrow streets with kids crossing not always on cross walks but sometimes right in front of cars. Parents cutting people off and blocking lanes. You will hardly, if ever see the principal out during pick up and drop off. They have been unorganized for years with this situation and just by luck no one has gotten hurt by the poor staffing for pick up and drop off much less an accident. They don't even try to make this event less stressful. There are many wonderful teachers and office staff that under the last principals guidance made this school win the distinguished school award many years in a row. I doubt we will see these awards anymore and I believe we haven't gotten one since she has taken office. I use to highly recommend this school. Most of the teachers still make it a decent school."