The Mirman School

Love the concept, hate the execution! The main emphasis at this school is discipline and class control! The administration is cold and only interested in protecting the teachers (some of whom should have retired years ago.) The teachers expect perfection and will slowly zap your child's spark for learning. There are a few special teachers in the mix but having already sent a gifted child through LAUSD, I have to say, the LAUSD teachers were more caring and much more generous with their time, especially with a kid who wants to learn. Don't be fooled by the smoke and mirrors!
--Submitted by a parent

We entered at US1, as a middle school. It's not for everyone...but it's extraordinary for the right student. Highly competent, passionate teachers & creative programming challenge & inspire. The Art, Music, and Theater programs are top notch & the academics are simply unparalleled. If your child is bright, curious and self-motivated, they will soar, & will be supported in matriculation options ranging from LA's best private high schools to the finest east coast boarding schools, if that's your cup of tea. Schools nationwide are familiar with what it means to be a successful Mirman student, & pursue grads for admission accordingly. The school is a rare environment in LA; there is no private-school pretentiousness. Very high parent involvement by caring, intelligent parents (nannies aren't working the bake sales--the busy executives, entertainment professionals, doctors, lawyers, & scientists who send their kids here are). The kids who go to Mirman are there because they've learned & earned their way in & want to be learn, not because their parents are rich. The school also fosters a supportive, non-competitive community where kids are driven to best themselves, not others.
--Submitted by a parent

The "clustering" is great & very important & Lower School families have big enthusiasm & want to believe this is the perfect place, but here are some sobering facts from Upper School: Kids with Legacy did not get into the top tier schools last year, others with Legacy were Wait listed; others had to go to Public School bc they did not get into ANY schools. The ones who did not get in & were under US4, now realize that they have to tutor -like the others! They really thought there wasn't a math problem - their kid always makes A's & is a Math Mover. I know several success stories where the school never asked where the kids were going.so just how accurate is that Matriculation List? When you've spent about a quarter of a million dollars there and the school doesn't know your kid's name, your opinion may change. You assume the teachers have experience and credentials...Why won't they post it on their website like other schools? Some are not teachers at all! The basics are not taught, as all work is focused on Open House projects. So lots of tangent projects. You have to go to CTY, tutoring or get out to get the fundamentals (except for grammar). Good luck!
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in his second year in the lower school and we couldn't be happier. He was extremely advanced in reading and science, less so in math. They are patiently helping him where he needs work. This school has much less of a Hollywood vibe than other LA area private schools and it feels very inclusive. The parent community is mostly professionals and very involved. I can't speak to the applying out process yet, but the elementary education is top notch. As are the new teacher hires over the last couple of years.
--Submitted by a parent

thank you very much for your insight. our child was humiliated and ostracized at her past school (private). she was not accepted by her peers since she was "different" and no one recognized that she was gifted let alone highly gifted. she loves to learn, loves school, and is imaginative and creative. Luckily this was not extinguished. we just want to find the right place for her where she will be happy and with other children like herself.
--Submitted by a parent

Mirman has been a gift to us as a family of highly-gifted students who were accepted at other top schools but found a large group of peers - finally - at Mirman, where they could discuss ideas rather than waste precious time jockeying for social position. If your child is highly-gifted and loves to learn and enjoys thinking outside the box, check it out.
--Submitted by a parent

To prospective family: Don't believe everything you read from one unhappy reviewer. My child has never received help from outside of school and is doing exceptionally well. I know tons of kids at other top tier schools who get tons of tutoring. Some of those kids are the top math students. Some kids need the help and some kids want to get ahead. It doesn't mean the school or teachers are incompetent. Same at Mirman.
--Submitted by a parent

Mirman has an uncaring, ungifted administration.. The kids and their parents are gifted and still have to intervene in teaching on many levels. Every year 10-12 kids do not get into the schools they apply to - mostly due to the incompetent math program there. All mathlethes and successful kids at Miman get math training in some way outside of school. They now try and keep the Upper School students and do not purposely teach them how to write essays until after US2. The Head of US is a bully. They only care about their bottom line - not the kids.
--Submitted by a parent

I recently graduated from The Mirman School and am now attending a private boarding school. I attended Mirman for 8 years and loved almost every single moment of it. Mirman has a very strong and charismatic faculty, which I enjoyed my entire time there. Unfortunately, many great teachers have left over the hears, which has really changed the chemistry around campus. I must say Mirman was a wonderful school for me, and affected my character development and passion for learning in extremely positive ways. It instilled the importance of community, which I'll be greatful for forever. Unfortunately, I do feel that Mirman is on a slight decline, but if it gets its act together and continues to be a wonderful school, I'd love to send my children there someday. Unfortunately, it did not instill a the best work ethic, and it was hard to adjust to such a rigorous workload when I went to high school. In summary, thank you Mirman, for providing me with the best possible learning environment I can imagine.

My child went to Mirman for 6 years. The academic education is very strong and your child will be well prepared academically for middle and high school. However, I really had the feeling the the administration of the school is corrupt. Very wealthy parents (i.e. large donors) and members of the board seem to get to choose the teachers that their kids get, their kids do not face the same discipline, and they seem to get preferential treatment with help in applying out to other schools for 7th and 9th grades. I found that aspect of the school loathsome. That being said, the children are quite bright and have a nice peer group. I am just glad that I do not have to deal with that environment anymore as frankly I would get a sick feeling in my stomach when I dropped my child off.
--Submitted by a parent