As a parent of a student who has been attending Manzanita for 4 years since Forest Kindergarten (…read morenow in 3rd grade ) and another child that is soon to enroll - We are so grateful to have this amazing school so close by. The campus is incredible, grounding , and inspiring for the students and parents - who get to spend time on the land , connecting to nature and learning in symbiosis with the world around them. We have seen our daughter flourish in the last 4 years - first in her confidence, creativity and sense of self - and then in her academics . Her teachers have worked incredibly hard to overcome any challenges she has experienced - gently encouraging and finding the best ways for her to learn. The community is strong and the school works hard to involve the parents in the culture and learning experience. Our personal primary goal as parents is to raise happy and healthy children who will have the ability to adapt, listen and learn in their future. We are very happy with our experience at Manzanita and can't wait to continue our journey under Big Rock.

Simply an outstanding educational experience in every way. Manzanita is an entirely new model for…read morelearning, one that doesn't neatly fit into any established category. Students learn on the land and from the land, supported by teachers trained as mentors for a truly personal, close-knit experience. Your child will be seen, known, and understood here. They will be taught how to think, not what to think. They will be prepared to show up as their most authentic selves. They will be exposed to a curriculum that is much more nuanced and engaging than most people can imagine. Your child will be in community with people who are committed to making the world a better place and often live lives far outside the mainstream. The lunch program is incredible. Tour the school to experience firsthand. Truly amazing.

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!

The most wonderful school with the loveliest teachers and staff. This is where kids are allowed to…read morebe kids! This is where kids develop love for education. I searched high and low to find a school with happy kids. My child had a major separation anxiety and Sycamore really dedicated themselves to help us with transition. He is now thriving and super happy to be there and I genuinely didn't think that would ever happen. Teachers and staff are also available through out the day. Speaking of teachers, Kelsey and Sydney are a dream. Dedicated, sweet, talented and patient. Couldn't have imagined a better place for my kid's to experience their childhood.

We are so happy we chose this school! My kids look forward to going to school every day.read more

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!

Being a Montessori Teacher for 28 years and an employee of Topanga Montessori for a year, I have to…read morehonestly say, that this school embodies everything that Maria Montessori envisioned. From the environment, the original montessori materials, the hand made work, dedicated teachers and the wonderful owners and parents, it is a thriving atmosphere for children to learn independence and self-confidence. Colleen G.

There are only a few times in life where something that is too good to be true, actually is. The…read moreteachers, students, and families involved with Topanga Montessori make the school feel as if it exists in another world. Our son started about two years ago and has quickly adapted to the requirements of this type of school, even though he spends half of the year in a wildly different school in Costa Rica. The reason for this is clear. The teachers and the director are talented and passionate veterans. As if by magic, they're able to train a group of three and four-year-olds to behave as if they were adults! Pretty fantastic to witness. The first time my boy came home and said to me "Daddy we can go play when I'm done picking up my toys", I just about lost it! I love the way they employ their philosophy of focusing on a child's passions instead of applying a strict set of lessons to all students. Sadly, our son will soon move on to kindergarten and we will be forced to leave this Amazing school. What a fun place. Great parents, too!

My son joined in third grade after coming from a private school, and we were welcomed so warmly…read morefrom the start. He has truly loved this year. He talks about the science program all the time, and he's been so excited about the enrichment opportunities the school offers. It's been really special to watch him feel engaged and supported in that way. From a parent perspective, it's honestly been eye-opening. Coming from private school, where everything carried an extra cost... tutoring, after-school care, lunches... it feels completely different here. Hot lunches are included. After-school care is available at no cost. If a child needs extra support, tutoring is offered without an added fee. It's just incredible to see how many resources are available, and how much support is built in, simply for being part of the school community.

My daughter is graduating after 5 years at this sweet school. We were so lucky to have found it and…read moreis like a private school where everyone all of the administration knows the names of each and every student. it is situated on many acres of land and has a beautiful view. there are multiple playgrounds and a sweet area for the kinder and PK, with a garden. They go on science hikes around the land, outings to museums and participate in beach cleanup. the fifth graders have little buddies, with the small kindergarten children. They look after this is a great source of pride for my daughter. I can honestly say we will miss the school dearly, and we are so grateful to it for raising our sweet child, and keeping her innocent.

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.

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!

My son enjoyed his stay at LES! Learning kindness and compassion while being taught how to…read morethink...not what to think. They are truly a small but mighty group. Going into the RED GATES and coming out through them in the end will be felt positively and with fond memories for a lifetime.

While my daughter attended this school the head of school asked to keep one of the hate mails I…read moreshowed that I received about the other parents spreading hateful lies about me. When we left the school because of the lack of education my daughter was receiving. The head school weaponized that letter to discredit our family. My husband was on the board at the time which enraged the head of school that we would leave. Do you know who was harmed by this action she manipulated, my daughter. Unsubstantiated rumors are harmful to everyone. I would never have any child suffer the hurt ego from an adult. Stay far away from this school

This is the best middle school in California! My daughter absolutely loved it…read more Kathy Jamison was great. We asked her to fill out my daughter's entertainment application and a letter of recommendation, and Mrs. Jamison did it so fast! She was always there for us! We also loved the whole office staff especially Megan! She always helped with a great smile! Teachers were great! My daughter went to Calabasas High School and still misses her Chime Charter a lot)))

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