Canyon Vista Elementary School is nestled in the hilltop community of Aliso Viejo, adjacent to Soka University. With a breathtaking view of Wood Canyon and the hilltops of Laguna Beach, the school opened its doors in August of 2003. As a "walking school", all of the families live within the local community and walk in neighborhood groups to the beautiful, new school. The facility is comprised of thirty classrooms, a multi-purpose room, a TV studio and computer lab featuring the latest in state of the art technology including internet access in every classroom and an emphasis on multimedia and integration of technology into the curriculum. Featured software includes Accelerated Reader and Accelerated Math programs to individualize the reading and math curriculum for students.

Canyon Vista's character education program called Character Counts nurtures character development, good citizenship, responsibility and lays a solid foundation for character development by teaching children right from wrong by acting as positive role models. It enforces the "Six Pillars of Character" by rewarding good behavior and encouraging children to live up to the character traits. The program asks children and adults alike to model good behaviors in everything they say and do.

The focal theme of the school is Teaming for the Learning of All Children (TLC). The TLC model fully differentiates the curriculum by scaffolding students in grades K-5. Scaffolding, providing support to the neediest students, takes place during the "supplementary skills" portion of the day during which students are grouped according to their instructional level for reading and math. A TLC support team including classroom teachers, two credentialed special education teachers and two trained full time aides is available to provide additional assistance during supplementary skills instruction to reduce the student to teacher ratio in specific classrooms. Students move between classrooms within their grade level for an intensive hour of "skills" instruction with students of similar abilities. Skills instruction may include remediation, depth and complexity strategies or acceleration of the curriculum, beyond the state standards depending on the needs of the child. A menu of seven different programs is utilized to best meet the needs of a wide range of students.

The goals of the TLC Model are:
-To improve the academic performance of all students by fully differentiating the instruction at the level of the learner.
-To provide early intervention and prevent student failure.
-To increase the capacity of teachers to serve the diverse needs of students.

This year, Canyon Vista's amazing PTA will provide a multitude of enrichment programs for our students both during the day and after school. Just to name a few programs: Walk-to-School Day, Red Ribbon Week, Bike Rodeo, Science Family Fun Night, Meet the Author Assembly, Reading Olympics, book fairs, Art Masters, field trips, Jog-a-thon, Reflections Contest, talent show, Imagination Machine as well as several free after school assemblies for students. Through the Adult and Community Education Department, a full compliment of fee-based after school enrichment classes is offered weekly at Canyon Vista to students in the school and community who might wish to participate.

In partnership with Soka University, Soka students volunteer to assist teachers in classrooms. Canyon Vista serves as a professional development site for California State University Fullerton. Staff members serve as mentors and trainers for teacher trainees.