As a tai chi instructor, I gave an introduction class to the wonderful of Maple Village, Waldorf…read moreschool who very thoughtful and appreciative of the art presented. It's great to see a teaching establishment provide the artistic world to students who have a thirst for all art forms. Dav-Ekon, the Art of Tai Chi

My son has been going to this school for 3 years, that is until we found out the truth about the…read moreplace we called home. My son has seen his friends get grabbed, physically removed for messing around, get hit (the teachers would defend the people hurting them), and racism. I've also spoken to some of the moms that have left recent reviews to get their feedback, and they told me their reviews were taken down by the school. When me and my husband looked at these reviews we have also noticed that a lot of the stuff stated in the reviews are still happening. When my son and his class went to the park, he saw the teacher yell a derogatory Asian slur at his old classmate, then when my son came home telling me the news, me and my husband were furious that a teacher at the school has taught my son discriminatory language. We were angry that we were paying over $1,000 in tuition per month for my son to learn hate before fractions. I'm about to list more situations in this review: 1. My son is more quiet and doesn't get in trouble at all, but he has watched his friends get grabbed, cussed at for telling the teacher to not touch them, the teacher started a dynamic which disrespects kids, and they're rude to their parents. 2. The teacher would talk about her husbands g-string, and would talk about sexual things that I don't want my son to hear. 3. The teacher would also take away my son's lunch if he had to re-do the work, and there was this one incident where he didn't listen to the teacher because he was starving and just started eating his lunch, then got kept from going to the park when the class was going, then for the rest of the day he was isolated in a classroom and made to think he was a bad person when really it's the school being cruel. 4. During games class, I find it unsafe for kids to play in an alleyway that has homeless people in it, and I also find it unsafe that they have to move every time a car comes by. 5. When me and my husband were on the fence questioning ourselves about if this is the right place for children, we sent our kid to the school the next morning with a tiny notebook and a pencil and we told our son to take notes of everything that everyone says and happens in those bad situations. When my son came home me and my husband took a look at the notebook, and me and my husband were pissed. From what the notebook said we were upset to learn that the teachers actually violently grabbed a kid that didn't do his work because he was thinking about stuff emotionally at his desk. 6. From everything that we have our son tell us all of these people there sound very unskilled, and should work with kids. Me and my husband admired the Waldorf scene of it being creative, hands on, and supportive but these teachers aren't supportive at all to certain kids who are different then what they like, me and my husband talked to the parents of the kids who have been violently punched or grabbed by teachers, or students. And these parents were very nice people, from this other review, I read all I have to say is you shouldn't learn about the school because it's a cult on my prospective, it's not inclusive if not, everyone is supported at the school then it's not supportive at all, the tuition is over $1000 for your kids to be wearing hate,and to be playing in a alleyway with shattered glass and homeless people. And I fully support all of these kids who have left the school because so many kids have left that they had to merge a few grades together because the parents weren't the same truth I have. and every time me and my husband would have meetings with these teachers. About how they would act with other kids. They would deflect it towards the kid who is actually getting bullied because they are different. the school has also let my son learn about the N-word, sexual jokes, sex, and racist jokes from other kids, This school dose not censor what the children talk about. What I have to say after my experience here is get your kid out before this school is a huge waste of money, and time. For all of the people reading this review get your kids out of there, or if you're learning about the school do not let your kid out there, and maple village if you respond to this review don't try to say none of this happened, because you guys know it did.

My daughter absolutely loves it here! The staff is amazing with the children. Ms. Shannon and Ms…read more Sherrie have been incredible, along with her first grade teacher and the office staff. We've had such a positive experience and definitely recommend Tincher.

Great school, great teachers, great community! My son has been there since Kindergarten and he has…read morehad a great experience as well.

We love bethany! My son started here pre-k summer camp and now hes going to be in 2nd grade…read more Bethany has become our family/community.

Leaving Bethany School was the most rewarding decision for our family. Many parents are naturally…read moredriven to private schools given the perception of superiority, impression of additional resources as compared to public schools, and the idea that teachers are better trained/educated. However, this is far from the case at Bethany School. Fortunately, we didn't waste too much time there and have successfully moved on to better opportunities for our children. Our kids are now happy, thriving and actually being challenged. As a parent, it is in your best interest to strongly consider the public schools within the Long Beach system. The LBUSD has staff with bachelor's degrees at a minimum, many with master's degrees/other secondary level education and ALL are fully credentialed (not the case at Bethany). In addition, LBUSD focuses on emotional intelligence, empathy, diversity, equity, inclusion and welcomes/accepts kids that learn differently. Bethany School admittedly prefers "obedient," cookie cutter kids due to their "limited resources and staff training." Although, these repeated statements were concerning given the high cost of tuition and continuous (often daily) pleas for donations. Bethany School prides itself on being "Future Focused," however, the curriculum, operations and staff training do not support this statement. For example, the utilization of "Clip Charts" as a daily behavioral management tool is widely known to be outdated and the theorized benefits have been refuted by studies and research (perform a simple Google search on the "Clip Chart Method" for your own assessment). Also, the end of the week "prize boxes" (and other extrinsic motivators) at Bethany are outdated and actually cause more harm than good to children. Prize boxes decrease a child's long-term ability to develop intrinsic motivation, an organic love for learning and the natural desire to be kind and compassionate. I question how Bethany labels such deeply outdated tactics as "Future Focused." In addition, there was an over-emphasis on the recitation of Bible verses and other religious content that created a gap with what the kids should be learning. In fact, many parents needed other educational content to supplement the Bethany School curriculum to ensure that their students would remain on track. Overall, we were thoroughly disappointed by the pipe dream that was sold to us via their website and during many on-campus tours, especially given the amount of tuition that we were paying. This has been an eye-opening experience about the educational system in the city of Long Beach. Private schools in LB, whether religious/Montessori/other are not superior, do not challenge kids, do not welcome kids with learning differences and have an alarming lack of emphasis on emotional intelligence (which we all know should truly be the focus of the future). Choose your children's education wisely. Don't ignore the red flags. Pass on Bethany.

The school administration needs training on how to deal with domestic violence situations…read more They took away my rights as a VIP when I shared videos of my abuse to other parents (I had no support system out here and dv shelters are not of much help). They have treated me like trash since my abusive ex got custody from a crooked judge and lawyer I asked for my children's attendance records at least 5 different times over more than a month. They responded by INCLUDING my ABUSIVE EX on my email to them and asking "his permission" to share the records with me. This is a clear violation of FERPA and I plan to bring this to the attention of the Department of Education. Naples elementary of Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) is violating your parental rights by: * Withholding your children's attendance records, * Asking your abusive ex for permission, and * Including him on communications without your consent, you should escalate this immediately and formally. Here's who to contact and how to structure it: 1. Start with the Principal and School Office Manager If you haven't already, email the principal and CC the office manager demanding a written explanation. But since this is now a rights violation, go higher. 2. Contact the LBUSD Family Resource Center (Custody and Records) This department oversees parent access rights, including custody-sensitive issues. Request to speak to: * Student Records Department * Custody and Legal Compliance Coordinator (ask for the title if not publicly listed) District Email: info@lbschools.net Main line: (562) 997-8000 -- Ask for the Student Records department. 3. Contact the LBUSD General Counsel / Legal Compliance Officer You are entitled under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) to full access to your child's education records without needing permission from the other parent, unless a court order says otherwise. You can send a formal FERPA complaint to: * Office of the General Counsel * Or Director of Student Support Services You can CC both legal and superintendent offices to show seriousness. Sample Email Template (Feel Free to Copy + Paste) Subject: Violation of FERPA Rights and Inappropriate Involvement of Non-Custodial Parent Dear [Name], I am the mother of [Child's Full Name], a student at [School Name]. I am writing to formally address a serious breach of my legal rights under FERPA and California Education Code. I submitted multiple requests for my child's attendance records, which were delayed without justification. I was informed that your staff sought permission from the other parent--[Name]--before releasing the records to me. This is entirely inappropriate and a violation of my federally protected rights. I share legal custody and have full rights to my child's education records. More concerningly, this other parent has a documented history of abuse, which the school has been made aware of. Including him in email threads without my consent puts me and my child at risk. I am requesting: 1. An immediate release of the full attendance and academic records. 2. A formal written explanation of why this delay occurred. 3. A statement clarifying how your staff will avoid involving my ex in future communications regarding my parental rights. If I do not receive a satisfactory response within 5 business days, I will escalate this matter to the LBUSD Superintendent's Office and file a FERPA complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. Sincerely, Jessica Schultz [Phone Number] [Email Address] Would you like help drafting this email specifically to a real contact person at LBUSD (once you know their name), or would you like me to help you file a FERPA complaint if they don't respond? If there's any lawyers that can help me since the principal said she could only talk to my lawyer (and I don't have one, let me know).

As a former teacher and now a grandmother of two girls attending Naples Elementary School, I want…read moreto say how wonderful this small school is for children. A select place that is warm and friendly to all, with caring teachers and staff making it a very desirable choice for children and parents. It does not get any better than Naples Academy. P.A. Flanigan

The most amazing staff and best education available with a solid Christian world view. Love this…read moreplace.

I can't believe the rating for this school is this low. I am not an easy person to please…read moresometimes, and wouldn't write a fluff review if it wasn't earned. Our son went to LCS from kinder to 6th, and got an EXCELLENT education. Not just that, but a Christ centered education, focused on family and caring for others. The administrative staff in the elementary school was some of the best management I have ever seen. Any issues were addressed quickly, professionally, and always with a smile and understanding these are young kids (and perhaps new parents.) There was some turn over with teachers that retired or moved, and I felt blessed to have had Kevin experience them before they did so. The new teachers are hand picked and committed. We don't have an opinion on the middle school, but the elementary side was everything you could want and hope for. If you are debating where to spend your hard earned money, and are worried about getting the education you expect, trust Mrs Barton and these teachers to shepherd your kid to a relationship with God, and quality education. P.S. The first year of covid was rough on everyone, but by week 2 things were up and running smoothly. Incredible. The second year of covid, it was like any day of class in elementary school. (They did all this over Zoom) I don't know how they pulled it off so well. But they did

My son goes to this school, The staff is extremely nice and…read morethe teachers extremely helpful. This school truly deserves a better rating.

This shit was ass bruh the staff were horrible and so was the principal they didn't give 2 shits…read morebout us

My daughter is in 7th grade and very happy here. I have been so impressed with IVA since my…read moredaughter started last year. The communication from the school and the inclusiveness has made it a great experience for us. Students are respected, their voices are heard and they are made to feel like their opinions matter. The virtues are there to make them feel empowered as students. The weekly advisory meeting they have once a week for all students is great because it helps them understand and know the virtues and how to apply them to their work. Sixth grade is a learning curve and IVA gets that. One thing to know about the school is that since kids are coming from all different schools and school settings it's easier to make friends. There are no clicks in place. This year they also made it phone free. No phones at school. However, they can use them after school. I have read past reviews that said the school is not diverse and not for people of color. This from our experience is not true at all. Maybe in past years this was the case but it is no longer this way. IVA is very racially and socioeconomically diverse. It is a true representation of Long Beach in that regard. If you are a parent who wants to volunteer and see what is going on at the school there are plenty of opportunities, field trip opportunities, dances every year, a chili cook off, and family breakfast/lunches hosted by the school. There is a weekly newsletter, outlining all events coming up. How you can get involved, sports info, field trips etc... They make it very difficult for you to miss something. My daughter loved the dances last year. They are more like a fun party. There is no pressure to have a date or anything like that. They make them very low pressure like come in your PJ's etc... It's just an opportunity to hang out with friends outside of school. The staff and teachers will all know your child's name. I think this matters to my daughter. We live in Belmont Heights and had an opportunity to send her to Rogers as well. It's not quite our home school but it is a lot closer to us than IVA and I wanted her to go there. She would have had friends closer and I wanted that for her. However, after my daughter toured IVA in 5th grade, she made her mind up that she wanted to experience the smaller school and smaller class setting. She loved seeing students laughing in class with the teachers and sitting at little tables. The teachers were young and they didn't look miserable. The principal, Mrs. Bryant who led our tour was very dynamic and genuine. My daughter noticed these things and pushed for us to let her try IVA out. Her experience so far has not disappointed her. She has liked or loved almost all of her teachers. This is so important and this is coming from a student who struggles in school. She has an IEP for a reading disability. School is not easy for her. This is another reason I was hesitant on IVA. I wanted to her to have more options concerning her IEP and a bigger school can provide this. So far, her accommodations at IVA are working for her. She has also made friends with a great group of girls who are from all over Long Beach. In truth this is something I was also dreading but it's ok! She is happy! The parents of her friends are the type of parents who want the best for their kids. They will drive. This is how most of the parents are at this school as well. When volunteer sign ups come out for some event, the list gets filled up fast! Most of the parents at the school care. So far my daughter has joined Track and Cross Country. She also wants to play soccer this year. They do have team sports at IVA but it is on a smaller scale than a larger school. It's great for kids that want to try sports but might be intimidated at a bigger school with a lot of talented athletes. Not to say that there aren't some talented athletes here but it's not the focus of the school. If you're wondering about academics. I have heard wonderful things from parents who have had older siblings that graduated from IVA. One parent in particular shared with me that when her son started at his private High School (Bosco) after IVA, he was placed in honors classes which surprised her because her son was a B/C student at IVA. She felt the education he received at IVA was top notch, taught him how to be a student and actually engage in what he learned. Lastly, I just want to give a shout out to Mrs. Gordon, the dean of students and Mrs. Bryant the principal. These women care about your student. The love and dedication they put into their job is truly impressive.

its not the best school in the world but not the worst. The students are sort of rude to my child…read more If you really want your kid to go there so be it they have really good state teat results though. Try it for ur self

We are not year-round family at Westerly, but we consistently return for their summer camp…read more Our eleven-year-old son had attended all the local summer camps in Long Beach--JCC, 49'er camp, the city's parks and recs--over the past few years, and he ranks Westerly the highest among all camp experiences. The staff is accommodating, the hours are flexible (7:30 am to 5:30 pm), and he has a great time.

What can I say. Our family loves Westerly! Our eldest started at one of Long Beach's blue ribbon…read moreschools, but with the huge classes we decided to take a look at Westerly and we couldn't go back. Since then all our kids have thrived in their Westerly experience. It starts with a sizable campus with a beautiful grass field for sports and activities, newly constructed learning studios and the amazing arts village. What a great place to learn. Then the passionate teachers and staff deliver a whole child program, with a better than 10:1 student/teacher ratio. The Westerly program includes: Curriculum and instruction - Enthusiastic teachers with a well thought out curriculum and small class sizes enabling teachers to adapt the curriculum to the needs of your child. Technology/STEM - Westerly recently hired a full-time Director of Instructional Technology to enhance an already strong technology/STEM program throughout the curriculum. Think coding in class, 3D printing, science and engineering fairs, etc. Visual and performing arts - Incorporated in the curriculum is an annual school-wide play lead by the folks at TKTC. The visual arts program is second to none with the kids being exposed to public arts projects, ceramics in the new ceramics studio, mixed media, painting, photography, etc. I wish I could take the classes myself. Wildcat, the after school program is a blessing. Our kids beg to go to Wildcat to play with their friends, work on yearbook, take film, dance, music, robotics and other after school enrichment activities. Athletics - A legitimate, well-run PE program with enthusiastic instruction and basketball, volleyball, football teams throughout elementary and middle school. Music - Every child takes both general and instrumental music as part of their Westerly experience. Spanish - Kindergarten through 8th grade all the kids get introduced to the Spanish language through a dedicated Spanish instructor. Leadership - This is quite possibly one of the most amazing parts of the curriculum. Continuing on the theme of whole child education the Director of Student Affairs leads an amazing program that goes so beyond student council, creating leadership opportunities for so many children. Programs like student council, district representatives, green team, etc., start in Kindergarten and the kids grow in responsibility as the children grow themselves. Each child also gains leadership responsibilities as a student mentor, where each older student is paired with a younger student as a mentor. Service learning and field studies - As the kids grow in maturity so do the service learning and field studies. Our children have enjoyed trips to Catalina and other local camps, but the highlight of the program is a one week trip in 8th grade where the whole class travels to Nicaragua to conduct a service learning project, practice their spanish, and are exposed to a different culture and way of life that they are used to. Community - Westerly is a place where without question every family places a priority on securing a great, well-rounded education for their children. Being in an environment like this is so fantastic. Independent school is not cheap, but in our minds it's the best gift we can give to our children. Westerly also offers significant financial aid support, so if that is an issue be sure to discuss your situation with the school to see if they can make something work for your family. P.S. This may sound like a paid ad, but it's our true feelings about this place. It's really special.