Aliso Viejo Middle School

I'm a dad. In 2019, my wife and I had a serious concern for our child, who was a student at this school, that we needed to inform the school about. Principal Cynthia Steinert, as well as the vice principal, and two teachers, were very indifferent and invalidating about our situation. Since they didn't know how to give the help our child needed, our child is now finally learning better and enjoying wonderful friendships at a different school.

I’m glad there is a website like this one so that parents can share their experiences. Unfortunately with AVMS ours wasn’t so good. My kids went to this school and the negative comments about the school club are 100% accurate. Parents please keep a close watch on what is going on and being taught at this school. Even though they now have some info on the website about the club it’s not what they claim. Teachers and other school staff should not hide stuff like this from parents. Adults should want to protect children and parents rights to protect their children. I’m not sure why some people want to marginalized what happened. It was terrible, and should have been addressed by the district in a more professional manner with a solution that the parents involved could have agreed upon. It’s shameful that the original complaint was twisted into something that it never was, but apparently that’s the only way the district could justify their decision.

AVMS is an excellent school with a supportive and caring staff. My children have had great experiences so far. The teachers my children have had have been kind, helpful, and have always been available for questions when I’ve reached out to them. The principal Mrs. Steinert does an excellent job and greets everyone each morning in the parking lot with a smile. My children have dealt with some typical “middle school drama” but the school has always resolved it promptly. As a PTSA Board Member last year, I can say that some of the comments below regarding the GSA are incorrect. When questions arose regarding the club topics, the staff advisors were helpful and provided all the meeting minutes for the year, answered all of our questions, and even discussed having us sit in on a meeting. They were as transparent as possible with all inquiries.It’s unfortunate to read uninformed comments as most club topics were on finding support systems and how to talk to parents, nothing in the minutes discussed the act of sex. I highly recommend this school and the excellent education they’re providing.

There are wonderful teachers, administration and staff at AVMS. It pains me to say that it’s unfortunate that there is some staff there that makes it so bad there that I would never recommend this school to anyone. AVMS has found away to get around sex education laws by hiding behind a teacher run school club that meets at lunch, the district supports this corrupt behavior. They hide behind the GSA label as if that makes it ok to teach children mature sexual subjects without parent’s permission. Absolutely the creepiest thing I have ever experienced in a school setting. Please don’t get a false sense of security that you are being notified regarding sex education that is required by the state, this is a different class. This school will HIDE inappropriate discussions they have with your kids, (the school has other lunchtime things in the works) you are being forewarned PLEASE take it seriously for the sake of your child