I'm going to be very biased here because this was my junior high/middle school back in 1996-1998…read moreand I live across the street from here. It's hard to list all the events and personal development that went on here, but I can pretty much say that I met some of my best friends to this day here. The teaching staff was great looking back. I know certain teachers are probably still there as I see some of them as I pass by everyday on 166th Street (referring to Mr. Watson for algebra). I was in school at a point in its transition from Carmenita Junior High School to Carmenita Middle School. Computers were starting to take hold, and using sources like MS Encarta was considered highly advanced. It wasn't until I started going to seventh grade here did I make the full shift from typewriter to MS Word for those essays and seeing the convenience and accuracy of having a PC. I remember passing by this school when I was really young (like age 5-10) never thinking that I would ever go here, partly because I did not understand the whole enrollment process after elementary school. At that time, the cougar on the school's auditorium was fading after not having been repainted for nearly 30 years. (It's since been repainted). This school is also a distinguished school, apparently after I and my graduating class set a high standard and paved the way for an easy victory for the people who came after. This school is old. And by old, I mean literally 100 years old. The lockers are old and rusty. There is one quirky part of this school in that the "main" entrance faced Carmenita but was blocked off an off limits for students at the time (the "C Building" we called it). Most people entered in through 166th Street. The computer room was the only part of the C Building that was accessible by students, otherwise the doors to the hallways were locked. One was able to peer in and see 1930s style desks and design elements inside and gathering dust. In fact, the signage to this day is the same art deco 1930s style facing Carmenita Road. Lots of history here in retrospect.

Good school but the teachers are bad. Mrs Kenyon took my phone away because I was texting my mom…read moreafter school. Safety is their "number one priority" but I can't text my mom saying I'm safe? damn the hypocrisy.

Whitney High is a great school with great food! I love attending here and I will continue to do so!read more

As a current student, I would like to honestly say that Whitney is not that great. Yes, Whitney…read moreboasts the title of "6th best school in the nation" but this is just a title that was achieved from its brilliant students, not the school itself. I have been constantly frustrated at Whitney's limitations- how they do not provide you opportunities and how they do not let you bring about change. They only offer the basic required curriculum. I don't get a chance to even choose the classes I want. My friends have been forced to drop their art class, language class, sports-simply because they "do not have space" or there is no other class available. They also do not offer other classes- they've dropped so many classes. Some teachers are okay, some others are... not the best. A few do not even bother to teach well. There is a lot of rigor which is good for the students, but most of the time, the rigor is unnecessary. The school has fundraisers and receives donations. Where has all this money gone? To classes for the students? To improving the campus? No, they've all gone to the public multimedia center. It's great-sleek, shiny computers and a stage with fancy lights. However, our bathrooms still have broken locks and not enough soap or paper towels. And, of course, not a variety of classes to choose from. I really do love the people here. Everyone is friendly and inviting- teachers and students. We are a tight-knit community who get to know each other and build memories together. The school, though, is disappointing.

there are so many things wrong with this school, where can I even start…read more. 1. Safety. There are SO much fights at this school, I can't even count. Once during the first semester there were maybe 3-4 fights in one week, almost 2 in a day once. It was so bad for about 2 days we weren't allowed to move lunch tables or get up out of our seats at lunch. Not to mention there are multiple gang members at this school. As im writing this, there was almost a fight yesterday and a fight INSIDE A CLASSROOM 2 weeks ago. 2. Staff. Where do I even begin..... The staff is rude to students. If you have any concerns, I'd recommend talking to the vice principal Mr Mcleoud as he is the nicest and most understanding staff member on campus. The principal is rude and treats the school like a prison. She is sooo rude to students, and people are scared of her as she targets random kids for no reason to say something to when they aren't doing anything. There are no backpacks allowed on campus which causes students stuff to get stolen, such as chromebooks and more. When you ask them to look at the cameras so you don't have to pay a $400 fee to replace your Chromebook that was stolen, they don't listen and never cooperate with you. The staff in the office is rude sometimes except for one nice lady. Most of the teachers don't teach at all, and ms Kaiser hates children and teaches like the principal from the movie Matilda. The only teachers that genuinely teach and are good at what they do is Mr Courdy and Ms Sollecito. Not to mention basically none of the teachers respond to emails when you or a parent have questions or concerns. If you are looking for a middle school to put your child in, tetzlaff is NOT the one, coming from a student.

The school doesn't care if children get bullied. My child has been getting bullied by a former…read morefriend and they have taken interviews about the incidents but they do nothing. The other child is abused at home and is taking it out at school with my child and other children.

The Teachers and staff are incredible. So much love and support! It's the best money we spend in…read moreour kiddos.

Is Valley a Christian school in name only?…read more If you are thinking about placing your child here, I can give you some insight. My wife and I were so green her freshman year. I could barely contain my excitement. Giving our daughter the gift of a private school education seemed out of reach, but Valley was accommodating. We made it happen, and that year was epic! My daughter played four sports and did really well in all of them. She finished with a 3.9 GPA, and we could not have been happier. Then, prior to classes starting sophomore year, at the girls' volleyball tryouts, we encountered something that we had only heard about and, transparently, did not believe existed: The Dutch Mafia! A quick history lesson: Valley was founded in 1935, and its historical ties trace back to Dutch immigrant communities in the local area (like Bellflower and Cerritos) who established it as a Reformed Christian day school. Some of the families who founded the school are still there--hence the term "Dutch Mafia." Now, back to the volleyball tryouts. There are a lot of details that could tell the story, but to keep an already long review a bit shorter, I will say this: based on how they separated the girls, we knew who was going to make which team. To say it was NOT based on ability, skill, or team needs is an understatement. I couldn't believe what was happening, but I should have known what was to come because of a foreshadowing incident during freshman season. Our starting libero was taken out in the middle of a game and had to give her jersey to the backup--not because she was playing badly or missing balls, but because the backup's mother complained to the head coach that her daughter wasn't getting playing time. That player's mother is a teacher at Valley, and our starter never went back into the game. When the team lists were emailed out, we understood what was happening. Returning players and incoming freshmen who were related to staff and coaches were placed on Varsity, even though they frankly were not that good. Girls who had been in the program since freshman year were not even given roster spots because they were seniors, and Varsity was the only option for them. I did the math after the lists came out: 44% of the available positions were given to freshman players. So, the incoming "Dutch" girls were so good that they took up almost half the roster spots across all three teams? Not likely. There was also some controversy that ended up getting the Varsity head coach, Jeff Ornee, unfairly dismissed. I found out later that the loudest voice calling for his termination was the coach who took over sophomore year. She completely destroyed the program with team selections based on clear nepotism and favoritism. She is a teacher at the school, by the way, and did such a horrible job that she quit, leading to another teacher taking over. I had high hopes, but the current coach is even worse. My daughter was placed on the frosh/soph team for her first two years and JV her junior year. She didn't make the Varsity team her senior year, and by now, you know why. By that time, she was completely burnt out on volleyball and having breakdowns, feeling like she wasn't good enough. Thankfully, she transitioned to an uncoveted sport (track & field) and no longer wanted to play volleyball for Valley or her club team. Our story is uniquely ours, but I can tell you that it is not the only one, and by far not the worst. I have firsthand knowledge of others, but those stories are not mine to tell. I would like to say that the teachers, security, and staff working behind the front desk at Valley Christian School were some of the sweetest and kindest people I've met. This review is not a reflection of them, their hard work, or their good hearts. Valley has some awesome traditions (Christmas time is epic), and if you choose to send your child here, they will receive a top-notch education and awesome Christian experiences--as long as they don't play one of the coveted sports.

Everyday, I have flashbacks of bits and pieces of Mr. Kim's teachings and his stories. It seems…read morewhatever I learned in alpha is engraved into my head and is the foundation that powers how a think. Honestly, I didn't care much about the SATs until my senior year. I went to the classes to hear his life lessons. As I begin my independent life, I will cherish what I learned from Alpha and use them to my advantage. I feel very fortunate that my parents were able to send me to alpha for many years for me to have this education.

Attending Alpha Leadership Academy, I have learned about my weaknesses and strengths. The academy…read morehas taught me to progress by being able to accept my weaknesses and flaws. In order to become a better leader and to work better with others, I have discovered my qualities and strengths. I have also come to see how our society should always be able to perform best by discovering the talent of each individual and implementing each talent in the right field. By finding out my individual talents as well as others' talents, I have come to accept that people are different, and by utilizing these talents in the right areas create a more efficient and beneficial atmosphere.

I knew Mr. Walker at Cerritos High was biased but I didn't know he was homophobic as well. I just…read moreheard that unfortunately Mr. Walker didn't want their openly gay film teacher to come back next year because he and other older teachers and parents say his lifestyle isn't the "Cerritos way". My husband met the teacher during one of the back to school nights and my daughter talked highly about him. The students loved him and my husband said he was so kind and knowledgeable about his students and the class he taught.

If I can give them a zero I would. Like Rocky B. Said they give you the run around. School started…read morealmost a month ago...that's when I turned in all the required papers so I can transfer my child to LBUSD.....I'm still waiting. So unprofessional telling me that people wait 3 weeks or more just for a inter district transfer be approved. Are you kidding me? My child can already be accepted to the LBUSD school we chose because I spoke to that principal but since they won't release him I can't. I've been calling them and I keep getting the same excuse that either the person signing is in a "meeting" or he's signing a lot of it... we'll call you. Really???? This district gives an air like we should be honored to be here...very pretentious. Update: I requested the transfer in the beginning of the school year which is a little over a month ago. Now October 9. Still no "call" from the great ABCUSD. I just want to mention that I was not rude to the employees and they were not either....I don't want you to think they're doing this on purpose. I just feel they give people a hard time to transfer out because the district will lose money for every child that transfers out.

The best school Ever! The Principal is very friendly and helpful. The is a well managed school…read more Above and beyond our expectations. Teachers always thrive to get the best out of every student. The school is very open to parent ideas and involvement which I believe is why it excels in many ways. If any student is weak there will be afterschool extra classes without asking. We love all the events that take place like talent shows, cultural events, Olympics, excursions, theater, going to see movies and historic places, you name it. My kids love this school. It has a great Robotic program during school and afterschool. We participated in competitions and won awards for the school. Love the school's interest in Fine arts, digital arts and dance too. It happens during school and afterschool. Programs change from time to time.... But during the years at this school you will get to do it all!

Great school! Small grounds but they have quality staff and educators.read more