Wow, I am blown away by the number of negative comments about this school. I will say, however,…read morethat I was apprehensive enrolling my second child to Hale for 7th grade because of all the craziness that went on, but honestly, that is a reflection of the parents who send their kids there, and I am a firm believer that education starts at home. There are way too many misinformed families blowing things out of proportion all on the account and hear-say of your children. How about the triplets from hell? How is that the school's fault? According to my girlfriends, administration did the best they can, yet it was a pushy mother that insisted they can do no harm. Did I mention it's a public school? Bad things will happen at any public school, and if you're a good parent, you'd teach your child to stay away from those kinds of students, and those forms of peer-pressure.
Both of my children did not do STEAM or the new VAPA Academy, but they were in a few accelerated or honors classes, and they're fine. Encourage your child to be around good kids, volunteer, and show up for your kids' activities, and you'll realize that Hale really is the gem of the Valley. The teachers work hard at Hale, but they're up against really disrespectful kids who do not belong there to begin with who are most likely lottery acceptance students who take their seat at Hale for granted. Administration has their hands tied when it comes to discipline, and there's only so much they can do. Their due-process gives students several chances to get it right, but the lack of parenting only puts a magnifying glass over the bad apples. Don't even start with me and tell me that parenting is hard. YES IT'S HARD, BUT IT'S A COMMITMENT.
Electives - electives is where it's at at Hale. The orchestra program under Mr. Cruz is something else. My daughter (the younger of my two children) did 3 years of orchestra with Mr. Cruz. It also did not surprise me that Mr. Cruz was awarded the 2024 Southern California Music Educator of the year. Mr. Cruz is known for being strict. He has high expectations, and his groups sound miles better than many of the LAUSD high schools and neighboring district school bands at LVUSD. I love how he says he's not about winning first place or gold, but in the end all of his band and orchestra classes win something. He focuses on teaching the kids to be a good student first, and a good musician second. My daughter's friend did choir with Mr. Cruz last year and said it was the most amazing singing experience she's ever had. They both laugh about how Mr. Cruz has no choir teaching experience, but he's a wonderful choir teacher. If you want to round off your middle school academic experience with something rigorous and artsy, your child needs to be in one of Mr. Cruz's classes. Nobody in my family is musical or artsy (we're a sports family), and I applaud Mr. Cruz for creating a musician in my family. And although my daughter is no longer pursuing music, Mr. Cruz's stories still get mentioned in the car or at the dinner table every now and then.
A few more positives about Hale: TWO LUNCHES. That was a straight up game changer. My daughter felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders when she saw how empty it is outside during lunch. Ms. Moran, the Restorative Justice teacher is GREAT! Compared to other middle schools who do not even dare give out detentions and consequences, Ms. Moran really lays it down.
Advice for parents: Be a community. Fight for what is right. Educate your child about the negative influences on campus and teach them to stay away from adversaries. Be involved. If your child has a dance show, an orchestra concert, or VAPA night, go to it! If your child has a robotics competition, go to them! It's not difficult, it's your kid, support them.
-SR
