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 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.

It's a very good school and and the staff there is very nice and understanding…read more Although my daughter has had some bullying there in 1st grade but that has gotten taken care of.we all miss mr.khan very much but the new principle is nice to.

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.

Woodlake Elementary Community Charter - Woodland Hills (LAUSD) - Safety Concern / Bullying Not…read moreAddressed I'm posting this as a serious concern about student safety. My 8-year-old nephew has experienced repeated physical bullying on campus, including being slapped and pushed, primarily during lunch and after-school/dismissal. Our family has reported these incidents and asked for meaningful intervention, but we have not seen effective action to stop the behavior, hold the offenders accountable, or prevent it from continuing. A school should be a place where children feel safe and protected, especially during unstructured times like lunch and dismissal when supervision matters most. Right now, we do not feel the school is taking the necessary steps to ensure a safe environment. We are asking Woodlake to implement clear, consistent measures immediately--stronger supervision in the areas where incidents are happening, a written safety plan for affected students, and prompt follow-through when physical aggression occurs. No child should have to worry about being hurt at school.

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.

As I'm approaching my son's last day at WHPS Collins campus I can't help but have an overwhelming…read morefeeling of grattitude. The staff and the teachers at this point feel like family. Knowing my son loves every person there and has had such a wonderful time learning and making best friends instills a calm in me as a parent. I recommend this school to anyone considering it. It is a safe, clean, warm & playful environment that every kid should experience.

Woodland Hills Private School has been amazing for our daughter. We've been so impressed with the…read morebalance of strong academics along with emotional support and development. The smaller teacher/student ratio (around 8-10 students per teacher) allow for a lot of individualized attention and really helps the kids feel seen and supported. This year especially, we have seen our daughter's reading, writing, and math skills absolutely skyrocket. It's been incredible to watch her confidence and love of learning grow so much in such a supportive environment. Communication has also been excellent from top to bottom. The administration and teachers are always available, approachable, and genuinely want to connect with parents. I always feel welcome walking into the office and appreciate how involved and responsive everyone is. Another thing I really value is the diversity among the students and families, which creates such a positive and inclusive environment. I am very grateful to have found this school for our daughter and look forward to next year!

WHPS is a wonderful elementary school that truly sees and nurtures the whole child. Our two…read morechildren spent five wonderful years there, and we couldn't be more grateful for the experience. From caring teachers and kind, supportive staff to a beautiful campus and enriching opportunities, WHPS provided exactly what you hope for in an elementary school. Every child is known, encouraged, and given the chance to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. The PTA is exceptional and plays a huge role in creating a vibrant, welcoming community with memorable events and opportunities for students and families alike. We are incredibly grateful for the years our family spent at WHPS and will always look back on them with appreciation. WHPS gave our children a joyful, well-rounded elementary experience, and we couldn't recommend it more.

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!

After two years at another local charter school, transferring to CHIME has been life-changing for…read moreour family. The difference has been night and day. From the very first week, our child felt welcomed. He quickly made a wonderful group of friends and now genuinely loves going to school every day. At the previous school, he dreaded. The culture at CHIME is kind, inclusive, and supportive, and it shows in how the students treat one another. Academically, we couldn't be happier. Our son transferred below grade level in reading and has since reached grade level thanks to the incredible support from his teachers and the Reading Lab program, which provides free small-group instruction before school. Programs like Reading Lab and Math Lab demonstrate that CHIME is committed to helping every child succeed. As parents of a child with an IEP, we've been especially impressed by the school's special education team. Every IEP meeting has been collaborative, thoughtful, and solution-focused. We feel like true partners with the teachers and staff, and our son has benefited tremendously from their support. One thing that has consistently stood out is the level of support in the classroom. There are multiple adults working with students, creating an environment where children receive the attention they need. The administration is approachable, transparent, and genuinely cares about both students and families. Communication is clear, and we've always felt heard when we've had questions or concerns. We also appreciate the many practical details that make life easier for working families. The pickup process is exceptionally well organized with flexible options, affordable extended pickup and aftercare, and a breakfast/lunch program with menus families can review in advance. These thoughtful systems reduce stress for parents. Beyond academics, there are wonderful opportunities including music, art, robotics, game design, and other enrichment programs that help students discover new interests. We applied to CHIME multiple years before finally getting in, and it has absolutely lived up to our hopes. Looking back, we didn't realize how much better a school experience could be until we came here. We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this community and would recommend CHIME without hesitation.

This school sucked the teachers would harass you about small things and they diddint actually teach…read moreus anything and based everything around takeing care of the sped kids and made everything about them

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.

My two sons attended Ivy Academia from kindergarten through third grade. Unfortunately, I had to…read moremake the difficult decision to withdraw them in February 2025 and begin homeschooling due to the administration's repeated failure to ensure their safety and well being. Over the course of several months, my sons endured physical assaults, verbal harassment, and even threats of gun violence, all racially motivated! Despite my repeated reports and requests for intervention, the administration consistently failed to act effectively. Instead, I was met with dismissal, excuses, and what felt like gaslighting, while the student responsible continued to attend school without consequence. The final incident occurred when my son was attacked from behind by the same student, who choked him, hit him, and clawed his face, leaving lasting scars. Despite the severity of this assault and the ongoing pattern of violence and racial harassment . I never received follow-up communication or accountability from the school administration. To make matters worse, as of October 26, 2025, the same student contacted my son with racist and homophobic slurs. The continued lack of accountability is unacceptable. Shame on the administration for prioritizing the protection of a bully over the safety of the victims.