As a parent of Calabash Elementary for the past 8 years I can tell you that I have been beyond…read moreimpressed by this school and this is why; * a principal that is fair, that shows no favoritism, and is a true child advocate. * a front office staff that are warm, knowledgeable and show respect for the parents and children. * teachers that care, are passionate about teaching and educated on our children Academic needs. * a librarian that has developed a generation of children with a love for books. * a PTA that has made a community, that has worked non stop to raise money for the programs and enrichments that our tax dollars no longer cover.

Update... as we near graduation…read more The Great -- The teachers. Almost without exception, every teacher we've had at Calabash (approx 12) has been top notch, committed and inspirational. The Good -- The PTA. It's improved. A lot. It's now run by a responsible group that is really committed to raising funds and implementing quality programs for the kids. The Mediocre -- The parents. With the exception of a few, the parent involvement is pretty lame. Same group of parents that volunteer at every event. The BAD -- The Principal. One of the worst I've ever seen. She attempts to run the school like a military base. She has her sights set on climbing the LAUSD ladder and, clearly, every decision she makes is geared toward furthering her personal goals as opposed to creating a nurturing, fun, inspiring environment for the kids. And this isn't just my opinion. Every teacher, parent and student hates her.

My husband, Charles, and I have been happily married for 24 years. My 2 sons attended school here…read morefor 2 years. The teachers harassed my sons by playing the cool kid rap music and my kids came home and using curse words such as, "poop", "butt" and "stupid". (My kids are in 5th grade they shouldn't be using this kind of language.) Not only that the female children that do go to this school have frequently asked for playdates with my eldest son, Trevor. I don't know what kind of radical, leftist ideals this school is promoting, but they sure aren't encouraging our children to act in an appropriate manner. My youngest son, Hunter, recently came home crying as his teacher, Mrs. Arisen, had asked for a hug after yelling at him for not completing his civil war reenactment script. Another terrible atrocity that occurred on school grounds left my son, Trevor, traumatized. He unfortunately has a peanut allergy, do he must sit at the peanut allegory table, alone. One day he told me that one kid had aggressively thrown a bag of peanut m&m's directly at him and yelled "BOMB!". And the staff did nothing to help. This is a terrible school and I would never send my worst enemy to this school.

My daughter attended Serrania for K-5. For all grades except 4th grade we had a great experience!…read more However, her experience with her fourth grade teacher, Ms. Tenzer, was beyond unacceptable and our multiple requests for meetings and inquiries into issues my daughter was having with her went unresolved. After much consideration we decided to pull her out of LAUSD for Middle School and High School.

Dear Lauren Sahara, Assistant Principal…read more I am writing to express my absolute outrage and deep concern regarding the repeated assaults my son has suffered while under the supervision of your school's staff. Despite prior assurances that a safety plan had been established to protect him, these attacks have continued, exposing not only a gross failure to provide a safe learning environment but also a serious negligence of duty by your administration. My son has been slapped across the face, kicked, and pushed to the ground on multiple occasions. In one particularly disturbing incident, a chemical powder was poured onto him, resulting in a severe itching reaction that required him to change his shirt. Not only was this physical assault unacceptable, but no one at the school contacted us--his parents--to inform us of what happened, which is a direct violation of both moral and professional responsibility. Your continued assurances of a "safety plan" have clearly proven hollow, as incidents persist unchecked. Your staff's inability to adequately monitor students and ensure a safe environment raises major concerns that the school is understaffed to an illegal or dangerously inappropriate degree for its student population. This ongoing lack of accountability and supervision has directly contributed to the repeated victimization of my child. As a result of these repeated assaults and your administration's consistent failure to protect my son, a police report has been filed with the LAUSD School Police (File No. SP#255655). This step became necessary only because the school has not taken appropriate or effective action. I demand an immediate, written response outlining: 1. The current status and details of the so-called safety plan. 2. All disciplinary actions and investigations that have been conducted to date regarding these incidents. 3. A concrete plan--effective immediately--to ensure the safety of my child moving forward. Should this matter continue to be ignored or mishandled, I will have no choice but to escalate it to district officials, legal counsel, and state authorities for further investigation. Your administration has failed in its most basic duty--to protect the students entrusted to your care--and this will not be tolerated any longer. Sincerely, George pearson

This school was once great. Current administration has been awful with handling safety issues…read moreinvolving students. They constantly seem to turn their face or say nothing when students are assaulted. This lack of care by them results in more violent actions (just read recent comments). My child has been punched and I've been called and told that it's no problem and that the student that hit my child is actually in more pain because of the way they hit my child or that my should have not been near the situation so he wouldn't have gotten hit. Since when is a victim the aggressor? Seems wise to teach this. Recently, my child was choked in class and when the teacher was informed of the situation, nothing was done. This is the constant theme at Woodlake. If you care for your child's safety, it's best to take them to a school that will prioritize providing them a safe learning environment.

The parents at this school are incredibly rude and entitled. I have twice seen verbal arguments…read moreescalate into near physical altercations because the principal of this school refuses to manage the traffic situation at pick up and drop off. The streets around this school are made so dangerous by the parents who are terrible drivers and so lazy and entitled, they would rather park illegally and hold up traffic than walk one block. One day someone is going to get seriously hurt because this school refuses to do its responsibility and hold parents accountable for driving safely.

There will always be bad experiences at any school be it public or private. My daughter has been at…read moreWHECES since kindergarten and is moving into her last year. Overall, it really is a great school. You have to be an advocate for your child and as long as you are involved with their schooling the experience should be rewarding. We have all had great teachers and not so great teachers and this school is no different. Your kid will learn a lot! This school is not for every student. If you work with your child and make sure they are getting the right support...it does come from the parent and not just the teacher...they will have a rewarding and successful elementary school experience and be a head of the game come middle school.

We love WHPS and the Collins St. Campus. Our daughter has been at WHPS for the past two years. We…read moreare so sad to be leaving and heading to TK because I am not ready to be leaving WHPS yet. Ms. Robin, the preschool director, is phenomenal. From our first visit to campus she made us feel welcome and comfortable. I was so impressed that she knew every student and parent walking around as we visited. To this day, she still knows everyone who passes through the gates of WHPS Collins. She is always available for questions, to discuss any concerns, is an incredible support for the teachers and is actively engaged with the school's programs and students' development. We first had Ms. Monica and Ms. Zulay and now have Ms. Kathy and Ms. Candy as teachers. They are INCREDIBLE. The teachers tailor their teaching styles and content to the students in their class and their interests. My daughter is an observer and the teachers have helped push her a bit outside of her comfort zone and she has grown so much over the past two years. There are a ton of extracurricular activities that families can opt into. We've done dance, Spanish, tiny stem, soccer, and tennis. We've also done the summer camp at WHPS. It is a bit of an extension of the school year but with lots of fun water experiences. There is a pool with a lifeguard and available swim lessons. The Parent Association Group (PAG) is highly involved. So many fun experiences like a Halloween parade and Snow Day as well as cultural celebrations like Lunar New Year and Holi. Also, the school is incredibly safe. Double entrance doors which is right in front of the director's office. Codes and sign-ins required by all. Great relationships with LAFD and LAPD who respond quickly if there were to be any concerns. Also, they do a number of drills that are age appropriate for the students. I know it can be scary to discuss drills at such a young age, but it is necessary. With so many preschool opportunities in the west Valley, we were in a bit of a decision paralysis until we got to WHPS Collins. It was an easy choice and we are so glad our daughter has had such a great experience.

Adding this review for other parents like me who felt incredibly anxious about the daycare…read moretransition. Our son had a nanny until he was 18 months old, and while we knew he could benefit from more structure and socialization as a high-energy, outgoing little guy, I worried constantly about whether he would nap well, eat well, and receive the love and attention he needed to truly thrive in a daycare environment. We originally planned for a very gradual transition with a few weeks of partial days. By day two, his amazing teachers reassured me he was doing great and encouraged us to rip the bandaid off and try full days. They sent photos throughout the day and were always quick to respond whenever I reached out for reassurance or updates. To our surprise, our toddler eats and sleeps at school like a champ. He now runs into school each morning and is never quite ready to leave at pickup. When we arrive, he's usually dancing, laughing, and clearly so happy and fulfilled. I've also been incredibly impressed by the thoughtful programming and enrichment opportunities the school brings in--from special guests and themed activities to PGA events and other unique experiences that make each week feel engaging and intentional. Choosing this school has been one of the best decisions we've made for our family, and we truly credit his incredible growth and confidence to the dedicated teachers who go above and beyond for both their students and parents. Special thank you to Alejandra and Brianna for making our little guy so excited about school.

For the last six years, we've been lucky to have had each of our three children enjoy the Woodland…read moreHills Private pre-school and elementary programs. We can't understate how much of a unicorn WHPS truly is when compared to other private schools. First, tuition is noticeably less compared to other similar schools, but there is no drop-off in the quality of education. Our kids have enjoyed small class sizes and teachers who are able to give them one-on-one attention. The campus itself also has a unique layout, a mix of the modern and classic San Fernando Valley charm. The Oak Tree is a remarkable centerpiece and our kids have loved learning about animals in the barnyard. They've also spent quite a few summers at camp here, learning to swim and playing with friends. The teachers are just wonderful too. They really encourage children to be independent learners and thinkers. In addition, Christine and Roxana oversee the program. They are always accessible, helpful and super friendly. All this to say, if you are looking for an inclusive, fun and welcoming educational environment, make sure you consider Woodland Hills Private School -- you won't be disappointed.

Our experience at WHPS has been nothing short of exceptional! Its cultivating environment is what…read moreevery child needs to thrive. The school's community feels like one big family; the teachers are dedicated and passionate, the staff is proactive and always accessible. The school fosters a love for learning through their programs and offers excellent extracurricular activities after school. But most of all, everyone at WHPS is so kind! We love it here!

We started in the Fishies class with Ms. Yojana then Froggies with Ms. Margaret post Covid…read more (2020-2022) It was a special time we had so many great memories at this place. The teachers were attentive and lovely and most of the other parents are nice and friendly as well. They took so many pictures every week so I always feel connected to my son even though I'm stuck at work. I also missed the professional school pictures. It's not the same quality at the other schools so buy all!!!

Our family had an incredible experience at CWS for 5+ years! Both of my children began in Room 1 as…read morebabies, and between the two of them, we experienced every class and nearly every teacher. I felt comfortable dropping off my kids each day because it was clear that each teacher truly cared about my child. The teachers were great about communicating with us, and I felt like we could really partner with them on things like potty training and other developmental milestones that came up. (For example, one of my kids was a little delayed in learning to walk, but Ms. Laly was very calm and reassuring that he would walk in his own time, which he absolutely did.) When my other child struggled with transitions, especially moving to a new classroom or having a new teacher, Ms. Vanessa was incredible at finding ways to connect with him and really see him for who he is, not the behaviors that he exhibited at the time. I am so grateful to all the teachers and staff at CWS who were incredibly warm, welcoming, professional, and knowledgeable. The special events each year - Halloween parade and trunk or treat, craft nights, holiday show, open house, and graduation ceremony - were incredibly well done and provided a great opportunity for our family to get to know the entire school community. But the cherry on top? The monthly movie nights where we could drop our kids off for 3 hours in their pajamas for dinner and a movie so we could have a date night or night out with friends. This is truly a gem of a school and community.

Both my teenage sons attended public elementary school, then went to Topanga Mountain School, then…read moretransitioned successfully back into public high school at El Camino. TMS provided a nurturing haven during the middle school years which has made my kids more resilient, better citizens of the world, and confident advocates for themselves and for others. Here are some of the experiences my boys had: - going on at least three one-week camping trips each year - learning to cook for themselves and to shop for their camping group on a budget - taking elective classes in pottery, archery, swimming, fencing, and aerial silks - composing and performing original songs during the music trimester - practicing public speaking in a variety of formats, from in-class debates to presentations to full-length plays - sitting in "council" and honoring the feelings and values of their classmates, even whey disagreed with them - burning off energy by playing soccer, basketball, and "mushroom tag" after lunch each day - exploring DTLA via public transportation - evaluating what constitutes a reliable source in traditional media and on social media - gaining an appreciation for nature through weekly hikes - feeling they had an actual relationship with their teachers (with whom they continue to stay in contact) - mastering the five-paragraph academic essay - working in small groups at a pace that was appropriate to their skill level, especially in math - graduating with a strong sense of self Sending my sons to TMS is one of the best investments I have made in their education and their personal growth. The only caveat I would offer is that, due to its small size and flexible curriculum, TMS tends to have more last-minute changes than a traditional school. There is no such thing as a "typical" week at TMS; the teachers may adjust the day's schedule if an issue arises and they feel the kids need to process events in the news or resolve interpersonal conflicts which impact the entire group. I f this to be a virtue, but if you are expecting rigid consistency, it's best to look to a more traditional school.

TMS has been a gift to our son and our family! Middle school can be difficult and distressing for…read moremany kids, but every morning my son wakes up excited to go to school. I've talked to other parents, and the sentiment is the same: kids love TMS! TMS is a mixture of appropriately challenging academics (with some room for individualization because the school is small), social-emotional development, the arts, and outdoor education. The school goes on four trips a year, and I love how the curriculum is integrated into the trips. For example, last year, they read a book that took place at a Japanese internment camp during WWII, and then they visited the actual camp during one of their trips. Also, there is a focus on making the learning applicable to the "real world." For some of the trips, kids are divided into groups, given a food budget, and work together to plan their meals and buy food. There is also a great community feeling amongst the parents at TMS. There is also a culture of kindness and acceptance at TMS. All-in-all, I am confident that my son will emerge from his middle school experience self-confident, ready for high school, and equipped to make the world a better place!

This is the best middle school in California! My daughter absolutely loved it…read more Kathy Jamison was great. We asked her to fill out my daughter's entertainment application and a letter of recommendation, and Mrs. Jamison did it so fast! She was always there for us! We also loved the whole office staff especially Megan! She always helped with a great smile! Teachers were great! My daughter went to Calabasas High School and still misses her Chime Charter a lot)))

as someone who went to this school, it was... okay. the teachers and administrators are all nice,…read moreand they're all very inclusive, but the discipline system is NONEXISTENT. there are tons of kids there that bully others or misbehave regularly, and the most that they get is a... swis form??? that doesn't do anything but prevent them from going to school dance, and who wants to go to those, anyway? there was a kid in my grade who literally killed an animal, and he barely got reprimanded until my mom called animal control. plus, just because the staff is inclusive doesn't mean the kids are. for those two reasons, i left this school for another one, and i'm doing much better there. while chime may work for some, there are a lot of issues behind the scenes.

I want to give a shoutout to Mrs. Hong, the first grade teacher. She is incredibly communicative,…read moreattentive, and truly goes above and beyond for her students. My daughter has learned so much this school year under her guidance. Mrs. Hong always makes me feel informed and supported. She takes the time to email updates about my daughter and patiently answers any questions I have. When students have been sick, she even prepares homework and at-home lesson plans so they can stay on track, which speaks volumes about her dedication. I work with many people every day, and her kindness and care are genuinely refreshing. I felt it was my duty to share how wonderful she has been and to sing her praises. She is truly a special teacher.

Update: my daughter has been going there since kindergarten... since kindergarten!! and she is in…read more6th grade now. We just got her neuropsychiatric report back that confirms AUTISM LEVEL 2!!! Do not send your kids here. THIS IS WHY A CERTIFICATION IN EARLY CHILD HOOD DEVELOPMENT IS CRUCIAL!!!