Irvine Housing Forums

A Possible Fifth High School at the Great Park

2008-11-27T13:05:20-08:00

Just found a copy of the minutes to a board meeting for the IUSD which discusses plans for opening new schools. It stated that they are planning a middle school at the Great Park and possibly a high school also.

Here’s an excerpt from the minutes:

“Irvine Unified School District
Irvine, California
Board of Education
Minutes of Special Meeting
March 12, 2007

....

School Openings
Tentative timelines for new school openings were presented as follows:
Fall 2007 Woodbury Elementary School (El Camino Real relocation)
Fall 2009 Stonegate Elementary School (Westwood Basics Plus relocation)
Fall 2009 Middle School in PA 40 (Woodbury)
Fall 2011 South Portola Springs Elementary School
Fall 2012-13 Middle School in Great Park
TBD North Portola Springs Elementary School
TBD PA1 or 5B Elementary School

....
Other Discussion
The Board also discussed the possible need for a 5th high school (magnet) in the Great Park, as
well as the possibility of creating “choice zones” for students residing in the SVUSD quadrant
of the Great Park and the SAUSD quadrant of Jamboree Village. “

Here’s the link:
http://www.iusd.org/board_of_education/minutes/2007/documents/Minutes-031207.pdf

Myford or Ladera Elementary?

2008-11-14T11:18:25-08:00

We are leaving our IAC in Westpark for a rental house in West Irvine in December….meaning we will need to change schools and school districts for our Kindergartner. For a lot of reasons—- not the least of which we plan to buy in Orchard Hills when it comes online—- we are very ok with leaving IUSD. Dig the gated campuses and elementary uniforms at the Tustin schools.

My question for anyone who has (or had) kids at either school….Do you have a strong opinion either way on Myford vs. Ladera Elem.? Our assigned neighborhood school will be Myford, but it looks like we could choose Ladera on open enrollment, and it is pretty close by. My research shows that Myford appears to be much more crowded (although principal has confirmed they will have a seat for my girl in January). Ladera has a higher API (953 vs 936)—- but that does not mean a whole lot to us….If Myford is overcrowed and a stressful environment, however, that would mean a lot.

Many thanks in advance for any thoughts and opinions!

Irvine Pony League vs. Irvine Little League

2008-09-04T21:11:37-08:00

My 5 year old son wants to do baseball. I know nothing about baseball, so I googled and found these two local leagues. Can someone comment on them? Which one is better for a young starter with inexperienced parents?

TIA!

Leport Montessori or Westpark Montessori

2008-11-08T21:10:30-08:00

Hello,

Does anybody have any information good or bad on Leport or Westpark Montessori? I am considering enrolling my toddler there, but would like to hear from other parents who have children there.

Thanks!

Village of Stonegate is getting a new school

2008-07-23T21:26:53-08:00

The principal of my son’s kindergarten (today was his first day of kindergarten ) sent out a mass email today to all parents, telling us that he’s leaving Plaza Vista School to become the principal of Westwood Basics which is currently in Northwood “but is moving to the Village of Stonegate for the 2009/2010 school year.“

Wonder who’s gonna attend? Stonegate consists of two apartment complexes. Are they gonna send the 10 kids who live in Portola Springs there? And Woodbury East? Hmmmm…..

Vandalism at Uni High School

2008-10-17T10:39:30-08:00

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/school-irvine-water-2198322-hicks-high

Trick or Treat

2008-10-30T12:04:34-08:00

I’m planning to take my daughter to do Trick or Treat at mall? Laguna Hills mall and Misson Viejo Mall will give out Candies. Which one is better? or any other suggestions?

Thanks

UCI Early Childhood Education Center / Tutor Time Newport Beach

2008-10-14T12:35:02-08:00

I have a 2.5 yr old and I am looking for day care in the south Irvine/Newport Beach area. I am considering UCI’s ECEC and I was wondering if anyone here has any experience or stories about that place. The director and teachers there seemed nice but the facility wasn’t very impressive. I was very impressed with the facility at Tutor Time Newport Beach but I am a little concerned about the adult/kid ratio.

Christian Preschools in Irvine

2008-10-10T12:19:48-08:00

IPO:

Your kids go to Jenny Hart? Coincidentally I am going to their tour this coming Monday (the site says it’s required before being added to waiting list.) I am definitely looking forward to learning more about it. (Thanks to Irvinesinglemom for telling me about it.) I have been having a difficult time finding a Christian preschool. My son is only 2 1/2. He won’t start until age 4 but I want to allow plenty of time to explore our options and allow time for waiting list. You said they have one Bible class a week. Did they incorporate Christ-centered learning during the other days of the week? How would you describe the facility - is it clean and new / modern or older?

The only other places I know of with this type of program in the Irvine area are the preschool at Mariner’s Church (which I’ve heard not great comments on from two parents) and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church which nobody I know has used. Did you look at others before choosing J.H. and if so, what made you decide to go with J.H.?

Thanks in advance.

If anyone else has comments your experience with these schools I’d love to read them too.

All students at 10 Santa Ana schools to get free meals

2008-10-07T12:53:23-08:00

Linked as I think we could use some happy news to offset all the rest today…

All students at 10 Santa Ana schools to get free meals
The USDA will provide meals to students for the entire school year regardless of whether they qualify for the federal free and reduced-priced meal program.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/free-elementary-students-2182822-meals-program