Vena Avenue Elementary School

WOW! I appreciate the racially diverse environment for my child and his peers. The staff is ALWAYS exceptionally friendly, helpful and go above and beyond what their "title" is. The principal has strong leadership skills, motivating and runs a tight ship, while mindfully recognizing each student, staff and teachers have different needs and great qualities to bring to the school. Our son has been in the Magnet program since 1st grade (back when 1st grade existed there in Magnet) and we have been pleased each year with his teacher and the curriculum that helps him reach his potential. There is a parent ran Board specifically for the Magnet families that work throughout the year fundraising for extra enrichment programs and field trips for the Magnet students. Magnet teachers work very hard and closely to support this parent ran Board. My ONLY wish for this school in general would be more parent involvement with fundraising and showing up for events. Vena Ave/Magnet could not make it any easier for the families to get involved...the parents have to make it a priority. The children are all very friendly and eager to learn!
—Submitted by a parent

I wish i could give this school a zero.It is racially diverse and the staff is bad.

My daughter has been has been in the Magnet Program since 1st Grade. She has learned so much . The program has excellent teachers. The curriculum is challenging and extra academic programs are offered to enhance and challenge the students learning. The booster club uses their funds to purchase Quest for Science, First in Math and also field trips. I am pleased with the Principal and the office staff who make the school environment welcoming.
—Submitted by a parent

We decided to remove our child from Balboa's waiting list and have her placed in Vena's magnet after meeting with the magnet coordinator and comparing reviews. We felt that Vena would be a more nurturing enviroment and there seems to be a strong sense of community. The teachers are warm, caring and the curriculum well structured. They engage in creative discussion and are encouraged to be individuals- even in our other daughters non-magnet kinder class. We are pleased with our decision, after all our children's self esteem is as important as their academic success and key to achieving such success. I would also like to mention that the office staff is always welcoming, friendly and supportive. This school is a hidden gem.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased with Vena Ave. Elementary School. I have 4 boys, my youngest is now a 5th grader at Vena Magnet. My 3 older boys have all attended the Magnet Program at Vena. I have one child in Middle School and the other 2 are now in college and are all doing extremely well due to the strong academic foundation that they received at Vena. Vena's teachers are outstanding educators that go beyond their duty. They ensure that their students have every opportunity to succeed. Furthermore, Vena has an excellent Magnet Coordinator that is very dedicated to the students needs. The Magnet Program also has a very dedicated booster club that raises money to fund education programs. In addition, Vena has a great principal. She is very devoted to the school, students and parents. The administration is also wonderful. I highly recomment this school....
—Submitted by a parent

I recently inrolled my son in this school for this coming school year , and so far they have been very nice to us.They told me that they were going to put my son in the wayting list and wouldnt be able to know if he was actually going to be accepted untill sep but they only took 2 weeks i was ver happy to know he got in. Its so close to my job less then 5 min away.....
—Submitted by a parent

I would like to say this school is Amazing! If you are thinking of sending your child to attend Vena Magnet you will not be disappointed! My daughter graduated from the 5th grade Magnet last week with honors and had a wonderful time. She was challenged every day and learned so much, from one of the best 5th grade teachers! (fyi they are all great) Ms. Lew the Magnet Coordinator is exceptional! She is always there for you to answer any of your questions in a prompt & efficient manner. She is dedicated to the students, parents and extremely involved in the school. I appreciate everything she has done. The staff is superb, the teachers are great educators and role models to the children! This is the school to bring your child!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a gem of a school!!! My daughter is just finishing up her first year here in the magnet program and we couldn't be happier. Vena has very strong academic and arts programs. Everyone is friendly, dedicated, and on top of things; office staff, nurse, teachers, and administration alike. I really can't say enough about her teacher. She has a very dynamic, well rounded teaching style which challenges the students while keeping them very interested in learning. My daughter has grown as a student and really loves being at this school. Additionally, we have a very involved parent booster club. Solid education, well rounded enrichment programs, dedicated people; I highly recommend the Vena Magnet program!
—Submitted by a parent

Sending my daughter to Vena was the best decision we have made four our family. The attention to detail and dedicated attention to my daughter has made a visible impact in our daughter s education. Currently my first grade child is reading at a third grade level and I find that very impressive and a great asset to our child s future. I truly believe the teaching staff at Vena Avenue Elementary School care and take pride in teaching the children of the future. Thank You Tommy Chavez (Father)
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter now now on 2nd grade has grown so much academically. She really likes to be challenge and here she found that challenge. I wanted to put her in the magnet program after havinga great success with my other 2 kids who also attended magnet. One now a Junior at college and the other a senior at high schoool. I have overall been very pleased with the magnet program at Vena. If you are reading this it means you care about your child's future. I highly recommend this school and urge you to get involve in your child's education as much as possible. It will be well worth it in the future. Parents involment needs to be improve accross the board. Vena Elementary magnet program continuolsy is looking for ways to get parents involve. The academic program is challenging and aggressive and the kids really get involve. Highly recommend it!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends the Magnet program at Vena. Currently in 3rd grade, she has attended since 1st grade. The magnet program is excellent. Ms. Garcia (1st Grade teacher), Ms. Debuque (2nd Grade teacher) and now Ms. Bender (3rd Grade)are all wonderful. With parent support the Magnet program is able to provide many additional learning opportunities for the magnet children. The Magnet program has strong participation from the parents and Ms. Lew (the Magnet Coordinator) has done a wonderful job in her position. My daughter has been identified Gifted/Talented in the Intellectual category, and I can honestly say that I can attribute that to the fact that she has adapted well to the Vena Magnet environment. She enjoys going to school and loves her teachers. I recommend the Vena Magnet program to anyone looking for a school that will develop and nurture their child's academic abilities.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends the Magnet school currently in 1st grade. I transfered her here for the magnet program and she is reading at almost 3rd grade level as well as math, etc. She loves her teacher, Ms Garcia, who is an energetic smiling woman :-) They have many extra liberal arts programs for the Magnet students such as Science, Dance/Theater, Orch/Choir (for 4th/5th. However, I have been very unhappy with the resident school that this magnet is located on. I knew this going into it, but didn't realize how much of an 'outsider' I would be. About half of the parents only speak spanish and most parent meetings are translated. There is very little parent involvement, esp for a school of this size. In summary, I will be moving my daughter back to the school she came from to the SAS program there.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, great supervising, i love to have my two kids at thiis school.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is great my daughter is so happy to attend also love there workshop for parents program.
—Submitted by a parent

Very strong magnet program and dedicated teachers. My daughter loved her experience in the magnet program and I highly recommend it.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student myself, I feel this school is great. The office staff is always quick to help or direct me in the right way. The administration is easy to talk to and always have a caring attitdude towards any situation. I could not ask for a better place for my child to learn at.
—Submitted by a parent

The school appears to offer a challenging topics to my child.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children attended Vena and adored the faculty and staff. They raised their test scores, improved their academic confidence and excelled in their art programs. LA's Best was great and the teachers and administration became a part of our family. The school offered wonderful extension opportunites for students in magnet and resident school. The fifth grade teachers were amazing and the RSP teacher and aide worked wonderfully with the classroom teacher. I cannot give high enough praise to the Vena staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Vena Ave. Magnet programs is one of the best in the LAUSD. The magnet coordinator has been there for years as a teacher and now as the magnet coordinator. Their curriculum is outstanding and the teachers are warm and inviting.
—Submitted by a former student

This school was a great experience for my daughter. She enjoyed going there, and she grew a great deal during her two years there. She went to the magnet program, and it was fantastic for her.
—Submitted by a parent