We are not year-round family at Westerly, but we consistently return for their summer camp…read more Our eleven-year-old son had attended all the local summer camps in Long Beach--JCC, 49'er camp, the city's parks and recs--over the past few years, and he ranks Westerly the highest among all camp experiences. The staff is accommodating, the hours are flexible (7:30 am to 5:30 pm), and he has a great time.

What can I say. Our family loves Westerly! Our eldest started at one of Long Beach's blue ribbon…read moreschools, but with the huge classes we decided to take a look at Westerly and we couldn't go back. Since then all our kids have thrived in their Westerly experience. It starts with a sizable campus with a beautiful grass field for sports and activities, newly constructed learning studios and the amazing arts village. What a great place to learn. Then the passionate teachers and staff deliver a whole child program, with a better than 10:1 student/teacher ratio. The Westerly program includes: Curriculum and instruction - Enthusiastic teachers with a well thought out curriculum and small class sizes enabling teachers to adapt the curriculum to the needs of your child. Technology/STEM - Westerly recently hired a full-time Director of Instructional Technology to enhance an already strong technology/STEM program throughout the curriculum. Think coding in class, 3D printing, science and engineering fairs, etc. Visual and performing arts - Incorporated in the curriculum is an annual school-wide play lead by the folks at TKTC. The visual arts program is second to none with the kids being exposed to public arts projects, ceramics in the new ceramics studio, mixed media, painting, photography, etc. I wish I could take the classes myself. Wildcat, the after school program is a blessing. Our kids beg to go to Wildcat to play with their friends, work on yearbook, take film, dance, music, robotics and other after school enrichment activities. Athletics - A legitimate, well-run PE program with enthusiastic instruction and basketball, volleyball, football teams throughout elementary and middle school. Music - Every child takes both general and instrumental music as part of their Westerly experience. Spanish - Kindergarten through 8th grade all the kids get introduced to the Spanish language through a dedicated Spanish instructor. Leadership - This is quite possibly one of the most amazing parts of the curriculum. Continuing on the theme of whole child education the Director of Student Affairs leads an amazing program that goes so beyond student council, creating leadership opportunities for so many children. Programs like student council, district representatives, green team, etc., start in Kindergarten and the kids grow in responsibility as the children grow themselves. Each child also gains leadership responsibilities as a student mentor, where each older student is paired with a younger student as a mentor. Service learning and field studies - As the kids grow in maturity so do the service learning and field studies. Our children have enjoyed trips to Catalina and other local camps, but the highlight of the program is a one week trip in 8th grade where the whole class travels to Nicaragua to conduct a service learning project, practice their spanish, and are exposed to a different culture and way of life that they are used to. Community - Westerly is a place where without question every family places a priority on securing a great, well-rounded education for their children. Being in an environment like this is so fantastic. Independent school is not cheap, but in our minds it's the best gift we can give to our children. Westerly also offers significant financial aid support, so if that is an issue be sure to discuss your situation with the school to see if they can make something work for your family. P.S. This may sound like a paid ad, but it's our true feelings about this place. It's really special.

Parent Warning: Weaver Elementary…read more Los Alamitos USD is one of the best districts in California, and we love being part of this community. Most schools -- Hopkinson, Rossmoor, Lee -- truly live up to that reputation. But parents need to know: Weaver Elementary, under Principal Dr. Schmidt and teacher Colette Sullivan, is not safe for children. Here's what happened to our kindergartener. For three weeks straight, he was removed from Ms. Sullivan's class and left alone in the principal's office for hours every day -- without our knowledge. He was not disruptive. His only "offense" was not finishing assignments. Instead of being supported, he was dropped in a chair with no desk, no guidance, and no instruction, while his classmates learned. We only discovered this because our child became so fearful that he broke down and begged us not to take him to school. The secretary confirmed the routine, and Dr. Schmidt himself admitted it happened multiple times and defended it as acceptable. The school kept no records and never notified us. Think about that: a six-year-old child, abandoned daily, completely unsupervised. Imagine the damage to his trust in school, his sense of safety, his joy of learning. For weeks he sat silently, terrified, while we thought he was in class. When the district was alerted, the superintendent investigated and disciplined both Dr. Schmidt and Ms. Sullivan. That discipline alone proves how unacceptable their conduct was. Yet, shockingly, both remain employed at Weaver, still responsible for children. This was not discipline. This was not education. This was neglect. And it happened under the direct leadership of Dr. Schmidt and Ms. Sullivan. After transferring to Hopkinson Elementary, our son's experience was completely different. Principal Garcia and his new teacher welcomed him, supported him, and restored his love of learning. He is thriving again -- proof that Los Al schools can be extraordinary. But Weaver is not. The leadership failed. The teacher failed. But I'm glad the superintendent's discipline did bring accountability but it won't bring back the damage that it did to our child. Parents deserve to know the truth: Weaver Elementary, under Dr. Schmidt and Ms. Sullivan, is not a school you should ever risk sending your child to. Until there is a complete change in leadership, avoid this school at all costs. Do not make the mistake we did. Do not send your child to Weaver Elementary.

Grace Delk, the unhinged Director of mental health, is unkind, antagonistic and pedantic. In other…read morewords, a model public servant. During the special ed orientation I asked about the educational background of the school psychologists. Her response... "Why are you asking that?" She then went on a hostile rant defending her staff, but I just want to know about the people counseling my kid. Grace Delk is mentally and emotionally broken and gas no place in a setting that counsels children. BTW, Grace is not used to dealing with substantive questions from parents, as the only other parent questions were: 1. Who are you? 2. Will my special ed kid get to socialize with the 'normal' kids? Pathetic, which is why Grace Delk is herself, pathetic. A mental health professional? Absurd. If she really felt offended or that my question was hostile, she would have tried to diffuse the situation. Instead she answered emotionally. This is the darkness in the heart of man, which Joseph Conrad wrote about most eloquently.

Good programs. Friendly helpful staff. The aquatics program…read moreis fantastic. It's got different levels of difficulty to fit everyone's needs. They have classes daily ( M-F ); starting at 9:00 AM and the last class starts at 5:30 PM. The pool is heated to a nice comfortable temperature. I'm 78 years young and totally enjoy the variety of aerobic and non-aerobic exercises offered.

This organization is a good one. The center offers so much for the participants and the staff are…read moreall wonderful and friendly. It's a family environment. I have observed staff with those that participate and the staff is patient, empathetic and very caring. I walk in unannounced and I've only seen happy students and very compassionate and attentive teachers. I would recommend this center. It is wonderful for families that have children with challenges and also has programs that cater to those with a variety physical disabilities.

With a school like Davidson Learning Center, the possibilities are amazing. I'm so impressed with…read morethe specialized one-on-one teaching method and the impact Ms. Sharon has had on my son. I am so excited to watch him grow into a successful young man. It's such a blessing for him to have a learning center that provides the best, most meaningful education, possible.

IEE psycoeducational evaluation made with Dr. Chris Davidson was a wonderful and very complete 85…read morepages, the process was very smooth, her aknowledge and expertise make you feel that you are finally on the right place, the right professiinal that will help you identify your child strenghts, weaknesses, based on observations, work together and some Vineland, BasC evaluations just to mention some, she went through all IEP and student records, and propose great new goals, wonderful recomendations for his development, she have good eye, experience and all requirements to be your professiional evaluator, she went to our IEP and defended her report with kindness and profesionalism, we couldnt ask for more, well yes, we will be enrolling our son in Davidson Learning Center, she have certified instructors who are professionals and work side by side with the students, and we want just the best for our son....we will see you soon dr. Davidson, we are truly Thankful and Blessed to have found you, you are the Best!!

I'm not sure why the district is taking so long to distribute information for the new school…read moreyear... It's been incredibly frustrating trying to communicate with anyone at the school as they seem to have no idea what's going on, or even how to do their jobs. Has anyone else been frustrated with the way this process has been working!

Need better announcements when it's free dress day. I feel bad for all the kids that miss out.read more

Elegant, Simple, Beautiful, Amazing Catholic Church. I can feel holy there, quiet, solemn…read more Parishioners are welcoming to visitors like me.

The church is basically only interested in taking your money. My mother was a devout catholic and…read moreattended church regularly at St. Hedwig until her death. She donated generously. When she passed away, the church couldn't and wouldn't provide last rites for her, have a mass in her name, or comfort the family because as they put it, they were just too busy. Yet, they constantly send envelopes for my deceased mother or anyone at the house to contribute money to the church so they can do things for its congregation. I find that hypocritical. I find the whole way the church treats its "congregation " appalling. They need to quit pushing their political agenda (yes they urge you to vote Republican, even though the top republican is a sociopath and convicted of crimes). I guess you have to be a certain kind of person to be able to get anything let alone compassion from the clergy at this church. Good luck if you need help or kind words from them. All you'll get is an envelope asking for money.

Took my 2 year old here for 2 days.we heard him crying during pickup and saw a teacher using her…read moreelbow to push him down into his seat.their excuse was it was to busy and stressful part of the day.very unprofessional.that was his last day there and lost of payments for the whole month.plus we filed a case with the county to let them know.

The past 4 years elementary here (2021 - 2025) I had to pack lunch for my daughter because no hot…read moreschool lunch program provided like all other schools. There were 25 students from 1st grade to 4th grade, small classrooms, far less students compared with other private schools out there. There were 1 spelling notebook, 4 textbooks (1 for Math, 2 for English, 1 for science used only couple times) for 4th grade. Now my daughter is in big private school for 5th grade, she loves her new school with many classmates/friends (my daughter did not like Heritage after 2 years here, I made her to stay another 2 years, my mistake. I regret it all the time). Her new school has 10 text books with many different subjects for 5th grade. Heritage taught her 4th grade Math good, but reading & writing here is not good enough for 4th grade. I had to spend a lot money for private tutor to teach her reading & writing since 2024. Heritage told parents to push back 1 grade lower for all elementary students (not good to tell students to detain grade at kindergarten or elementary because this grade level is very easy. It is common for students at other schools to skip or jump grade, not detain grade. I find out all her friends were done with Heritage and now in same new school with her, they all pushed back 1 grade except my daughter). My daughter was old enough (birth date) and good knowledge to be in 4th grade last year, but they put her in 3rd grade at beginning until I made a request to talk to Ms. Shalane that I'll apply my daughter to 5th grade this year (2025), no matter what! All parties, events at Heritage, parents are required to bring food or decorated supplies for class. The tuition is high, lack of teachers (some teachers left Heritage), boring Heritage Montessori school. I'd say Heritage is only good for 2 years old children to 2nd grade students. The good thing about this school is school starts 8:30am for kindergarten to 4th grade, TK and children start 9am. Students at younger age can sleep a lil bit more. Most other schools start 7:50am or 8:00am for TK to 8th grade.