this school is amazing! I have 2 kids here and this is their 2nd year here they love the staff and…read moreteachers

This school is terrible. It is disgusting, the student to teacher ratio is horrific, and the kids…read moreare foul. At this school, children are using profanity and derogatory language everywhere, including but not limited to slurs. This school also inforces labor on older people. The custodians, both for the elementary and middle schools, are older women. Some of the teachers themselves also use such profanity! Do not send your children here, it will take a turn for the worst.

Inside the Spectrum Program: What They Don't Want You to Know…read more To the parents of New Roads School, I'm writing this because no one else will. Not the smiling admissions staff. Not the polished emails. Not the teachers who know something's wrong but look the other way. This isn't easy to say--but it needs to be said. Because what's happening in the Spectrum program is not care. It's not support. It's quiet, systematic harm dressed up as help. And it broke me in ways I'm still trying to undo. In middle school, I was diagnosed with autism. When I got into New Roads, I was placed in Spectrum. My family was told it was a safe space--a nurturing environment tailored for students like me. I believed them. I wanted to believe them. But not long after I started, I was re-evaluated. Turns out, I wasn't autistic after all. But that didn't matter. By then, I was already locked in--trapped under Elisa Schultz's watch. Once you're in, Spectrum doesn't let go. You don't "exit" the program--you disappear into it. It wraps itself around your life and convinces you that you need it, even when all it's doing is making you smaller. At first, I tried to play along. I was named grade-level ambassador. I met with new families. I made speeches. I wanted to believe I was helping build something good. But eventually, I did what Elisa can't stand--I told the truth. I started asking questions. I stood up for students who felt powerless. I spoke too loudly, too clearly. So they got rid of me. I was replaced quietly, like I'd become an inconvenience. But the worst moment came later--when a classmate I cared about came to me in tears. Elisa had called her a disgusting, sexist name--something that would get anyone else fired. We made the decision to speak out. And the moment we started talking, five staff members closed in on us. Not figuratively. They surrounded us. Physically. Like security guards. They told her it never happened. Over and over, until her hands were shaking and she started questioning her own memory. I stood there watching someone I admired unravel in real time. And I knew: this wasn't a "program." This was something darker. During COVID, I had a bad allergy flare-up. I stepped out of class to blow my nose in the hallway because I didn't want to disturb anyone. The Tesla classroom was right next to the bathroom. I wasn't sneaking off. I wasn't doing anything wrong. Elisa exploded. She screamed at me in front of everyone. Berated me for not blowing my nose in front of the class. As if I had broken some sacred, unspoken rule. I was embarrassed. I was sick. I was trying to handle my body and my space with some dignity--and she crushed that in one moment. No kindness. No understanding. Just public shame. What kind of "support program" does that? Spectrum charges over $13,000 a year on top of tuition. That money doesn't go toward student wellbeing. It goes toward building a system that punishes independence and feeds on fear. They don't care if you were misdiagnosed. They don't care if it's hurting you. They care about keeping your family's money. And your silence. There are others like me. I've spoken to six students--at least--who had stories like mine. Some gave me permission to speak. Most are too scared. That should tell you everything. Parents, you're being sold a lie. And it's packaged beautifully--with buzzwords, learning plans, and emotional jargon. But behind the curtain is something toxic. Something I wouldn't wish on anyone. Ask the questions they don't want you to ask. And when they try to talk around it, listen to what they're avoiding. This program nearly broke me. I'm writing this because I refuse to let it keep breaking people in silence. - A former Spectrum student who refuses to stay quiet

Our two high schoolers are thriving at New Roads. The teachers are excellent and caring, the class…read moresizes are small, and most importantly, they are learning not only academics but how to work toward a better world.

Small Charter school (middle & high) in West Los Angeles…read more School population of about 825 students in grades 6 - 12 with small class sizes that average 30 students per classroom. My son just started and so far, he loves the school. (will update later!)

My son just finished 8th grade here so I wanted to share our experience for other parents trying to…read moredecide on a middle school. The good stuff first: he got lucky and had Ms. Plasencia who is amazing: caring, dedicated, and actually invested in the kids. The campus is small too, which I really appreciated compared to some of the huge public schools around here with 1000+ kids. It just felt safer and more manageable. My son also made great friends and we liked the other parents we met along the way. But there were some real issues that made us decide not to stay. Biggest one: the school uses an app called Infinite Campus so parents can track grades throughout the year. I checked it every week like a hawk. My son is a straight-A honors student who had a 98% in one class ALL YEAR and then a week before grades were due, the teacher suddenly updated two months of missing grades and it dropped him to a 74%, completely out of nowhere. I emailed the teacher and the principal, and basically got told teachers are "encouraged" to update grades every two weeks but apparently that doesn't actually happen. So what's the point of the tracking app if a teacher can just sit on grades for two months and then spring it on you right before the year ends? My son's final report card ended up with all As and this one C. Also, the math situation was rough. He started the year with one teacher who basically gave up on the class. She sat in the back of the room and stopped engaging with the kids at all. She left mid-year and got replaced by someone more invested but honestly not great at teaching the material either. So basically a wasted year of math. And then there's the bathroom situation. Some 8th grade boys vandalized a bathroom, so the school's solution was to lock ALL the boys' bathrooms, all day, every day. If a boy needed to go, he had to track down someone in the front office to walk him there and let him in. Before school, during class, lunch, whenever. And when the office was busy, boys just had to wait. This actually led to a kid wetting himself in the hallway because he couldn't hold it anymore. That's just not okay for a middle school to let happen. Overall, we got lucky with one great teacher, but between the grade tracking that doesn't actually prevent last minute grade surprises, the teacher turnover, and the bathroom policy, we decided to switch schools. Just wanted other parents to know what we dealt with so you know what you're signing up for.

Saint Sebastian School is a wonderful school for all of students. First, all of teachers are nice,…read morepassionate and professional. They always give kids a warm hug when they need it. Second, the team of the school is the best. A younger and responsible principal, the helping front desk, the best teacher and other nice staff. My daughters like to study here and really enjoy the day of school. So I sincerely recommend this school for everyone. Let's join the great community.

My daughter has been attending for three years and we love the school and the staff. My daughter…read moreloves her friends. The small community is a plus.

I'm still here with my younger children and honestly the school has lost its magic. It was a domino…read moreeffect starting with the influx of more private school families moving over to Richland with their entitled behavior, then Covid, then a few families with insanely litigious approach to dealing with the staff not meeting their demands. The principal and coordinator both quit because the families became just too much to deal with. We lost a lot of truly wonderful teachers. Now we have a principal who is rude and oblivious and always defensive. She's all talk and no action and has no energy whatsoever. Our former principal, who granted had some shortcomings as well, was such a positive presence on campus. He engaged with families and students in an upbeat and excited manner every day. I wasn't his biggest fan, but the environment that he fostered was really special. We felt like we had a voice. Like he cared what the parents thought. This new principal acts like we as parents are always in the way or annoying her or doing something wrong. She doesn't remember anyone who isn't constantly kissing her behind. I've had many face to face conversations with her and she still never knows who I am or who my children are. We used to be welcome on campus, it was such a warm and loving environment. Now you have to jump through a thousand hoops to get approved to volunteer and for some reason only the select few parents get approved.

We moved to Westdale (Mar Vista) a little over five years ago and I have to say that it has been…read moreamazing to witness the evolution of Richland Avenue over those years. Committed parents, energetic teachers and staff and a dedicated Principal have turned Richland into a hidden gem of a neighborhood school. With about 300 students, Richland provides a comfortable, family-like environment with all of the academic support and encouragement of an Advanced Learning School. We have a learning garden on campus, after school French classes and Arts, Music and Sciences programs. My daughter is in the TK/K class, which she loves. I have to say that as a parent, I don't take for granted the fact that she adores her teachers and says "Bonjour" every time she sees Principal Granade (who knows every students' name). She feels comfortable asking questions, interacting with everyone at our school and is 100% encouraged to be herself. All that and her teachers have above and beyond supported her love of math and science. Just in case it's helpful as a frame of reference, my daughter's first, school experiences were spent at a reputable, private preschool and my entire K-12th grade experience was spent at two, small private schools. Richland is my first public school experience and I truly believe that my daughter is being nurtured, encouraged and challenged academically just as I was growing up.

I am making another review, I am so glad I graudated here a month ago. So now I feel safer to…read moreexplain more in detail. At this school, the school cares more about their image than what they actually do. They have little ''events'' but they mostly put it on their instagram even when there's a cellphone ban. They do attendance challenges where if you show up consistently for a couple days you could get a 10$ Starbucks gift card. It's stupid, I know. They never clean the inside of the classroom building, they treated the cellphone ban as more important than students vaping, since they knew students smoke and smoke at that school but they dont do a single thing to stop it!! There was a burnt tampon found in the toilet - (no one knows why they were burning the tip of a tampon) someone reported it to the duke, and no consequences were given. The only people who actually care (In my opinion) are those at the wellbeing center. They let you come in and they welcome you even if they're going everyday, they actually care about mental health. Teachers like Ms. Ishii, Ms. Mitchell and Ms. Monge will put you on your last brain cells since their work is so hard, they will expect much out of you and I would warn against them unless you like teachers who are old school, would make you cry once or twice or close to crashing out, hesitating on respect for students, and having a spirit which made school less enjoyable due to their dark/ mean demeanors. The lunch is a dissapointmemt, instead of it being like an al you can eat buffet, they just throw food into being heat up and it's never handmade / cooked. Sometimes the cafeteria food is moldy or rotting, and it's open food where flies are flying around it. The theatre program was amazing, and we will sure miss Ronnie Sperling as our diretctor as he had decided to leave us after this year. As well since in Highschool a lot of students want to go to college, Uni doesn't really mention college to you until Junior year (Teacher wise), but I would recommend the college center since they just started that as we became seniors and It can be really helpful towards those who want the best academics. The dress code policy is stupid, Ms. Tucker Jones has a nasty attitude, I dont know if its because were both black and she's jealous I carry myself better than her, or she feels that she had to keep things in lock idk she just pissed me off. Also everyone booed the principal at graduation (Claudia Middleton) Anyways, If you end up bringing your child here it up to you. Goodluck, and be prepared to offer extreme emotional support, and money especially for senior year. But out of all the negative, here are some positive things I liked about this school. I mentioned being a black teen girl, we have a BSAP Counselor- Ms. Johnson. She took us to field trips for hocus, to go see a movie about being black, and watching a black play nutcracker. She also offers scholarship opportunities. I like this schools after school program educare, they offer a lot of snacks after school, tutoring and homework held ! :) Mr. Sabbagh had an excellent music progrgam- and if you wanna sing the national anthem for graduation go to him and try out even if you think youre not good enough do it try your best!!! As I said earlier the theatre program was good, so is the sports selection even tho this school is broke. And now, thats it. thank you so much for reading even though this was very long, I am finally done with this school. Peace out! -June, class of 2026

Great amenities try the stream on a sunny day. History of…read morehigh academics sports and educational innovation .The Collins/Katz YMCA is a big bonus

Visited Windward School for a football game and had a great time. The field and facilities are…read moretop-notch, clean, and well kept. I was up top during the game, and the view was excellent. The entire experience was smooth and well organized. Windward has a beautiful campus and a great atmosphere.

I was invited to watch Thursday basketball league game. Clean school. Nice gym…read more Security guard was present. Easy parking.

The teachers are wonderful. The administration cares for money more than your child so if you're…read morenot very wealthy don't bother coming here. They make you feel all warm and fuzzy when you apply then completely ignore you when real issues arise. Sad reality of the westside of LA but trust me when I say that your money is far more important to them than you or your child and their "love of community" is giant lie. Very disappointing.

From the owner: We provide an unparalleled educational experience rooted in Jewish values – inspiring innovative…read morethinking, empowering responsible leadership, and honoring individuality within a nurturing community.

Our experience working with the Learning Encounters team has been truly wonderful. While we are not…read morecompletely done with our school exam and application preparation, Valerie, Sam and Pam have been so supportive, flexible and motivating for our daughter. In fact, our daughter actually enjoys the process because of their kindness, patience and skill building expertise. As we continue to navigate the limitations COVID-19 has placed on the testing and application process, Valerie is always willing to help us fit tutoring into our daughter's schedule (and on her evolving needs). It's evident that Learning Encounters truly cares about its students and parents as they make a personal investment in each student's success. Thank you Valeria, Pam and Sam. -Amy S.

Hidden gem. Valerie has her heart in the game, and the proof was in the pudding for us...my…read moredaughter's ISEE scores improved 2-3 points after a 12 week group tutoring session. Highly recommend.

As our 4 years of high school come to an end, my heart is heavy with both joy and sadness! Geffen…read moreAcademy at UCLA has been home for my son the last 4 years. As he goes off to college, I have no doubt that the knowledge, curiosity, persistence and leadership he has finessed during his time here, will not only push him to higher heights but will be the tools that he will continue to use to change his world & those he encounters for better. The Head of School leads with wisdom, compassion, empathy, purpose and strength which trickles down to the entire administration. The school has been very instrumental not only in my son's academic journey but in his overall life, tremendously shaping him into the fantastic man he has become. The school truly cares about the students mental health. Although we have completed our academic journey, Geffen Academy will always be the fabric we wear daily. We will forever be a part of this amazing top notch school & community. Once a bruin always a bruin! GO BRUINS

I do not recommend this school if your child has a diagnosis and needs accommodations. Their…read morelearning specialist department is grossly mismanaged.