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.

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

We are starting our sixth year at Maple Village Waldorf School, and with the first day of school…read moretoday, I am reminded of just how grateful we are for this community. Over the past five years, our children have been met with love, patience, and a true dedication to their growth. The teachers and staff are among the most devoted educators I have ever seen. They don't just teach--they nurture, guide, and partner with parents in the most thoughtful way. Their holistic approach meets kids exactly where they are, helping them not only to learn but to love learning. What I appreciate most is how much the school truly cares about the kids as whole human beings. It's more than academics--it's about building confidence, fostering creativity, and cultivating empathy. If you are looking for a school where your child will be seen, valued, and supported in every way, Maple Village Waldorf School is a rare gem. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of this community.

My daughter has been coming to this school since 1st grade (transferred here) All I can say is that…read moreboth of her teachers were great! I love how involved the principal is with the kids. Mrs. Escobar (2nd grade teacher) did an AMAZING job, my daughter loves her so much. All the stuff that she learned amazed me! I've seen so much progress with my daughter. Can't wait to see what next year has planned for her. All staff are helpful, friendly and above and beyond.

bad school, Mrs.platt yelled in my face and made me cry once, also the kids are meanread more

The staff are good but too much homework and only 20 mins of lunch I'd give 30mins but I like it so…read morefar

Numbers-wise, this is one of the worst performing elementary schools in the district. The…read moreadministrators are out to lunch all the time - and the assistant principle is a real piece of work. There is no discipline at this school, no follow up, no one is accountable, the teachers are completely on their own - there is no support. The students are held to very low standards. They will enter middle-school completely unprepared.

Great school love ms Deedee she's very helpful with the kids…read more great diversity school were really gonna miss it here

Let me start with how the staff is a bit rude here. They talk down to you as if you were a child…read more The lack of security is a joke. They just started having someone at the front from 11-2 and she doesn't do sign ins or check IDs anyone can come in and just take a child. I always come in from the back because the gate is wide open. How am I to feel my kids are safe? The year round track schedule I like its good. My daughter and son have excellent teachers. But this school does have a lot to improve. Only reason I have my kids here is because it's closer than any other school. Another thing.. They don't have a ramp for handy cap people like my father who comes and picks up my children when I'm not able to do so. And as for me having to carry a huge double stroller inside is just a big hassle. They don't try to make things easy for you at all.

We love Oakwood Academy (preschool). Our son joined in October of 2025 as a 2.5 year old. The…read moreschool is very clean and organized with processes that support safety, stability and care for the kids. My son has already learned so much in less than 6 months. I love that they post the lesson plan so you can reinforce the learning at home. There is a lot of communication through the Class Dojo app and postings at school. He also was potty trained fully in 2 months which I was more than happy to pay the extra $25-30 a week for that guidance. They have fun activities like field trips, Christmas recitals, special guests like firemen, dentists, etc. He LOVES his teachers, Ms. Cynthia and Ms. Khalifa and we do too! They really understand each child and their personality nuances. I can share what is happening at home and they help guide and reinforce behavior changes at school. It takes a village to raise a child and I'm so thankful to have Oakwood Academy as part of mine!

We love Oakwood Academy and their staff. Our daughter has blossomed since she started attending…read moreOakwood. She is excited to go to school in the morning. The staff is so warm, loving and inviting. Academically they challenge my daughter and has her excelling in her schooling. Our daughter has meet a lot of new friends and love her OA family. There are so many great things about this school not enough space to type on this review. We also love the diversity of staff and students as well. So glad we found Oakwood

The school was better but after they got a new principal it was not good…read more They make it unfair. The school water is not even filtered I know a kid who got sick from the water . And favorites kids it's different from a teacher and they dot favorite kids. And grabbed a kid be cuz the thecher was not fair. I know a kid who got framed in 3grad book after allredey having the same 1 and got suspended for it.

Our son was incessantly bullied for years - baited and mocked, ostracized, shoulder shoved, run…read moreinto from behind, "project" friended to be dumped & ostracized later. His test scores were removed from the general population so the school could claim that every student passed their state tests. His 5th grade teacher, Mrs Reyes, openly mocked him in front of the class & rolled her eyes with disgust at his IEP. She also favored the kids who bullied him. We could not afford to home school, so we were stuck with this armpit of a school.

School is great. I actually go to the school so fun makes you do so much fun stuff and feels you…read moreprotected.

And although they are a little bit too sensitive with everyone's feelings, it's a great school and…read moreI love my kids teacher teachers

I personally believe they hired Donna Robertson to shut down this school. In the years that she's…read morebeen principal, enrollment has dropped and disenrollment through the school year has risen, violence and bullying are prevalent and ignored by the school. Schools are marked for closure in the district with 315 or less enrolled students, we started this school year with 323. I have no hope for this school while Donna is principal here. I know so many good students and families who have left because it is unbearable dealing with her. I have tried for two years to transfer schools with no success. I have disassociated with this school so much that we don't do any of the fundraisers or volunteer anymore because of Donna. This has been the hardest for me since I have always been deeply involved with my children's school. I hope she realizes her impact and how negatively it's affecting the community. It sucks being at a school no one wants to be at. I pray she cares more and tries harder to connect to the students. Unfortunately, your child will not be safe here. Please avoid this school if you can or you will be stuck like me.

This school should be shut down. Bullying is welcomed here including from the teachers so your…read morechildren are not safe here. I had to reach out to the school district and make a police report to transfer my kid out due to the SA and bullying they faced here. They do not care about the students and ensuring their safety.

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