Emelita Street Elementary School

It's a very average school. The teachers and staff don't seem to care. It's really disorganized. Who ever wrote the last glowing review must be a staff member. It is not the worst place ever but it is nothing to brag about.
—Submitted by a parent

BEST SCHOOL EVER!!!!! This school has excellent teachers and staff members. They help my child with his work, personalities, and are there to help anyone with anything. The principal is a very strong person and is not afraid to speak her mind. She helps the school function and does much of the behind-the-scenes work. The academics at Emelita are fabulous. They challenge my child and make sure he always has some kind of hard work to do. It will help my child in his future. THANK YOU EMELITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

If you have a choice go somewhere else, anywhere else. The place is depressing. The teachers teach to the test and they can't even get that right because the scores have seriously dropped. The few good teachers are afraid to speak up and the principal is always hiding in her office. There are no extras for the kids like other schools. You can join the pta but it looks like the school doesn't want the parents involved. They seem to be trying and they do a few things here and there. They used to do all kinds of fun stuff in the past but rumor is the lady gave up. The teachers dont want to do anything extra to make things better, I guess its only about a paycheck to them. There is no pride in their work. The school is a total mess and it shows! It makes me sad and a little afraid everyday I have to drop my kid off at this place. It shouldn't be that way, school should be good and safe place.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is horrible, careless with our children and documents from them, the people working in the front office are rude and do not give explanations when you come with a complaint or question ... not even able to say good morning and let alone a smile from them personally every time I go I have met rude people, with bad attitude always .. if they treat us rudely to us as adults ... how do they treat our children?. Also my child has been changed teachers three times in four months and I don't think that is good for the child nor the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

PI school and it shows. Unsatisfied with some negative staff attitudes and lack of parent/teacher connections. I have four children and this has been the worst Elementary yet. My child is unhappy with being mistreated by the teacher only to have the Principal to act as if my child is WRONG about the teacher's ways of behaving. This kind of humiliation leads to poor self esteem and lower academic success! Our taxes pay for this??
—Submitted by a parent

The principal cares about the students at this school. The teacher quality is top rate/high where there is technology in the classroom. The CST scores for our subgroups were 965 and 918 respectively. BTW, that rates up near the best of the schools. And the kids are happy here. If you are looking for a good community neighborhood school for your child to thrive at and if you care about your child's well being -- then get involved at school to make it great where ever you go. The world does not need any more complainers -- get the facts and do your homework. For most schools look at the sub-groups, talk to the staff, and make up your own mind on what's real. This school is a hidden gem as mentioned previously. This school is for folks looking for a great education in a nice community in a good neighborhood area for their children. The parents who are involved in school go all out to make this a great experience for their children, for ALL children at the entire school site, inclusive of the parents in the classrooms, parents on the councils and parents running and participating in the PTA and booster club. PS the ratings have been manipulated on this site. This is a good school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school was once a great school. It still has great potential. It is tucked in a safe residential area of Encino, with many of it's students living in the surrounding homes. There are a handful of wonderful caring teachers who love their jobs. Unfortunately, the schools Principal seems to be interested in running a business not a school. She is concerned with the school loosing money but she is not concerned with the actual quality of education or classroom environment being offered to the students. She directs the children like soldiers and lacks respect for the parents. She mismanaged the class sizes this year and has left students without a stable classroom, being run by substitute teachers who are clueless how to teach and the children have no routine or schedule. The parents have no reassurance that there will be any resolution for these matters. It is just so sad that a great school in an upscale area, with so many willing and involved parents has gone downhill so quickly. Many parents have pulled their children out. Sadly, I do not see this changing anytime soon, so I would not recommend Emelita.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have thrived at Emelita. The teachers do a great job and I've found our principal to be very supportive. It's a small, safe school and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to parents looking for an elementary school. The smile on my child's face at the end of each day says it all. He loves his school and his teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very sad that this school is not the same it was when my children started there 5 yrs ago. I have seen so many changes. It so saddens me that this schools moral is so low now. It went from a huge sense of community to a no sense of community.. It events are not the same as they used to be, They no longer allow children to wear costumes on halloween and have a parade at the end of the day the all the students look forward to. It is very sad. If I was to have to enroll my child at this school now I would say run and go else where......
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. The teachers do what they can to give the students what they need. Thank goodness for their PTA. They are so involved in creating programs for our kids and always coming up with lots of fun things for the school. My kids are happy there, and that is what is most important.
—Submitted by a parent

The Principal and the Teachers do a great job considering all of the budget cuts. Not enough parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

All the teachers are great, especially Mr. Estrada. This school is very fortunate to have teachers who care a great deal about the students.
—Submitted by a parent

i love emelita because when my child comes home she always says she had a fun filled day
—Submitted by a parent

We love Emelita! It's a small school where the teachers, staff and principal really care about the kids! And since it's a smaller school, you don't get lost in the shuffle like at many of the neighboring schools. The PTA is very active in fundraising and in providing the school with additional resources and equipment not provided by the district. Emelita is a hidden gem!
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are mean with children! Yelling and mistreating the children, All they care about the kids not being absent, because they get payed for the students attendace.
—Submitted by a parent

It's really small and cozy school. I really feel we're like a family with the teachers and parents
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! The teachers and staff are amazing! They truly care about their students.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school! The new principal has made a world of difference. My son has had excellent teachers and he loves his school. The PTA is very involved too - a very motivated group of parents who really care.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school, the PTA is awesome. Keep up the good work!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a little gem in the heart of Encino,CA. My grandson just loves going to school.