Although the school looks absolutely post-card perfect, that beautiful exterior barely conceals the…read moretoxicity that lies within. For the parent of a child with special needs, this facility is to be avoided at all costs and for those lucky parents of mainstream children: beware. There is no one watching over your student. Blake, my son's case coordinator, conducts himself like a pre-adolescent Neanderthal on muscle relaxants. He is incompetent, unresponsive, unprofessional and lazy. He has no knowledge of special education beyond that of a first year psych under-grad and he is proud to announce in meetings that he is unavailable the day after Halloween because he is planning on partying too much. Often, when his responses are actually intelligible, he is typically saying something along the extremely erudite lines of, "I don't know what you want me to do about it." Drug and alcohol abuse run rampant on campus and students walk off campus as they please despite not having passes. Administrators are distant and uninvolved and do not seem to mind having unprofessional individuals under their employ, who do irreparable damage without sanction or consequence. Parents, look elsewhere and do so quickly. Do not let the pretty buildings fool you.

This school is very interesting to say the least. I just wanted to give my advice on how the school…read morecan perhaps improve a bit to get five stars (first the good) -This school exceeds any expectations of what a public school is and looks like in Los Angeles. The school overlooks beautiful hills and houses. -They have a better arts center than most community colleges. -The facility is clean. -Beautiful sports facilities:including a pool, baseball field, track, football/lacrosse field -The custodians are friendly -FOOTBALL HAS GONE UP IN RANKINGS and THEY HAVE RECRUITED A FEW PEOPLE FOR CERTAIN SPORTS so needless to say they are projecting in the right direction with that (back in the day they were a joke) -The parents seem very actively involved especially with donations -many kids I have met here were very studious and went off to good colleges. However I am not certain that it is because of the school itself that allowed for that to happen. Most of the parents are college educated. -Los virgenes is a very small school district and a good one at that -the parking lots make the school look like a luxury car dealership (lol) The real reason why I am writing this review though is because Ive seen some weird stuff here. To be honest it is not unusual for students to be behaving the way I am about to explain (they are teenagers after all) but I am complaining because I know that if I had children who went here I know I would want there to be more security. There is a serious problem with the gate that stays open by the track. i see kids coming in and out whenever they please: During second period, right after first period or whenever! They just walk out in groups. And no one says anything. Not the PE teachers who are teaching their classes nor the maintenance or whatever. They get into the car and literally speed off and some come back later. Some are actually staying in their cars (doing who knows what...very suspicious behavior). As i said earlier this is really common in high school (so just because I am saying this does not mean that you should be worried, it's virtually everywhere), but I think what Im trying to say is that the school does not care if your child stays. Maybe the parents dont either sooo i guess it's all swell! but just thought id say something!

Graduated a long time ago but know that the level of education is top notch…read more Expensive but most private schools are!

Seeing that Viewpoint has 4 stars and not 5 is proof that noting is perfect for everyone...not even…read morea school like Viewpoint. I will say, however, that Viewpoint is as close to "perfect" as a school could be. It is 6 stars in my book. I can't say enough about how the school is run, the individualized care, the facilities, the programs, curriculum. My son started in 7th grade and he is now is 11th and I literally have a smile on my face when I picture him being at Viewpoint. Easily, what stands out the most is the fact everyone in the faculty and administration seem to know my kid, personally...they are invested in all the kids..they aren't anonymous...my son feels like he is in a family type environment where people truly care about his welfare inside and outside of the classroom. That is a very rare characteristic for a school. I can't think on one single aspect of my son's education, from academics to administration, to sports, etc., that have not been handled with the highest level of care and professionalism. And, he has built a tremendous friend base at Viewpoint...definitely his second family. If Atticus Finch were to teach at a school...he just might pick Viewpoint. I will look back on Viewpoint and say it was perhaps the best money I have ever spent...and easily one of the proudest contributions that I have made to my son's young life. His mom and I got this one right!

6th grade boutta end…read more Top 10 things this school year: 10: Easier than elementary school 9: New things to learn 8: Short Wednesdays 7: Beginning Strings 6: History class 5: Cool teachers 4: Mr. Kimball (music teacher) 3: Class periods (no more sitting in the same room for 4+ hours like in elementary) 2: Meeting new friends 1: Mr. Johnson Honorable Mention: Fun school not boring. (only sometimes boring) IMPORTANT NOTE: Boys in P.E. always get let into the locker room (at the end of P.E.) about 5-10 minutes after the girls get let in. It is not fun to change with 3 minutes left. Also, the girls got free locks at the beginning of the year. Yeah I don't get it. On the last academic week of school, me and my friends sat in front of one of the doors at the buildings. The staff said we could not sit there anymore because there were girls that left trash there all the time. Before I sat there with my friends, (beginning of the year) I sat at another spot which I also could not go to after the assistant principal said we could not sit there anymore. This school is good, just these few things make it worse. Also kids curse very openly and loudly in class and the teachers rarely punish them.

School is fine if your kid tows the line and is a kid who doesn't need any extra…read moreHelp or has any kind of needs such as a 504 plan or IEP. My daughter struggled so badly we had to take her out as she wasn't learning anything at a point in which she became Physically sick. We pleaded with the teachers and the staff To work with us to help her and they just ignored us to the point we couldn't keep Her there anymore. Her mental and physical health declined badly. She's in a private school Now making straight A's and feels like a normal middle schooler again. If your child has any needs do not send them Here unless you want to be ignored. The amount of negligence here is astounding.

Wow, I am blown away by the number of negative comments about this school. I will say, however,…read morethat I was apprehensive enrolling my second child to Hale for 7th grade because of all the craziness that went on, but honestly, that is a reflection of the parents who send their kids there, and I am a firm believer that education starts at home. There are way too many misinformed families blowing things out of proportion all on the account and hear-say of your children. How about the triplets from hell? How is that the school's fault? According to my girlfriends, administration did the best they can, yet it was a pushy mother that insisted they can do no harm. Did I mention it's a public school? Bad things will happen at any public school, and if you're a good parent, you'd teach your child to stay away from those kinds of students, and those forms of peer-pressure. Both of my children did not do STEAM or the new VAPA Academy, but they were in a few accelerated or honors classes, and they're fine. Encourage your child to be around good kids, volunteer, and show up for your kids' activities, and you'll realize that Hale really is the gem of the Valley. The teachers work hard at Hale, but they're up against really disrespectful kids who do not belong there to begin with who are most likely lottery acceptance students who take their seat at Hale for granted. Administration has their hands tied when it comes to discipline, and there's only so much they can do. Their due-process gives students several chances to get it right, but the lack of parenting only puts a magnifying glass over the bad apples. Don't even start with me and tell me that parenting is hard. YES IT'S HARD, BUT IT'S A COMMITMENT. Electives - electives is where it's at at Hale. The orchestra program under Mr. Cruz is something else. My daughter (the younger of my two children) did 3 years of orchestra with Mr. Cruz. It also did not surprise me that Mr. Cruz was awarded the 2024 Southern California Music Educator of the year. Mr. Cruz is known for being strict. He has high expectations, and his groups sound miles better than many of the LAUSD high schools and neighboring district school bands at LVUSD. I love how he says he's not about winning first place or gold, but in the end all of his band and orchestra classes win something. He focuses on teaching the kids to be a good student first, and a good musician second. My daughter's friend did choir with Mr. Cruz last year and said it was the most amazing singing experience she's ever had. They both laugh about how Mr. Cruz has no choir teaching experience, but he's a wonderful choir teacher. If you want to round off your middle school academic experience with something rigorous and artsy, your child needs to be in one of Mr. Cruz's classes. Nobody in my family is musical or artsy (we're a sports family), and I applaud Mr. Cruz for creating a musician in my family. And although my daughter is no longer pursuing music, Mr. Cruz's stories still get mentioned in the car or at the dinner table every now and then. A few more positives about Hale: TWO LUNCHES. That was a straight up game changer. My daughter felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders when she saw how empty it is outside during lunch. Ms. Moran, the Restorative Justice teacher is GREAT! Compared to other middle schools who do not even dare give out detentions and consequences, Ms. Moran really lays it down. Advice for parents: Be a community. Fight for what is right. Educate your child about the negative influences on campus and teach them to stay away from adversaries. Be involved. If your child has a dance show, an orchestra concert, or VAPA night, go to it! If your child has a robotics competition, go to them! It's not difficult, it's your kid, support them. -SR

I went here from 2004 - 2006 and I was bullied quite a bit…read more The fact that I came to look at this page and see reviews of people talking about their kids getting bullied even to this day breaks my heart. I see that it hasn't gotten any better. I had some good times too and all, some of my teachers were really cool, but still.

My daughter graduated in 1998. I think Louisville is why she is still a good Catholic. She is…read moremarried to a Crespi graduate. They have been married almost 20 years. They have 3 kids who they are raising Catholic. She is a school teacher. He is an attorney. I think they gave both turned very well.

The school does not take bullying serious and it almost cost my daughter her life…read more My daughter attended this school from freshman year to half of her senior year. We knew girls that left because of bullying but my daughter did not experience it until her senior year. My daughter lost her father to cancer when she was 10. On her senior year, her best friend's dad was hospitalized due to diabetes and passed away. My daughter was close to them so she went to see him at the hospital but it brought back memories of seeing her own dad at the hospital and losing her own dad. She grieved his loss deep because she was also grieving for her own dad all over again. Her best friend told all the girls that my daughter was faking her grief and just wanted the attention on her so the whole 12th grade completely stonewalled my daughter not knowing what my daughter was going through. Teachers noticed she was crying in school because she lost her friends and was being ignored by none stepped in. One offered for her to spend lunch in the classroom but didn't try to stop the bullying. I spoke to the counselor many times and the principal and asked them to stop the bullying, but they said ignoring is not bullying (which it is when it's a whole group against one person). I tried to educate them on it and the anxiety her classmates were causing my daughter at school. I took her out of the school thinking it would help but she attempted to take her life when she felt her world (school and friends) ending. The entire staff needs training on bullying so they can recognize it at first sight and stop it. Lives are at risk until they take this serious. My daughter didn't get to graduate with the senior class as she envisioned and didn't get to go straight into the college she selected because Louisville did not provide the support we needed. Louisville allowed the bullying at the time when my daughter needed love and support from her classmates and teachers. Before the bullying, she did not have anxiety or suicidal thoughts, she was happy, outgoing, active in sports, academics, church, and thriving. By reading some of the similar comments here and staff responses, it looks like the school still doesn't take responsibility for the bullying at this school and tries to make it seem like an isolated incident and not what they stand for, etc... but actions speak louder than words and they don't act on bullying even while it's happening in front of them.

Attended from 2006 - 2010. Not the best, not the worst either…read more My teachers were great, I didn't really bond with too many of them, but there were a few gems in there who really cared. Melinda Owen, an English teacher comes to mind. Probably one of my favorite teachers. Honors, AE (if that exists anymore), or AP are the way to go. Regular classes are a joke, a daycare for the inconsiderate, awful bottomfeeders of society but that goes for any high school. Try to aim higher if you want teachers that will help you with college preparedness. Gym was tough but I willingly took two more years than I needed to, the teachers were great though not always understanding. Food was bland, and it's apparently gotten worse. Classrooms and halls are OVERCROWDED. Can't imagine it's getting any better now, as Woodland Hills/West Hills/Canoga Park etc are now more crowded than ever. If you're a kid who falls under the categories of "different" (specifically in regards to interests and how you dress), you're not gonna have a good time. You're going to high school in Los Angeles county and there are tons of superficial, narcissistic, two faced people who populate the school and if not they're druggies. Or both. It's just how it is, try to find people like yourself or be very involved in your studies and don't mind them. Otherwise, socially you'll get along fine if you're "normal", but hey, that's just high school for you.

Do not take an ACT test at this school. They have a complete disregard for the amount of time our…read morestudents put in to preparing and trying to achieve their colllegial goals. For September 2025 test they had a band practice right in the middle of the test. When approached the band said they had every right to be there. The test administrator assured me that it was a one time mistake and it would be fixed for October. Sure enough, the band started playing again and their adult representative did not care about the gravity of the testing situation. I am disgusted and this was our last chance for an ACT test before merit scholarships are awarded. Shame on this administration and the band teacher.

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!

Thank you Woodland Hills Academy's staff for your dedicated work with our children at these…read morecritical times and at this critical age experience. Your work and guidance are much appreciated. Shoshana Ben-Horin

They don't take bullying serious at all I reported a incident to the principal he didn't take it…read moreserious he sits in his office drinking coffee like a goofball looking for a new school for my child

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.

My twins have been going to WHPS Collins campus for two years and I can honestly say we will miss…read morethis school so much as we transition to Elementary school. From the first tour I had with Ms. Robin, I knew that Collins was the place for my kids. We visited many schools and Collins was head and shoulders above the rest. The emphasis was on the right thing: Play-based, social learning! My kids have developed into thoughtful, curious, social butterflies! I credit the amazing teachers and administrative team at WHPS. This year they had Ms. Nicolle who is a unicorn of a teacher - the absolute sweetest, thoughtful, loving but firm when needed leader. My kids adore her and are excited to come to school every day. We have been so fortunate with the whole community at the school. The parents and kids in our class are a delight. I recommend WHPS Collins to anyone who asks. The focus is on developing social, curious and confident kids - it is not about academic rigor at this stage in their development and yet they have learned so much! To illustrate just how thoughtful the staff at WHPS is... My son required surgery in the Spring, it happened to fall on the day of one of the school's many fun activities - the Easter Egg hunt. Before I knew it, Ms. Robin, Ms. Ailin and their teacher Ms. Nicolle arranged a separate Easter Egg hunt for my kids' class so that my twins wouldn't miss out on the fun. As a mom in the throes of preparing for another surgery, I was moved beyond words. They showed me that day what I already knew, the staff at WHPS truly love and value every child that attends. Thank you all so much from the bottom of our hearts, we will miss this sweet, small school that brought our kids so much joy and growth.