La Canada High School

What makes this school great is the quality of its students, who are clearly being pushed by their high-achieving parents. As busy as these parents are, they are extremely generous with both time and money. Teachers and administrators are important, but if the students are coming from homes where hard work and diligence are not valued, the kids will see academic achievement as "not cool" and it will be a school of slackers. For many years, we paid through the nose for a private school, in order to provide our children with motivated peers. While LCHS is certainly not as intimate and "touchy-feely" as our old private school, our children's peers are top-notch and great, motivating influences on them. In this school, achievement is "cool". I'm sure that one could find the partiers and slackers, but they don't seem to dominate the scene. Or perhaps we are fortunate that our kids are not drawn to that, so far. I firmly believe that school can only do so much. It really is up to us parents, and what goes on at home.
—Submitted by a parent

I grew up in this school district and i loved the community. This school in particular was a family! Teachers are amazing but, i think some parents believe that teachers should take the place of their own parental involvement. They are teachers, we are parents, the roles are different. If you want a great education, this is the place. If you want babysitting services than find a preschool not a high school.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is a 10 because of the smart kids attending the school. Then the smarter population want to get into the school because of the other smarter kids (and rumours that the school is a 10) and it is a circle that doesn't stop. The teachers are "ok" and have it easy teaching there with very little teaching effort as with smart kids they do well on their own anyways! They don't go out of the way like at some schools so the teachers should not get the credit, with exception of a minor few. The office makes parents feel like they are not wanted and couple of the staff treated me like I was a child and made me not want to come in to volunteer anymore. What's the point? I have younger siblings that will not be attending this school because of the attitude of certain staff there. My oldest had a very good counselor and grateful for that. And some of the staff are very kind and helpful but some are rude and act like they own the school which makes it an unwelcome feeling.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from LCHS in 1966. The second graduating class. My father worked endless hours as a president of the school board to help create an outstanding school system for all of the students of La Canada. It was a wonderful school, and we were all very proud to be Spartans. I have been in education for 40 years in Calif. NJ and Tn and LaCanada was always my standard. I am so very sad to read the comments of the parents and former students of LCHS. It is a disappointment and I hope that things will begin to improve. Students and parents deserve better than lazy administrators, and mediocre teachers.

My education at La Canada High School (class of 1998, though I graduated a year early in 1997) was stellar. I learned how to learn, how to think for myself, and how to help others to learn. I am still in contact with several of my teachers from my time there (shout out to Mr. Carney, Mrs. Caswell and Mrs. Compeau!!) and fondly remember the strict, but compassionate dean of discipline Hope Ricewasser who was always there to guide us. I participated in Marching Band, Basketball, Drama, AP Classes, Language clubs, Science Clubs and always had things to do. I have to disagree with some of the other reviews here that say the kids are loaded up with busy work, or that minorities are not tolerated (minorities make up 41% of the school population) or that everyone is a snotty rich kid. Not only did my level of homework seem reasonable for my classes (even my AP science classes) but it wasn't "busy work", it applied to what we were learning and prepared me for college, where the homework load is much heavier. If you molly-coddle your children until they turn 18, they will not be prepared for life, which is what your job is as a parent. Homework and deadlines are part of life.

An over rated school that is insensitive to various ethnic and minorities in the neighborhood. The teaching professionals are quite stale in their tenure and have been in place for a long, long time. As such, not much improvements have taken place in their quality of classroom instruction. Exacerbating the problem is the student body from a neighboring community that is surprisingly exclusive in its intolerance for anyone or anything outside of the accepted norm. In the end, social interactions among various groups of students are quite limited. School cohesion is lacking and the overall experience as a child attending this school suffers. A very un-California like experience. Parents contemplating a move here should consider other school districts around the area like South Pasadena and San Marino.
—Submitted by a parent

i completely agree with the review below, this school scores well because of extracurricular tutors outside of school, the teaches and administrations is weak and full of politics
—Submitted by a parent

Very over rated school. High scores are partially the result of parents hiring tutors. Math department is very poor. Many students skate through taking cooking and teachers aid. Other students are over loaded on AP classes that are mostly busy work. Teachers are no better than other schools and school administration is spotty. Good football coach.
—Submitted by a parent

If you have a special needs child, you will have to watch like a hawk, fight like a tiger, and be ready to sue the District if you don't get justice. 3 of my children graduated from LCHS, 1 in elementary, 1 in the HS. IQs 120-150. Special needs often have nothing to do with intelligence. If your child is "different" in any way, watch out for teacher ostracism. SpEd District Dept fights to keep down cost at expense of children. Thank God I had enough $ to sue them and get justice and get 1 of mine into a private school, to which children are entitled if the local public school fails them.
—Submitted by a parent

Highly, highly over-rated school. Although there are some good teachers, too many of them are lazy. Great grades are given out like candy in order to keep the city's property prices up. My child took FOUR years of German are got straight A's...but she never got a firm grip on the language and certainly couldn't speak it (but thanks for the A's anyway!). Kids do well at this school despite the teachers...we hire tutors and spend hours ourselves as parents helping them with their homework.
—Submitted by a parent

Ranked #5 in California open enrollment high schools and in the Top 100 schools nationally based on the College Readiness Index (U.S. News and World Report). Based on 2009 API (Growth) scores, LCHS ranks 9th in California for comprehensive general admission high schools. The high school is located in a safe area. The city itself is semi-rural, with relatively few sidewalks and street lights. Most of the people who live here are college educated and successful but are not pretentious. They live in La Canada primarily for the schools and actively participate in their kids' schooling, sports and activities. They expect their children to get very good grades, gain admission to top universities and be successful. The school district prides itself with its high test scores. The teachers respond by assigning hours of homework and many of them offer help after school hours. Graduates do get into top universities. La Canada is a terrific place to send your children to the public schools if you are willing to focus much of your family life on your kids' education, including making sure they do their homework, study for tests and ask for help when they need it.
—Submitted by a parent

I've sent all my kids here up until the past school year. Teacher quality is average but the parent involvement is what keeps this school going. The high mark on this school is the reflection of the kids' test scores (largely due to tutoring/SAT schools, etc) and unfortunately it isn't necessarily because of the quality of education taught in this school. Music program used to be good under the old director who used to have the diligence and enthusiam that encouraged students. The new music director lacks organization skills and there are a lot of missed opportunities for kids. They are burnt out from increased practice time with no visible difference in skill level. As for the sports, waterpolo team is very good and parent volunteering is what keeps the energy level high at this school. The library is one of the best features of this school and opens until 8pm.
—Submitted by a parent

I moved to la canda because of the schools. Big mistake, the teachers are terrible only a handfull are good. one of the worst teacher is Mrs. Salardino at the Jr. High. The people here are very well off so they send there kids to after school programs and hire tutors these are why the kids bring in good greads IT IS NOT THE SCHOOLS
—Submitted by a parent

At the risk of my property value going down I must say that the LCUSD school system is designed only for students who have high IQ's, high self-esteem, top test scores, and rich parents. Look elsewhere for sports (but for water polo), art, music (used to be good), and any sort of special ed, 504, IEP, counseling (but for one for Jr. High). The teachers only teach to the tests. Like any school there are a few great teachers but the rest range from ok to terrible. Administration is just plain bad. Good for well behaved achievers who can take the competition and don't need the extras - welcome to the neighborhood. But for everyone else - it's 'free' but not worth how it could adversely affect your children. I have 2 children, both not at this High School anymore and we're not alone. Let's do something about this.
—Submitted by a parent

This school's test scores really overrate this school. The only reason it is a top notch academic school is because of the wealthy residents that live around this area and well parented kids. Your children can do just as fine in any other school. The one obvious upside of this school is its safety and there are no gangs around.
—Submitted by a parent

Now i have had 2 kids go through this school and i truly realize how disappointing it is to go here. Even though the test scores are high dont let them fool you because the teachers teach right off the test basically. There are also many racial/drug/fight issues throught the school because it is mixed with the high school, if u where you i would send my kid to a private school in la canada
—Submitted by a parent

terrible middle school I have to say kids can be brutal and most teachers are a dissapointment
—Submitted by a parent

Great 7/8 team of teachers Strong academics and arts program. Music program is just wonderful. Love this school !
—Submitted by a parent

Strong rigorous academics and well supported Arts and athletics. Strong parent support and sound administration. Our son is very happy and will be well prepared for college
—Submitted by a parent

Dr. Dragos is by far the worst principal. My kids have been through this school and it has become worse under his guidance, because he does not seem to care. The teachers recently hired are competent but not great when compared to the recent retirees. Great coaches have made athletics a strong positive at the school. Art and Choir are good as well, unlike the band/orchestra. Your students will be well prepared for college, but watch out for the constant pressure for AP enrollment. Average students struggle, and will slip through the cracks.