A truly special school that we feel so fortunate to have found. There are many reasons we…read moreappreciate El Rio, but one that grows daily is our appreciation for a no-tech/low-tech learning environment. As data mounts about the harms of pervasive tech in schools, it is simply not something we have to worry about.

It's hard to write a review of a school that had its inaugural year smack dab in the middle of a…read morepandemic, which is why I'm giving it three stars instead of the two that I would be inclined to give it under less extraordinary circumstances. I'll start with some positives, the staff, teachers, and parent community at the school are lovely and kind, and the student body makeup seems to have a good mix of race and socioeconomic backgrounds. The school is lottery-based, so their student body's diversity depends on who they target via marketing efforts. The first red flag I had with the school was attending a parent education night, and the person leading the meeting mentioned that the 3rd-grade class spends the year studying stories from the Old Testament, starting with the "myth" of Cain and Able. Another mother and I did a triple take, we asked, "How is this possible in a public school?" The reply was that they teach these stories a "myths" and not as biblical stories. Around the same time, there was a rumble amongst the parents because some of the children in the older grades were told not to use black and brown crayons because they "weren't as pretty" as the other colors of crayons. In the midst of all that was happening in the world, this felt extremely inappropriate and off-base. That was my second red flag. This prompted me to do some deeper research into the origins of Waldorf because I had come into this school thinking this was a play-based, child-centered approach that didn't stress hard academics in Kindergarten and taught reading when it was developmentally appropriate, etc. The origins of Waldorf are laden with "spiritual", religious and racist undertones and the founder of Waldorf Rudolf Steiner was simply put a religious kook and a racist. This article sums up Waldorf nicely https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/waldorf-schools-are-inherently-racist-cults-91193d1fbef6 There is no science in the curriculum, which they may change later, and if your child turns out to be more academically inclined you will either need to get a tutor to expose them to more complex materials or find them another school. I recently had my child assessed by an independent tutor for first-grade readiness as we are transferring to another school and he had only been exposed to 15-20% of the materials he needed to learn to be ready for 1st grade. Obviously, this was an upsetting revelation. At the end of the day, Waldorf was not for us and I would encourage everyone to research it deeply before committing to having their child attend any Waldorf-based school.

01/15/2018 For a day for volunteering with LA Works on…read moreMartin Luther King Jr Day brought me to this school. I thought that is me doing something good. Putting my hands to good use and building or painting to help inspire students to grow. I did not know the different things I would learn because of one man with a dream and non-violent protests. The Courtyard is named after Sal Castro who encouraged students to organize a mass walk-out in protest of sub-standard facilities. Lincoln students led the first wave of what became the largest student strike in history of public education. Joined by at least three other area high schools. The auditorium is named after Ethel Percy Andrus, the very first woman high school principal in California. I'm sure most of the history and information can be looked up on Google or your favorite website. It was great weather for a great day of working together. I even got to meet A.C. Green and Mayor Garcetti who spoke to the volunteers before we all got started.

Lately I find myself immersed in a midlife crisis and have acquired an acute case of Nostalgia…read more Indulge me while I reminisce... Lincoln Heights used to be called East Los Angeles. This was one of the first suburbs of LA and was built for Hollywood's Elite, hence the grand Victorian mansions scattered about a very walkable five mile radius. Over time white flight happened and in a last ditch effort to remain upscale, they changed its name from East LA to Lincoln Heights. Upscale sounding it may be, by the 80's these neglected Victorians were split into numerous apartment units rented to immigrants, street gangs and the poor. Life went on as usual and in squalor for decades. Then, seemingly overnight, gentrification came knocking on our doors and judging from the high real estate to all the recent hipster shops lining Broadway, I fear we are regressing back to the days of the Elite. Or are we? I went to school here at Lincoln High for a short time. This is one of the oldest public schools in LA and was designed by prolific architect Albert C. Martin who also helped design City Hall (!). They don't make 'em like they used to, just look at these gorgeous grounds. I hear it's about to get even more gorgeous thanks to a $200 million modernization plan to spiff up the halls and hills of this historic school. I must admit I did not learn much life skills here. I suppose that's what college is for. So if you peaked in high school, good luck living the rest of your life, brah. I'd often cut class and would scale the fence by the tracks but I'm sure they've reinforced the gates. I almost didn't graduate because I was failing PE. Who fails PE?! Moral of the story? Stay in school. With Nostalgia on my mind and inspired by the month of love because I am a hopeless romantic, I want to share a peculiar letter written by an anonymous student who slipped these words between the slots of my locker all those years ago: To you I write, with all the brilliance of the Stars and Gods. I know you only by sight and the abundance of gleam that comes through as you lingerly walk past friends, strangers, and me, with a smile for your beauty and for the world. This passion for you is no fabrication on my part, it is true as are the dark skies that are above me as I write this epistle. I hope you don't think I'm a maniac for writing to you, for I only write with all my sincerity. I ponder a thought of a day when you and I could speak. Speak of everything under the sun, to feel your breath near me, to sense the tenderness you give forth without a dubious thought in your mind. I wish I could succumb to my desires of speaking to you, but the fear of humiliation keeps me abroad. My mind is overflowing with revelations, we pass each other so many times a day and still I haven't spoken a word to you. These words of mine are corrupt, yes, but frankness is the only life I known. Perhaps I'll write you again. Perhaps I'll speak to you... -- If you are the author of this letter, hit me up. It's been a lifetime and we've much to say...

Ahhh dear Bravo. I spent 4 years of my life walking through your hallways, eating in your…read morecafeteria, and frolicking through your grounds. Wait...that's the glorified candy version. The real truth is that most of the time is spent running up and down five floors of what looks to be an software company when viewed from the outside. Lunches usually consisted of Subway sandwiches and damn you for putting that Cup-O-Noodle dispenser in the cafeteria. I'll never know how many pounds of sodium I have ingested or what long term damage it has probably done. I did not frolic through your grounds because...well because you had no grounds to frolic on. For track, we had to run to another high school a mile away to use their track. Let's not forget that one time while running around the school grounds, one of my best friends was mugged for his watch and shoes. This isn't to say Bravo was a bad school. Far from it! It was just different from your average high school. I mean we had kids that were doing cellular research working directly under doctors in their senior year. How many schools can boast things like that? The pep rally's were fun, especially since the AMAZING class of 2000 was able to usually beat out all the other classes in terms of spirit (no I'm not being biased). The hallways were interesting places to hang out during nutrition or lunch (or to make out), a lot of the teachers were interesting and enthusiastic about their teachings, a few teachers hooked up, girls got pregnant, guys got in fights, people were dropped or kicked out, friendships were made and memories created. I'm so glad I spent 4 years of my life here. That was sincere, no sarcasm. Honestly.

I wanted to post this here to warn parents that this admin protects their teachers heavily, in four…read moreyears at the school there were at minimum of 3 teachers let go for having inappropriate relationship or contact with students. My sister was inappropriately touched by Mrs. Salas and her husband, Mr. Salas (who was my teacher), shamed my sister and my family stating we "wanted money" and "were liars." So truly think about your child's safety before coming here. I have video proof regarding the husband.

Let's go gators I love it there it's a good school for your kids teachers are very nice and awesomeread more

I have 2 kids, one is now attending another and the other is still here. This school is pretty…read moregood, my kids are both dual language (spanish) participants and though they've struggled they have learned so much. I was glad they allowed my children to attend since their home school isn't part of the dual language program. Every teacher they've had seems genuinely interested in helping kids blossom. I have only been disappointed with one teacher and that's saying a lot! My son needed help his 5th grade year and the school was very helpful in getting the correct assistance. I will say that the reason for 4 stars is because of that one teacher and little details here and there that disappointed me. I would hope that no child is in harm's way here and that the principle or vice principal would contact you immediately if that's the case.

It is with great admiration, Respect and gratefulness that I thank Sister Maria Elena for her over…read more25 years of service and dedication to Sacred Heart Elementary I am a former Lancer myself as well as my daughter Several of my nieces and nephews have graduated from Sacred Heart Elementary .They have attended Catholic High Schools and attended prestigious universities. Sacred Heart Elementary under Sister Maria Elena's guidance and love is the perfect School to prepare our children to meet the challenges of life I have complete confidence in the Teachers and I value the safety that this school offers! Blessings, M Gomez

My child attends this school, however due to BULLYING and the lack of action taken by the principal…read morethere Sister Maria Elena we will not be returning next year. My child is a first honors student who will be beginning middle school next year and due to the circumstances we will have to relocate to another school with a more qualified staff. My child had trash thrown at him and the child "Domingo" who threw the trash said she did it because my child looked like trash! The children at this school have no respect for their peers or authority, after this event took place I had a meeting with the principal Sister Maria Elena and she told my child word for word "maybe you should have told her I don't like trash thrown at me". Really??? As a parent of a child in a catholic school I thought it was human decency and common sense that people do not throw trash or insult one another in this manner. Do not send your children here. The parents here sadly seem to want to relive their "glory days" through their children. Many of the children there take no responsibility for their actions, obviously it's because they behave in the same manner at Home and that is why they feel they can get away with it in a school setting. It is really unfortunate that parents will think this school must be great because they have a high census (many children) when in actuality it's because they do not want to close and will accept any child regardless if they are an insult, threat, or a benefit to their student body and image. If you are a parent that needs action in any inappropriate situation save your time, money, child's self esteem and seek a catholic education elsewhere. Update: The principal Sister Maria Elena could never find the time to sit and discuss any issues with me in regard to my son being bullied. I literally had to persistently pursue her in order to get a meeting. I also asked that these other parents also take time out of their day to do the same but they chose to not attend. However now that all people involved in the incident are aware of this review they want to discuss it with me.? Sister Maria Elena reached out to me from her personal cell phone number to let me know that one of these parents were upset and provided me with her number to contact her immediately! OH!? Really Sister... you could never sit down and talk to me about concerns regarding my child being bullied and his low self esteem brought on by these bullies but you can reach out to me from your personal number and bark out orders???? No thanks... This principal is very unprofessional. What was she hoping would happen? A verbal altercation that would than lead to a physical altercation.. Unprofessional Sister Maria Elena. I wish she would really take a step back and ask... What would Jesus do???

First things first !!!! They should really look into a New school Principal" Nereida Lope" isn't…read morecutting it for this school, she super Rude & isn't helpful at all !! She even Rude to her own staff... beware before enrolling you're children in to this school. You would think because the principal is younger she would be nicer and be more involved with the students " yeah right, think again " The school won't see a change unless they change the Principal !!!! I can't stress this issue enough ....

This is the First year that my daughter attended to this school and I love it! Teacher are really…read morenice I seen a lot of progress in my daughter. The staff are really nice Ms. Segovia is always given us information about our children's and the events that they're going to be having. What i love the most is the communication they have wth the parents and the staffs.

Amazing school. My childhood school. Now, my child is attending this school. Learn so much and much…read moreappreciation. Everyone is very nice and welcoming. School staffs and teachers are very supportive, helpful, and friendly.

love this school all my fav teachers left but I made great memories there that I'll never forget…read more10/10 school and I learned a lot to especially from mr knox

Class of 88... loved that school... Sally Chin, Mrs Verduzco, Rick Avila, Tony Romo & many…read moreothers... you made a huge positive impact on my life. I was just another struggling kid from the hood, but survived, eventually got a graduate degree & did okay in life... thanks for all your patience... I was a handful... and I am sorry...

Compared to Solano, sometimes I wonder how I ever survived Griffin where I went from third to sixth…read moregrades. Third grade was a trying time for me. I learned all about how to NOT make a gingerbread house. Fourth grade was a blur. Fifth grade was actually pretty cool. I had two teachers who came in on different days of the week. The one who taught science and math was obsessed with her son's then AP biology classes so we were dissecting frogs and reconstructing chicken skeletons (chickens were bought from Chinatown and boiled by the cafeteria to get all the meat off). The other teacher was all about reading and the arts so we read stories and drew on the walls. She gave me one of my favorite books, "My Side of the Mountain." My sixth grade teacher was obsessed with preparing us for junior high and wouldn't let us put our books in the slot under our desk. We had to pretend to walk up to the bookshelves and fake dialing a locker code to get our stuff. Wacky teachers. It was in sixth grade though that I decided I was going to be a writer. I won the LAUSD handmade books contest for my grade level that year. My story was about a princess named Pumpkinlina. My book was shaped like a pumpkin. How could it not win, I tell ya! My principal was obsessed with making sure we knew the importance of college. We took field trips to the local community colleges, state colleges and a private university (it was also in sixth grade where I decided which college to go to). Actually, now that I think about it, elementary school was pretty fun.