The teachers are really great here. They be teaching the kids cool shit. Lunch ladies be killin' it too. They give the kids good food.

My experience as an african american woman when i attended was i was bullied for being black. I attended when i 1st moved to cali for my 5th grade. I was jumped in the bathroom by 2 asian students and 1 white student. I saw the post about Jake in 2022 and was triggered. I was just sharing my experience here and how the school did nothing to the 3 students other than detention for 3 days. When I came back ready to defend myself, i was threatened with suspension. Shame that I attened here in 1979 and in 2025 stuff hasnt changed one bit. shame on you read more

My son Jake was severely bullied at Castelar Elementary School during the last school year and was the victim of a poorly attempted cover up by the school's principal, Amy Luue. Jake was pushed down a flight of stairs, had a sandbag thrown at his face, was kicked in the testicles, punched, had his arm twisted, etc. The school said nothing to us. After confirming from the teacher that it did indeed occur, I spoke to the Principal, Amy Luu, at Castelar Elementary School and she first tried to deny that the bullying occured, as seen at https://youtu.be/KzGiIGZ0jxs https://youtu.be/fMnAc5XaY-A https://youtu.be/ydtl5T3d3NI When I told her that the teacher confirmed that the incidents occurred, her response was (stupidly, seeing as everyone had witnessed it) "well you don't have any evidence, do you?" When the bullying continued, I went to the principal's office, who began yelling at me and told me that she wouldn't speak to me unless I spoke to her with 'more respect'. I took this as a racially motivatged comment. Castelar then tried to force me to remove my name from Jake's emergency contact list and told me that they refuse to speak to me because I'm not Jake's biological father. I told principal Amy Luu that she's a terrible educator, because she is. My POV: I'm a former school teacher/foster parent/CNA/Job Coach/PCW and a business owner with 20 years of experience working with people. I filed a complaint and the person who tried to force my name off the emergency contact list was fired. Whoops! Jake recently confided to a doctor about the bullying and because they are court mandated reporters, the case was referred to LAPD, putting the school in an ongoing investigation with the police. Meanwhile, the bullying was so traumatic that they recommended Jake for therapy, but required the school to fill out a Vanderbilt assessment form. The principal refused to allow the teacher to fill out the assessment form out of revenge. Principal Amy Luu put her own ego and need for revenge above the need of her student. read more

This school is racist, and really only caters to only their Asian students/people. I recently tried to enroll my boys they told me they couldn't enroll bc they only accept a certain amount of number of students for a specific grade after I came back to drop off a packet they kept my packet with my information for whatever. The person they were serving before us was able to get enrolled who was of Asian decent but we we weren't. If your not enrolled already in the school and not Asian you will not be considered don't waste your time. read more

What you will get: 1. Friendly front office staff. Seem like this should be a given, but for whatever reason that's not possible at my home district (Yes, I'm here via permit from an apparently 'better' school district according to math and English scores) 2. Accessible Principals. Both the principal and the assistant principal greets students at the curb or by the gate. Mr. Fung is very approachable. 3. One-way immersion. I know on some materials it says two-way immersion, but a lot of EL kids here actually speaks Cantonese, not Mandarin, it's really not a two-way immersion, but the good news is there's no difference between one-way or two-way immersion (I've read this in a newer published report somewhere, wanted to cite it but now can't find it- may update later if I find it). Kids are sponges, they learn fast. One side note on this- My daughter was taken off the list after 'winning' the lottery from my home district. Their explanation to me was that my daughter does not speak good enough Mandarin to be in the program (yup). They told me to think of this as a 'gifted' program since curriculum will go faster. They've tested my daughter at the age of 4 all alone without parents present - she was able to say colors, shapes and various items in Mandarin. But that's not good for them, I honestly don't know what they're really expecting from a 4 year-old. My theory is that they just want to hand pick kids that already know Mandarin to be in their new program so that they 'the District' looks good. When I got a spot for her in Castelar, I cried - I'd no longer have to sent her to the dual immersion private school and this concluded my 2 years of running around to get her into a dual immersion program. Thank you for everyone at the LAUSD office and Castelar Elementary that made this happen. I really appreciate your team. 4. Great teachers. My daughter weren't excited about learning Mandarin when she was at the private school, but once she transferred into to Castelar, she really enjoys it - which puts this Chinese mom through the roof! 5. Appears to have a very strong Parent-Teacher group (FACES). Does community events and fundraising events very well. 6. Castelar school's principal made it a point not to have students sell anything - which I really appreciate. The fundraising events such as Halloween maze and movie nights were well organized by FACES and prices are extremely reasonable. 7. Castelar's Mandarin Dual Immersion starts in TK through 8th. They're starting their first 6th grade this year - Yay!!! 8. Music program through Education through Music; Theater program through their new Drama teacher starting this year. 9. 3 nearby/onsite after-school programs all with pickup services. 1) LA's Best - onsite, free, they do various 'clubs' and appear to have a good balance of academic, art, and physical activities. 2) Chinese school next door--next to the school, price reasonable, but their schedule is not in sync with LAUSD's schedule in terms of their semesters; they don't pick up the phone, you have to show up there during business hours to sign up. I speak Cantonese and still have a hard time understanding how their organization work, but there are many English speaking families there so it's not impossible. 3)Alpine rec center across the street - Didn't go there, no review, don't know pricing either. read more

This is a great school with an even more amazing Chinese Dual Immersion Language program. All the teachers there are very dedicated and supportive for a child's success--especially Kindergarten through Second Grade! Sadly we live in Westlake now, and there is nothing like Castelar Elementary here. read more

Great School. Teachers and staff are awesome. The Principal Mr. Fung always greets his students at the curb in the morning. I want to mention In particular Mr. Kitayama. You have been my sons first and only male teacher, and he often misses your class and mentions how much he enjoyed being your student. I didn't realize how much of an impression you made, but thank your for all of your efforts. Front desk staff are super helpful and friendly. read more

I've been here since kindergarten to 5th grade. The food isn't that good but it's okay. I went to dual language since kindergarten to 3rd grade then I switched to English. My favorite teacher is Ms. Moss because she is the first teacher that haven't gave me a bad grade. If you are goth grade you get to go to Catalina Island or Big Bear for a week or so but this year we go for 3 days. read more

I love this school. The Mandarin Immersion program is the best and I don't regret moving to be closer to the school. The principal and the teachers have all been great. I was also impressed by how supportive the staff, community, and parents have been! read more

I attended this school from 1955 to 1960. The school had two buildings, a beautiful old wooden Craftsman style and a newer stucco building that I believe still stands. The wooden building was torn down as not earthquake safe, but it was a beautiful place. High ceilings, big windows. I remember being a "safety" and making sure that my fellow classmates did not run down the stairs or slide down the smooth, irresistable wooden bannisters. The school was considered a poverty area school and every year, we would get boxes of wrapped presents from the Marines or some other charible organization. It would often be the only "present" I got. The teachers, Miss Yamato, Mrs. Reece, Miss Austen, Mrs. Testa I remember so well. They were loving kind and great teachers. I remember lots of hugs and smiles while we learned to sing songs and play the cute musical instruments that the teacher would teach us as she strumed on the autoharp. We had real sand boxes, dodge ball, punch ball and hop scotch. I remember doing air raid practices by hiding under our desks and fire drills outside in the yard. I remember movies in the auditorium about germs and nature films from Walt Disney. We got polio shots and then were grateful to get the Sabin sugar cube vaccines. I remember one class where we painted a mural about the missions that went all around the room. Our teacher let us draw first in pencil the missions buildings, barns and fields and then let us draw the people, the monks, the Indians, the Spanish soldiers and horses. I loved school at Castelar. The racial makeup then was about 1/3 Chinese, 1/3 Mexican, 1/3 everything else. There was no ESL program. The teachers would incorporate a non English speaking child by assigning a couple of bilingual kids to the new child. I was assigned a few new Chinese immigtant girls. They became great pals to me. They went from non English speaking to bilingual without any classes, they just would learn by hanging out with all the rest of us kids. read more

I went to Castelar in the 80's when Dr Chun Hoon was at the helm, and attended 2nd grade through 6th grade there. I wonder if my teachers are still there. Faves were Mr Lerma and Mrs inafuku to name a few. And then there were the McNamaras. Such wonderful teachers who provided the foundation for my success. I will forever be grateful. Thank you Castelar! read more