We had just moved to LA, and I was looking for something special. Luckily, I heard from a friend…read morewho was in education to check out Muse. Besides the gorgeous campus in the Santa Monica Mountains, the thing that sold me on Muse during my visit, was none of the adults were talking down to the students, they seemed liked equals. Students are active in their education and we especially love that they choose a passion project every semester to focus on a subject of their choice. I really love the staff at Muse. Not only are the teachers stellar and extremely qualified, they are kind and inspiring leaders. My kids couldn't be happier. They bring home plants. They have their own gardens at school and eat plant based meals for lunch every day. They have amazing friends and love playing sports and performing in the school plays. We couldn't be happier with Muse and it keeps getting better! This is our 5th year!

Our daughter is happy, healthy and passionately engaged at Muse. We couldn't be more delighted…read more Staff have been supportive, and willing to go the extra mile. And I've liked all the parents I've met! Also, the campus is in a beautiful canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains, just north of Malibu. Students walk thru' nature when going from building to building. It's a great education, but within this uniquely calming, natural setting.

I got the privilege to run the track here once for the PDQ. This is a nice campus. They also host…read morechurch here, I think its Episcopalian or something. Not one of the new age Christian denominations is all I remember, not Methodist or what have you. I didnt attend but its there. Lucky students who end up in this school district. I thought my private high school was nice but not compared to this at all.

Fire experience, crazy flics, multiple stories, rooms, buildings, great food for school food, cool…read moreppl.

I attended Crossroads for six years and graduated in 2004. These were some of the best years of my…read morelife. I grew immensely as a person, expanded my horizons, learned from some of the best and most engaged teachers, and made lifelong friendships. Crossroads has some amazing programs such as Classics, Keck Math/Science Institute, and Drama. The class sizes are small, but the student body is large enough to encounter a wide variety of different people. The teachers I had were absolutely incredible, and there was something to take away from every lesson (which mostly felt more like a discussion than simple rote learning). There are very few decisions that we don't regret in our lives, but I have to say that my decision to attend Crossroads is one that I hold with absolutely no regrets at all.

Incredible school. The student body is so tight knit and the teachers truly care about what they're…read moreteaching. Truly a remarkable community, could not more highly recommend it.

Did a group lesson and 3 people and it was so fun! I knew nothing about surfing and the other 2 had…read moresome experience. Matty and Luke were great! They were both very calm and fun throughout the whole lesson and adapted to everyone's level. Luke expressed that he likes to talk/teach a lot and gauged our comfort with receiving all of the information. Personally, I loved it and wanted to absorb all the tidbits he had to share. He was very open to questions and repeating himself if I needed him to. I honestly learned so much about the ocean and surfing. I went from very clueless and lowkey scared of the ocean LOL to comfortable and excited to head back out. Would totally recommend :)

Setting up the lesson couldn't have been easier. But once we arrived, Chad Bonsack was phenomenal…read more My son had been to summer surf camps the last two years so after an assessment, he was able to spend most of the lesson in the water. With Chad's expert instruction, I saw my son paddle out and catch more waves than he ever has. It was the kind of experience that makes a kid want to invest time and energy. Can't wait for my son to continue.‍

We could not be happier with our experience at Saint Monica Preparatory for TK! From the very…read morebeginning, the transition from preschool to a brand-new school was seamless thanks to the incredible staff. Ms. Stickley and Ms. Lagos are absolute dream teachers--warm, attentive, and so gifted at creating a joyful classroom. Our daughter comes home every day happy, tired (in the best way!), and singing new songs she's learned. The program is so thoughtfully structured, including Art, Music, Spanish, and PE. Our daughter especially loves going into the designated classrooms for each subject, which makes learning feel special and exciting. In addition to a strong focus on early writing and reading, the teachers are very intentional about supporting social and emotional growth, which has been just as important for us as academics. The support staff make such a difference too. Early care with Ms. Christian is filled with fun and kindness, which gives us so much peace of mind in the mornings. After Care is run by a fantastic outside company on campus, and our daughter has such a great time she often doesn't want to leave--which is a gift for working parents. We are so thankful to have found SMPrep. It's a school that not only builds a love for learning but also fosters a warm, caring community for both kids and families.

My son has attending SMCHS for 4 years and had the best experience. The teachers were kind and…read moreattentive. The administration is thoughtful and they actually listen when concerns come up. They listen to parents and teachers and are willing to make changes if needed. Performing arts is a highlight of this school. This school has been a second family for us and we are proud to have been part of the family.

I can't comment on the school, but we have enjoyed a few concerts there at the Moss Theater, the…read morenew home for the Jazz Bakery. I love this theater. It's not too large, and the visibility from the seats enables you to easily see the stage. I always bring binoculars, so I can really see the performers sweat and their range of emotion. Last night, we had the privilege of watching Russell Malone and his quartet perform there. I brought my binoculars although we were sitting in the second row. From there, you could see the nuances of every song. The acoustics are good in this place, and the seats are very comfortable. My only criticism, is that I wish they had more places to sit while you are waiting to go into the theater. Because it is open seating, many people get there well ahead of the start time. A few more benches would be appreciated for those of us who don't like standing too long. Ruth Price does a wonderful job executing these events. She has the vibrancy and energy of a 20-year-old. It is admirable!

Inside the Spectrum Program: What They Don't Want You to Know…read more To the parents of New Roads School, I'm writing this because no one else will. Not the smiling admissions staff. Not the polished emails. Not the teachers who know something's wrong but look the other way. This isn't easy to say--but it needs to be said. Because what's happening in the Spectrum program is not care. It's not support. It's quiet, systematic harm dressed up as help. And it broke me in ways I'm still trying to undo. In middle school, I was diagnosed with autism. When I got into New Roads, I was placed in Spectrum. My family was told it was a safe space--a nurturing environment tailored for students like me. I believed them. I wanted to believe them. But not long after I started, I was re-evaluated. Turns out, I wasn't autistic after all. But that didn't matter. By then, I was already locked in--trapped under Elisa Schultz's watch. Once you're in, Spectrum doesn't let go. You don't "exit" the program--you disappear into it. It wraps itself around your life and convinces you that you need it, even when all it's doing is making you smaller. At first, I tried to play along. I was named grade-level ambassador. I met with new families. I made speeches. I wanted to believe I was helping build something good. But eventually, I did what Elisa can't stand--I told the truth. I started asking questions. I stood up for students who felt powerless. I spoke too loudly, too clearly. So they got rid of me. I was replaced quietly, like I'd become an inconvenience. But the worst moment came later--when a classmate I cared about came to me in tears. Elisa had called her a disgusting, sexist name--something that would get anyone else fired. We made the decision to speak out. And the moment we started talking, five staff members closed in on us. Not figuratively. They surrounded us. Physically. Like security guards. They told her it never happened. Over and over, until her hands were shaking and she started questioning her own memory. I stood there watching someone I admired unravel in real time. And I knew: this wasn't a "program." This was something darker. During COVID, I had a bad allergy flare-up. I stepped out of class to blow my nose in the hallway because I didn't want to disturb anyone. The Tesla classroom was right next to the bathroom. I wasn't sneaking off. I wasn't doing anything wrong. Elisa exploded. She screamed at me in front of everyone. Berated me for not blowing my nose in front of the class. As if I had broken some sacred, unspoken rule. I was embarrassed. I was sick. I was trying to handle my body and my space with some dignity--and she crushed that in one moment. No kindness. No understanding. Just public shame. What kind of "support program" does that? Spectrum charges over $13,000 a year on top of tuition. That money doesn't go toward student wellbeing. It goes toward building a system that punishes independence and feeds on fear. They don't care if you were misdiagnosed. They don't care if it's hurting you. They care about keeping your family's money. And your silence. There are others like me. I've spoken to six students--at least--who had stories like mine. Some gave me permission to speak. Most are too scared. That should tell you everything. Parents, you're being sold a lie. And it's packaged beautifully--with buzzwords, learning plans, and emotional jargon. But behind the curtain is something toxic. Something I wouldn't wish on anyone. Ask the questions they don't want you to ask. And when they try to talk around it, listen to what they're avoiding. This program nearly broke me. I'm writing this because I refuse to let it keep breaking people in silence. - A former Spectrum student who refuses to stay quiet

My experience was actually horrible I had a third grade teacher named Lily Chang but everybody…read morecalled her Ms Chang she would purposely not give me food in the mornings always had a rude attitude and never let me participate in any birthday parties and made me watch students eat cupcakes on their parties while I'm the only student without one and mind you this school allows bullying and let any bad kid get a pass and cuss I also had a teacher ms Rodriguez who wouldn't do anything but cry shows you how shitty this school truly is a lot of kids would leave the school because of the bullying that nobody did nothing about I had to write this review because I'm older and this part of my school life was fucked up if I were to come in today I would walk up to ms chang and say fuck you bitch for being a shitty teacher she couldve got in trouble for not feeding a kid in the third grade

I went to this school and it was a fantastic school and teachers care and help u all the time the…read moreprincipal super nice and respectful, he's just amazing I am really sad because I want to keep going to that school, but sadly I can't, but it is an amazing school I used to have a bad grade and by the end of the year I had a 4 and it is crazy I went to a 1 to a 4

Pacifica has been an incredible blessing for our family. Our daughter, Alandra, attended for four…read moreyears, and it provided exceptional preparation for her transition to college. She is currently attending the business school at Cal Poly SLO, where she has joined the Alpha Phi sorority and earned a place on the Dean's List after her first two quarters. Beyond academic rigor, Pacifica equipped her with critical thinking skills and the ability to engage with life's "big questions." Most importantly, the school fostered a daily environment where she could grow in her faith; she has Jesus in her life and continues to lean on His love. Her time at Pacifica also allowed her to participate in basketball, volleyball, and tennis, where she truly discovered her grit on the court. We found the philosophy curriculum to be particularly unique, as it addresses questions that apply more to adulthood and life than just the classroom. Pacifica is truly a spiritual oasis in the secular desert of Santa Monica. The leadership at the school is outstanding. We deeply appreciated the periodic check-ins from Headmaster Jim Knight and the dedicated involvement of the teachers and administrators. We are also thrilled to see the recent campus expansion and the growth of the student body. Thank God for Pacifica.

At the time of this review, our daughter is in the second semester of her freshman year, and our…read morePacifica experience and energy has yet to wane. From our initial introductions to the hand-delivered acceptance packages, from the teacher and staff commitment to the inspired and welcoming students, the parental connections, the events, Pacifica Christian engages at the highest level which creates an atmosphere where success extends beyond the classroom. However, make no mistake, the academics are second to none. It has been a blessing to watch our daughter thrive as she has found her tribe, grown as a young woman of God, excelled in the classroom and on the tennis courts, but maybe most importantly, learned to understand her purpose and direction as she matures. Salute to Jim Knight and the entire Pacifica family. c/o 2029

Our favorite school!!! Great teachers and what a strong community. So glad we became part of it!read more

Our 15 year old is a rising junior at Pali High. Everyone in our family loves this school. It's…read morepretty big, but that's a good thing, because it allows for competitive sports teams and school clubs and an AMAZING drama department. Every year Pali High has kids get accepted at every kind of university including the most elite. The school offers great electives and also many AP classes (which are high caliber but also entail a large quantity of work and so should be taken in moderation). Go Pali!

Almost had a heat stroke and threw up but when I went to tell the attendance office the assistant…read moreprincipal sent me to class (which was PE) with no questions while my face was pink and sweating. All the other staff cared and tried to help except Ms. khellahar

Well you see in my experience this school was ok as there are some aspects to it that make it good…read morebut also make it bad. For starters something that makes it good is that the security guards actually look like good security gaurds. Most of them are pretty chill especially the one that hangs around mr Underwood's class during pe. How ever some teachers such as MS KELLEHER, she is so arrogant and thinks so much higher of herself then everyone else. Once I saw a kid who was just minding his businesss but then Ms kelleher came and told him that he had lunch detention for not picking up his trash even though it was cllearly someone elses. In total the school is ok at best but Ms kelleher brings down the rating a lot.