Helen Bernstein High School

The "parent" that wrote the review below mine about STEM Academy is somewhat misinformed. 1/3 of the teachers are not long-term subs, more like 3 out of 16. The principal is not aloof. She is brand new at her job, and, while not perfect, works very hard and is loved by most of the faculty. I can't speak for the students, but I do not hear the kind of complaints from them that i have heard about principals past. I've also seen her generosity toward individual students on more than one occasion. She DOES know students. True, there are unhappy teachers, unfortunately, but much of that is due to behavior on the part of those 3 or so teachers. i have not seen students affected by this "divided" faculty. Finally, I doubt that students learning English feel that they have no support at STEM. They have lots of it, both in and out of the classroom, and, I believe, they know it. I would advise this "parent" to visit the school, talk to EVERYONE involved, and form a more informed opinion about the goings-on at STEM.
--Submitted by a teacher

STEM Academy ONLY. Though STEM may look good on paper, and the kids in the Academy seem great, the school is very DISFUNCTIONAL. Almost a third of the teachers are long term subs, I suppose to save on money. The principal is aloof and does not know the students. There is a heavy handed approach and many unhappy teachers. The faculty seem very divided. This division affects the students and I am concerned. Students learning English have no support at all. STEM seems to have an "us versus them" mentality.
--Submitted by a parent

To the student who implied that the success in the Raytheon Engineering games was due to STEM-- two out of the three students who represented our school were from BTLR and only one was from STEM. As a student, I can admit that our school may not be the best developed just yet, but we're making significant progress. We've already established seven AP classes between all academies within three years, and there will definitely be more next year.
--Submitted by a student

Well as former Helen Bernstein Hs student i really dont think hbhs is a good school because the school is full of bad influence people that do drugs and drink. I just think that the staff that work there should be more alert about what the students are doing. I also think when there is a class of 45 students at once it is hard to learn i think the average class should have aleast 28 not more or not less. I was at a class that wasfull it is not a good thing. Now i attend Glendale High it is a way better school beccause i thing the school has a better environment for the students and the staff and the rating of the school says it all GHS test socers r above average that means GHS has better students and students that want to suceed. HBHS has good students but the students in general r not that good.
--Submitted by a student

Look i am a student in AME academy i have nothing to complain about this school because well this school is great as i have witnessed the only bad academy is APEX academy thats the worse!!!! It is full of trouble theres many fights there and lots of students affiliated with gangs there its the worse academy there is in the bernstein complex. Since i am a student in ame academy i love it the teachers always are commited to helping there students they stay after school to tutor the students, on their on time, they help you in case ur in danger of failing, there are the best teachers in my opinion they think of the students first always and how they can help them improve. This year i have seen my academy get closer much closer i am very proud to be in ame.
--Submitted by a student

the teachers are good but the principal is not ...i could say not into the job or something or does not have much experience running a school
--Submitted by a student

In regards to the teacher who seems to imply that school is fine. Well receiving first place in the Engineering games may be something to be proud of, but you have to consider the rest of the school. The overall appearance and performance, STEM may have shown progress, but please account for the other SLCs. I am a student from the school and there are a lot of things I can personally say that are improper. A lot having to do with students who just don't care about their futures, etc. As stated from the parent who had left and earlier review "There are no consequences for students' actions, and the students know it. They show up late, are truant, and some are very defiant. The administration does very little about this. This school needs a lot of help. The students, who do want to learn, are very frustrated or want"
--Submitted by a student

Stem is the only good SLC, as I witnessed, AME and BTLR students are just smokers, drinkers, and teens in gangs. DONT send your child to this school unless you get them in stem. Please take my advice and spare your child!!
--Submitted by a parent

HBHS took the best teachers from the local schools and developed great programs. This school won 1st place in the Engineering games this year for the entire city of LA. Over 90% of its graduating seniors are college-bound. A handful of students are all-city top athletes. The school is a model for project based learning, and teachers and administrators from schools all around come to observe what's being done right. Several teachers and students have achieved national recognition for the work they are doing here, and are continuing to do. What more do you want from a school?
--Submitted by a teacher

I can understand the frustration of the parent that just wrote a review before me. For a school in only its second year, there are many flaws with the building design that simply will not change and the physical and degradation, though mostly cosmetic, would make many justifiably concerned about the the presence of gangs. I think it's important to remember that public schools don't intend for the growth and prosperity of gangs. Just the opposite it true. I agree that consequences for poor academic performance, poor attendance, and behavioral misconduct are not what everyone would like. Maybe too many issues seem to be glaringly ignored. I do not think this is willful on the part of the administration. They are only using the tools they have been limited by the laws and regulations. Give back public schools the right to deny admittance, like private , magnet, and charter schools.
--Submitted by a teacher