Driving up the foothills in the shadow of the recent bobcat fire, I wondered how safe is the air…read morequality and where is Alverno? Then it appeared two massive iron-rod gate doors which lead to the grounds of this majestic campus. It's what I would assume the mansion of great expectations once was. There are strawberry and oaks trees for acres and a linear koi lily pond. So here the history lesson: it was once a mansion which consumed hundred of acres of land. As time marched on, as it does hundreds of plots of this plantation-Spanish styled looking mansion were sold-off. Creating the adjacent neighborhood of Sierra Madre. Including, a large plot to this now existing school, Alverno. The mansion is host to the girls drama classes and plays: Bravo! I can't speak to the school or the educational quality but as a shooting location it's Ethereal. Such a delight and an endless time capsule of history. The city of Sierra Madre was wonderful and welcoming. And this feature film we are shooting which I can't say much abt, truly will be the stuff of legends.

The high school closed down unfortunately due to poor management. They claim it's declining…read moreenrollment but none of the other high schools are closing down. they took the money in donations and tuition from families who are expecting their girls to be invested in the school. They never let the parents know they were in financial trouble. that was wrong and I don't think the whole story because the new principal now says at public meetings she is going after much younger students because that is where the money is. It's sad when a school has to focus on the their heads giant salaries and not the students once the Covid funding stops. On the plus side it's a very cheap school Unfortunately they have a lot of interest in holding weddings (almost every weekend) and filming (even during school hours) on the campus. I wouldn't want my kids around strangers when they should be getting educated. My nieces enjoyed a good high school 30 years ago. My grandnieces and nephews have not at the new Alverno. Their parents pulled all three kids out. They felt the education was lacking compared to other schools. And are now enrolled in and very happy. The staff seems ill equipped. Some teachers are nice others seem very disgruntled. they really don't seem happy to teach there. It comes across to the children. some teachers are just there because the kids are getting discounted tuition and that doesn't make them qualified either. There is a mentality between those who have which are a lot against those students who have less. So much for Christian teaching The new Alverno is not the school that it use to be. The school require the kids to enroll in a sport so they can claim they have a big sports program. More fees. I find it misleading especially upsetting for kids who have no interest in their team sport but would rather compete in something more individual or that the school doesn't have (like gymnastics). Or in participate in the arts. Every time one turns around there's a fee for something (Jagothon,field trips, fundraiser in school hot dog lunches) so the school isn't as inexpensive as initially thought. They constantly want money for some sport courts. They have lot's of land but lack the accoutrements a proper school like a gym with showers, an updated cafeteria, a proper theater, etc. Their hand is out throughout the year. This makes the tuition more expensive in the long run. They really should have skipped allowing the new lower school to come in and worked on improving the high school. It ruined the campus

its a pretty nice campus the teachers are pretty good some aren't. the people depend on your grade…read moreand the people who go there it vary's every year. around it is good and the campus is relatively clean. the grass is dead though its just dirt so... the field is quite green but its bumpy so we don't use it much. the locker room are locked but you can ask your coach to let u see it and they might let you in. the food is ok its school food so don't expect much. overall its a pretty good school would recommend going here, oh and there's a koi pond.

i go to this school right now and its actually a nice campus but it's really small and the field is…read morebig but all the grass is dead and its to lumpy to go on so we never really use it the teachers are nice overall the food has mold sometimes, and the the bullying and racism is out of control but they have a really nice three story library but it's only open two to three days a week and there up to like forty kids in some classes but I HIGHLY recommend drama (they have really good elective classes) mid overall for a public school

I don't normally review things, but I have had a horrible experience with the school. Many of the…read moreteachers are very unprofessional with their students and the lack of discipline baffles me. Some of the teachers were caring, but I find it preposterous some of the things that others got away with, like blatant favoritism. I do know some of the staff members were fired, but based on previous years, they just cannot find competent people to hire. Also, according to my child's experience, things I've heard from other parents, and events I've witnessed myself, many of the children here get away with terrible behavior. I have heard so many horror stories of children saying racial slurs and micro aggressive comments, but none of them have faced actual punishment, besides maybe getting marked. If you are looking for a small, cozy Catholic school to send your children to, St. Rita is not that.

Hello, If you are…read morereading this review, you'll probably consider St Ritas for your child, keep in mind that our child attended St Ritas for 3 horrific months, it took that long for us to be convinced that the TK teacher was mocking and making sarcastic remarks to our child, not something you would expect from a TK teacher. Stay away from TK at this school, Alverno is a much more peaceful place for a 4-year-old child. Love the church and all the wonderful members, let me start by saying god loves everyone, thank you lord for guiding me and helping me make clear statements. Unfortunately, it seems the TK teacher have lost their passion for teaching and are merely comfortable with their jobs. We are disappointed to hear that some teachers use awful language and sarcasm on four-year-old kids. I feel that if Jesus had a team and had to pick team players, he wouldn't have picked this TK teacher to play in his team. One teacher in particular has gained an uncompassionate reputation that has followed her for many decades. We have spoken with many teachers in different schools, such as Alverno, and they have confirmed that while this teacher has a good teaching record, she is simply an awful person to deal with. Some of the school staff have left St Ritas to find a peaceful work environment at Alverno. Thank you for your time and hope this can help save someone from the stress found at St Rita's School.

Do your due diligence before you bring your family to this school. Don't be swayed by the pretty…read morecampus and the catchy motto. For 26K you deserve to know what you're getting...and what you're not.

I just saw my review from 13 years ago, when my kids had been at Gooden for 3 years. Update: Both…read moreof my kids graduated from Gooden (2016 & 2018) and went on to competitive high schools & colleges. I still strongly feel that their time at Gooden gave them a phenomenal foundation. They've been confident to advocate for themselves, considerate and respectful throughout their education journeys. AND as I predicted years ago, they are still very close with the friends they made, as am I. It truly is a special school.

The preschool director is on top of things and the staff is nurturing and caring of their little…read morestudents. There is potty training available for the littlest ones and actual curriculum for helping the older ones to be ready for learning. All done at appropriate levels for the children.

Bethany Christian School is amazing. The teachers, administration, and head of school work every…read moreday to make sure the kids are happy, loved, and learning and growing at their own pace and full-potential. The entire staff at Bethany are genuinely kind, loving, smart God-fearing and God-loving people. The kids are kind, smart and blessed. I can't say enough good things. If you're looking for a loving, Christ-centered school for your child/children, do give Bethany a chance. Their admissions director is wonderful. Call the school for a tour, I'm sure they'll be happy to accommodate!

To all the moms out there, I am someone who has been there for all three years. I just graduated…read morethis year. My experience was relatively well. Some of the kids there are really spoiled rich kids who will make fun of you a lot of the people at the school do not talk English there's a lot of academics there and yeah.

Love my school so fun so amazing so nice and people who work there are understanding and kindread more

Please make a note of the following: If you are considering…read moreSt. Rita's for your child, please be aware that our child attended St. Rita's for 3 difficult months. It took us that long to realize that the TK (Transitional Kindergarten) teacher was mocking and making sarcastic remarks to our child, which is not something you would expect from a teacher. I would advise staying away from TK at this school. Alverno is a much more peaceful place for a 4-year-old child. We love the church and all the wonderful members. Let me start by saying that God loves everyone. Thank you, Lord, for guiding me and helping me make clear statements. Unfortunately, it seems that the TK teacher has lost their passion for teaching and is simply comfortable with their job. We are disappointed to hear that some teachers use awful language and sarcasm with four-year-old kids. I feel that if Jesus had a team and had to pick team players, he wouldn't have picked this TK teacher to play on his team. One teacher, in particular, has gained an uncompassionate reputation that has followed her for many decades. We have spoken with many teachers at different schools, such as Alverno, and they have confirmed that while this teacher has a good teaching record, she is simply an awful person to deal with. Some of the school staff have left St. Rita's to find a peaceful work environment at Alverno. Thank you for your time and I hope this can help save someone from the stress found at St. Rita's School.

They have no idea when they even would open ... I walked in with my siblings to inquire and show…read moreour interest to them we have our children to enroll ... the guy at front looked nervous as we asked questions then he called someone to come name Yashaicaac not sure if we got the name right since she was not all informed about our questions but we felt that she just was a bit off and rude . The gentleman himself looked very uncomfortable but unfamiliar with their school rules himself ... this place is a joke !!!!! My sister said the lady ... she was just plain nasty since we are concerned about our children's safety and education. She had nothing to say but I only work here I don't make the rules we were like omg !!!! Run people don't take your kids here !!! Complete colossal disaster here ... they have no clue what they are doing nor do they have valid educated folks with empathy and support for our children... Very sad !!!! Indeed !!!! Wow This is disgraceful....!!!! Yet they talk about how they want to expand we're like please don't .., You will mess up our kids, our future & our families shame on YOU all!!!!

One of the best schools around the corner. Very nice staff members and showed great politeness to…read morethe students and people. Definitely recommend this place and welcomes walk in too.

Besides being set in such a gorgeous and safe location out of traffic areas, up in the wilderness,…read morenestled in the foothills-- this school has incredible teachers to the point where two of my three children that have attended throughout the past 11 years, now, want to be teachers. I must add that I have never seen a principal so protective of the school, and Mr. Maynard never ceases to amaze me on the great care taken in every avenue. Thank you, Don Benito!

I take my son here but im currently thinking to take him back. I have him eat the cafeteria and he…read moresays their food tastes really bad and one time he spit out one of their burritos he ate! He also says the staff favorite specific students and on google it says when staff do things like that it's unprofessional!! He tells me that if he needs to take a number 2 in the toilet, theres usually poop stains all over the bathroom! One time i came for his spring concert and the cafeteria was hot as my dads barn in bakersfield. They really needa turn on some A/C there. This is a giant school and it takes up ton of land. Take away a quarter of this school and ill be happy. Overall. I would 100% not recommend this dump of a school

FOR TRACK FIELD ONLY:…read more -track field open to the public after school hours and when no games -clean field -rubber ground with lanes painted -clean restrooms open to public also by the track Tip: park on campus dr side of street (free two hour parking) and track has open gates from there leading right to the track

Not a teaching institution...teachers don't know how to and refuse to teach. They expect everyone…read moreget outside help. No guidance and no success in helping get into colleges. The number one student in the school ended up going to UCLA (what a joke). The majority of the senior class going to places all over with little to no success in getting into their first choice schools. Waist of time and money!