So I went to this school a couple of years ago and I miss the days that I went to this school. At…read morethe time, it was one of the top-rated schools of the state, and it still holds that reputation today. It also has an exceptional faculty and nice kids. One thing I didn't like however was that the school is tiny. It feels like you can't meet anybody new and the school gets repetitive quickly. Aside from that though, easy 5-star school.

Just saw the latest rankings. The school is ranked # 7 in the state…read more For me having a student there, this is no surprise. From my experience with the teachers and the leadership of Principal Chun I would expect this. It's a great school with caring administration, wonderful parent volunteers, and just a positive environment. We are lucky to have our child here. Thank you all at Balboa!

What lovely memories for my little one. We will be graduating soon and so sad to leave. Teachers ,…read morestaff and Principal are caring and genuinely want your child to succeed. The school grounds are always beautifully cleaned. The PTA is amazing and make sure that fun activities are always available for the kids and family. Any issue you may have is brought up and handled immediately. Thank you Topeka for such an unforgettable elementary school experience. You will be missed.

No consideration for kids that may learn a little differently. Some teachers (Ms. Reads) are known…read moreto be difficult or unwilling to work with some kids and admin does nothing. If you don't know someone there, you will get stuck with her. Our kids are now in private and excelling very well. Be careful, do your homework and good luck.

The food didn't arrive in time…read more.. All staff are very supportive of students being creative and learning. The school is very artistic, really influences students to develop their artistic interests meanwhile getting the required education they need to graduate high school. All accommodation that students may need are met and supported. The school is very helpful and supporting.

We're glad that our daughter transferred to VIPHS. In her words, "The teachers here actually talk…read moreand teach. Many teachers at my old school just let us watch videos." That made me realize how much teacher-led, paper-and-pen instruction helps students focus and learn. As a transfer student, my daughter was warmly supported by teachers, her advisor, and the staff. The community is small, caring, and dedicated. I also joined a Board of Directors meeting before enrolling and was impressed by the school's organization and forward-thinking leadership. VIPHS reports an 81% college-acceptance rate, compared with under 60% at many nearby public high schools. The average class size is about 20 with a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, versus 30-35 students and ratios in the high 20s elsewhere. VIPHS is a close-knit, welcoming community that genuinely cares for students and prioritizes personal attention and academic excellence. Plus, drop-off and pick-up are so easy, a small but real bonus for families!

Great teachers, they care about their kids and genuinely want them to learn. Very nice campus.read more

The school is a wonderful learning environment. The teachers truly care about their students…read more Small class sizes, engaged administration, and a thoughtful IB curriculum make this school an excellent choice.

Rating is still a 2 or less for Holmes…read more I just wanted to update that my child graduated from SFIAM (a public middle school in San Fernando) with all Bs and loving school. She loved the teachers she said because they listen and connect with students, unlike Holmes. She also was puzzled why Holmes teachers didn't want to help her understand things, just wanted her to fail. My kid hated school and life while at Holmes. She blossomed at another school that fed her soul and mind. I'm a happy mama.

Believe the low reviews. If you value your child's education, and safety, do not send them to the…read moreschool. They do not care, (but they pretend to) All they care about is covering their own butts and pretending to follow policy. Bullying is inevitable and nothing will be done about it. Explains why teachers quit and they are so understaffed. They have zero control over the kids and will not work with parents when addressing serious, concerning issues. It's probably not 100% the school's fault, it's LAUSD for not giving them the staff and resources they need. Which in return is very dangerous for our children. Honestly, the only person that cares about the students genuinely.... the security at the front door. The most genuinely kind, and caring person to students, and their families. But if you don't want your child to be bullied and teachers to be disrespected on a daily basis in front of your child and nothing be done about it, keep looking because this is not it.

I'd like to share my experience from the 2020-2021 school year at Calahan Elementary when my…read moredaughter was in kindergarten with Leslie Levine. While Ms. Levine presents herself as friendly, and I'm sure she's a good person outside the classroom, I feel strongly that her behavior toward young children is not appropriate for a teaching role, especially at the kindergarten level. In our time there, I observed several concerning patterns: * She frequently belittled and humiliated students in front of others. * She singled out certain children, showing clear favoritism. * She would call kids out harshly for mistakes rather than redirecting or guiding them with care. * She lacked patience for age-appropriate behavior, responding with audible sighs or annoyed grunts. * When a child struggled or acted out (as kindergartners often do), she offered little support or redirection, often just frustration. It was heartbreaking to witness, and it deeply affected my daughter's early learning experience. We eventually made the decision to switch schools for her well-being. I don't know what the school environment is like now, but I feel it's important to speak up so other parents can make an informed choice. In my view, Ms. Levine may be better suited to a role that doesn't involve direct work with young children, perhaps in a support or administrative position. This review isn't meant to be hurtful, but honest. I wish someone had shared this with me before we went through it. It was very upsetting for me to expierence this and you really never know what is really going on behind closed doors. I did try to address these concerns directly. I spoke with Ms. Levine during the school year. While she did apologize, it felt more like a formality, nothing changed in her behavior afterward, and the issues continued. There was also a teacher's assistant in the class who started out incredibly kind and gentle with the children. Unfortunately, toward the end of the year, I noticed that even she began to reflect some of Ms. Levine's behavior. It's heartbreaking to see how this kind of environment can influence others. I truly wish more teacher's assistants would feel empowered to speak up when they see things that don't sit right, especially when it involves young children.

please be aware when contacting the school that the administrative assistant Katrina whom is in the…read moreoffice to assist us parents and students. I have had a series of experiences where this woman had made smart remarks towards my child who is 10 years old.

The antidote to hustle culture--for kids AND parents…read more Highland Hall has been transformative for our family. In a world of stress, hurry, and noise, this school pushes back hard. My ECC student is thriving in their play-based program, and I'm equally impressed by what I see in the grades. What stands out: Teachers are genuinely cared for (you can feel it in how they show up) Outdoor learning is central, not an afterthought Learning is experienced through hands, heart, and mind (and truly offline and not through a screen) Warm, open community that walks the talk Upper school students are bright, engaged, and have real relationships with each other Academic excellence through curiosity, not pressure The slower pace in early years is intentional--less rote memorization, more wonder and deep learning. It teaches families that thriving happens through joy and community, not grinding. Don't let tuition stop you from exploring. The financial assistance program is robust and real. Schedule a tour and see if Highland Hall is right for your family. For us, it's been worth every penny.

This school is an absolute dream! The campus is stunning and a completely unexpected find in Los…read moreAngeles. There are acres of woods, gardens, chickens, and beautiful play areas. The preschoolers help make organic homemade snacks, paint, play, and sing. The teachers genuinely care about the children and are invested in their growth and joy. Highland Hall has beautiful traditions (lantern walk, winter faire) with many opportunities for parents to get involved. We became parents during the pandemic and it has been life changing to feel a sense of community.

This parish has a wonderful community about it built from grade school parents, former students,…read moreand locals. Our Lady of Lourdes keeps itself involved and helps parishioners stay active with a plethora of activities from its annual festival to many volunteer opportunities and even a theater company run by parishioners! The church is snug and is not as large as some could hope for, so make sure you arrive for mass on time or little bit early to find seating, especially if you're with a large family.

I love the masses and overall environment. father Mac is homilies are amazing. They encourage…read morerespect among communities and youth ministries.

*sigh* this school... special like Mrs. Radosevich she IS THE MEANEST! she yelled at me when I was…read morein 2nd grade! My brain was still growing bro I made minor mistakes and she said that the real world will be worse (like I'd understand that as a kid) and she made a girl cry and told her "stop acting like a kindergartener" I hope she sees this review so she knows that she made grave mistakes and made some peoples mental health worse. (Other ppl chill I guess other then TA's they mean) oh P.S don't go to nurse office she'll give you a wet paper towel to put on a huge bloody scrape

My child started coming to this school at 3rd grade and within a year and a new principle... the…read morestaff, school, studies and rating for Dearborn Elementary has plummeted dramatically. The school year started with 7 Stars and with down to 5 stars within two years. Wow! I mean wow... my child was going to a rated 9 school previously, yet since we had to move.. this school has been getting worse every day. The teachers don't put in any effort to teaching the children with higher standards. My child's teacher Ms. Izumi keeps the children after school to go over the homework they start in class which is completely unacceptable and unnecessary. Mind you, I have two children under the age of 2 and by the time the teacher lets the kids out... the gate closes and I have to take my children out of the car, go through the front gate to get her out of school. Absolutely horrible! This school does not pay attention to each students progression in any sort. If a student needs extra help in a category... you would have to look into programs they offer "by cost" to have your child with extra help in any subject. At the other school I was taking my child, they would have taken my child out of class and into another to go over what she is lacking in; which would be math in my situation. The school is overpopulated and under staffed. There are 36 students per class, which is completely unacceptable for a learning child to actually learn. Also, my child was being bullied by not one, but two students and no one addressed the problem until I called and spoke to the principle regarding this matter in which the teacher just moved the students around in the class... that did not address my problem. My child hates to go to this school. She dreads waking up every morning and counts the days that she would go on spring break or summer break. A child is suppose to love going to school to learn, not hate to go to school. I fear my child's learning is decreasing and is getting worse which scares me for her future. The district should address this matter and look into the children's learning and desire to want to be in school by making it fun as well, not just send raffles they're doing or collecting money for events and school supplies. I mean by all means, if this school put in effort to my child's learning... I would definitely contribute to their school which I had done for the previous school my child was attending. I do not recommend any parent to bring their children which they would go through much suffering and lack of support in their studies. Rating: F- (Zero Stars if possible)

As both a proud alumna and now a parent I can wholeheartedly say that St. Nicholas School is truly…read moreexceptional. From the moment we drop off our children each morning we feel complete peace knowing they are surrounded by love, care and attentiveness not only from their teachers but also from the administrators, clergy and every member of the school community. The curriculum at St. Nicholas is wonderfully balanced. It is academically rigorous yet filled with a variety of enriching extracurriculars that nurture creativity, leadership and personal growth. The values instilled here go far beyond the classroom shaping confident, compassionate and well rounded children. As someone who once walked these same halls I knew there was no other school I would want my children to attend. The friendships they are forming both among classmates and families are truly lifelong. St. Nicholas School is more than just a place of learning it is a second home and a community built on faith, excellence and love!

I wanted to take a moment to recognize a true hidden gem: St. Nicholas. Our family has had the…read morepleasure of having all three of our children attend this school. Our love for St. Nicholas began about eight years ago when we enrolled our twin daughters at 18 months old, and continued six years later when their little brother joined them. What makes St. Nicholas exceptional starts first and foremost with its community--staff, teachers, and parents alike. Every single person is genuinely invested in the well-being of each child. This isn't just something that's talked about; it's something that's consistently demonstrated. The second major strength is academics. Even at the young age of 18 months, the activities the children engage in are intentionally designed to help them learn and grow. I especially appreciate the early introduction and consistent use of phonics. This foundation has truly helped our children develop strong vocabularies and reading skills. Now, as parents of elementary-aged children, we continue to see the benefits of St. Nicholas's thoughtful academic approach. I greatly appreciate that the school does not over-index on technology as the primary teaching tool. Instead, children are taught essential foundational skills--such as writing, researching, and using glossaries and dictionaries--and then later use technology as a companion, not a substitute. To me, this approach is critical in developing strong critical-thinking skills, which will serve them well throughout life. I also value the principal's leadership, particularly when navigating challenging situations involving student conflicts. Rather than stepping in to resolve issues single-handedly, she partners closely with teachers and empowers them to guide the resolution process. This gives teachers ownership and reinforces a consistent, thoughtful approach to conflict resolution. To round this out with areas for growth, I do wish the school had more playground equipment for younger children, or a slightly larger campus that could accommodate bigger play spaces, such as a field--especially for after-school sports. I would also love to see the return of emotional intelligence courses that were offered a few years ago. Lastly, while I wish there were an easier way for parents to have visibility into homework, I also respect the balance St. Nicholas strikes as children get older--encouraging responsibility, accountability, and natural consequences as part of their learning journey.