Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy

Bright Star is a really good school. They make you think of college and TRY their best to help you. They have fun and academic trips and I think that was the best experience I had there. Though, its not the same as 3 years ago when Hilger actually reinforced rules, students have rebelled more. Maybe in a few years the school will be more organized but i think they need a lot more staff and mentors. They really screwed over a lot of students that took alot of wrong classes and they dont offer many extra curricular or AP classes. The new grading system of standard based grading has its negatives and its positive but as a student, we all know its more on the negative side. The school needs to get back to Hilgers old rules (Missing Assignments, Uniform, Hair ect) , Get organized (they really need more $$) , Fit each students needs, and get students to start acting like a family again. Parents, remember that other students can either build or break your son/daughter . Even the adults/teachers get annoyed of the sudden changes of the school,

I was a student here for 5 years & it was definitely a mixed experience. The reading program (which students always complain about) is probably one of the most valuable things Bright Star has to offer. I can safely say it helped me prepare for the all the reading I need to do in college. The WLAC program is of immense help, considering it gave me a taste of what school's like in a more competitive field. Some teachers/staff members left lasting impressions on me & helped mold me into a mature young adult. As much as I'd like to continue on the positive, I can't. The way the school operates is one of the most disorganized things I'll ever experience. Their grading & reading systems change almost yearly, leaving students in danger of not graduating. Many of the rules are plain asinine. Some of the higher-ups love to play favorites, offering those favorites all the help while leaving others to fend for themselves. I had to do all of my college apps with no help whatsoever from the man we all placed our trust in; in the end, it was my own work that got me into one of the best schools in the nation. Overall, it's a good alternative to LAUSD, but the school still needs major improvement.

I will like to acknowledge the great team work over at BrightStar. As a Parent I admire how the teachers take great interest in supporting every student by assisting them achieve their educational goal!. I also commend the teachers efforts in making the students understand how education should be their great priority and how they can invest their time being more productive. My first has attended for 3 consecutive years and has not only built a great rapport with his teachers they take the time to keep communication with Me. My other son just began attending this year and the teachers facilitated his transition easier than other schools would. The Principal has done so much for our school is increadible. Great Work!!! These are the positive feed back that I have for the Teachers and Staff. Sincerely, Mrs. Salinas
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter hs been in this school for 3 consecutive years...the first one was okay, the second one was not good and the third year was excellent. I as a parent will accept that children are sometimes irresponsible and so cause their own failure, but I didn't give up! I am very happy to say that my child has learned from that. This is a great school. I'm definetley with them on their strict rules. Mrs. Bonilla is a great principal.
—Submitted by a parent

To all parents looking for an alternative to the rat race that is LAUSD give Bright Star a try. My child was at a crossroads, she could have went either way.Since attending Bright Star she has made a complete turnaround.The one-on-one with instructors, the attentive counselors and the high standards in which students are held to has rekindled my teens love for learning. And the best part is the student body and administration are like family. I'm so grateful to have found Bright Star.
—Submitted by a parent

Me siento muy orgullosa que mi hijo asista a esta escuela puedo ver su progreso en sus buenas calificasiones siempre estan pendientes de eyos tanto en estudios tareas y avances como en su alimentacion todo lo que nosotros como padres buscamos para nuestros ninos lo mejor y siempre hay mucha informacion felicidades a todo el persona de la escuela y gracias por preocuparse por nuestro ninos Dios los Bendiga por esa gran labor que se esmeran por aser todo lo mejor para nuestros ninos. Clara Gonzalez madre de un nino de noveno grado
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a great academic curriculum. They prepare their students to go to the University. The students are rewarded with trips at the beginning and at the end of the year. These are incentives for the students to do better, they know that if they don't do good with the classes they don't go to end of the year trip.
—Submitted by a parent

It was recently announced that Bright Star Secondary is the recipient of the 2011 California Distinguished School Award!
—Submitted by a teacher

Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy is a great school! The programs are always changing for the better. Students we're not passing in the prior years and the principal decided that another program be created to help those students get the credits. The program is called Elements, the teachers assign homework, but the students crumble it and don't ever go back to it. The school also has a Junior college program where, some students go to West LA college in the morning to take college courses and then in the afternoon they take high school courses. The school is prestigious and wants only the best for its students. Of course everyone complains about the long, dreadful hours, the homework, the online assignments and the strict rules, but in the long run, it's helpful. I love my school, even though it's strict and the curriculum is hard. We have sports, clubs, cheer&dance, ASB and two computer rooms. This school is going to be a high ranking, prestigious school in the future!
—Submitted by a student

This school is disorganized, they make up rules as they go, they change A's to F's if a child being absent due to illness! The principal does not addresses concerns. I must say some teachers are dedicated; but others terrorize our children w the modem of "My classroom, my rules your parents do not count here". Students are racists toward the few african-american students and cruel racists jokes are made and the admin. apparently does not have knowledge of this; but if your child forgets a pen, belt or is growing a NATURAL facial hair they are sent to CP and they have the nerve to force the kids to shave at school with their 'CLEAN FACE" policy but their own teachers have facial hair and outrageous haircuts! Some teachers wear revealing tops and tight clothing. I was asked to be an embassador for this school; but I don't intend to go into the community and lie to people. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO THIS SCHOOL! I agree that ELEMENTS program is discouraging children to pursue college careers. You do not solve a problem by segregating. Get organized and listen to your parents of ALL RACES !
—Submitted by a parent

this school is not that good of a school but i went there for one semester and they just really don't have it under control. the school is very unorganized and they make up rules as they go. they also changed any C's to F's its just not a really school so please don't go to that school. they make students stand up if they didn't do their homework but yet they want to send students to CP (connecting place) which is like the deans office if they didn't bring a belt. the school is really unorganized and isn't ran well. i dislike the school
—Submitted by a student

I am not pleased with this school, no homework is given, My child was put into an program called Elements which segregates them from the other Bright Star students. No child left behind is not at all represented at this school. The school focus is set up to fail students. My child's classmates from their honors program informed them that the students in the Elements program will NOT go to college. I am not pleased with the dismal at the end of the day for the Elements student. I was informed by a parent who child is in the honors program had to stand up if homework is not completed. My child received a progress report was excellent...but I still questioned her grades...I now see why we as parents in the Element setting do not meet in a group but one on one. the office staff is not friendly at all until they are approached by a Spanish speaking parent and immediately a bond is formed. There were some things that I disagreed with at my child's former school but I addressed the matter and it was explained and I continued to support my child. My child enjoyed her middle school, but every since day one my child has not been pleased with this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Bright Star Academy has a great and challenging academic programs, That gives their students the right tools for their journey in the real world. In this school every student is an invidual and No!! student is left behind. Special Thanks to its founder for giving our Kids this opportunity.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic school. My children have really progressed academically and are really enjoying themselves.
—Submitted by a parent

After attending school for five days, I have come to know some of the students and teachers up close and personal. I have fallen in love with Stella and its inhabitants. My earlier review showed a lack of intimacy. I am know a Stella Mom.
—Submitted by a parent

My son went here but needed resources in math! They were very late initiating it and he was too far behind by mid-semester. They switched to block schedule the day before school started which was killer for my son. They were waiting on funding for arts & performance classes and my son was a dancer. 2 hour classes, 6 min break and another 2 hour class was brutal however those students who thought in a linear fashion did very well especially because of the use of the Study Island CA Standards computer program. Teachers lacked experience but put in 100% heart and pushed learning by rote and mucho reading time. The best feature is the young staff is computer literate and communicate all progress to other teachers. Kids did not get home until 7PM. They have since returned to the 1 hr. sched! Resource staff would make this school superior!
—Submitted by a parent

I must agree with Bright Star has outstanding teachers, but Principle Kim as stated needs to become a true leader. My kids stress level was so high, I was doing more damage then good. I've decided to take them out of Bright Star and they are currently attending a diffrent school, they have time for family, friends and yet have great grades oh and they actualy get a lot more sleep for fresh minds in the morning! Field trips are very misleading my son has yet to recieve his 8th grade trip he is now in 11th grade. They have been other issues that we have had with Kim and it was very sad when we saw a wonderful principal Stickley leave and Sister Ramona. Just for other parents it took alomost a year for my kids transcripts to be sent to there current school.
—Submitted by a parent

BRIGHT STAR IS THE BEST! has outstanding teachers, however the Principal KIM needs to become a true leader, implement an actual sports and extracurricular program. 10 hours of school plus unecessary extra homework makes students into zombies not kids.. they should be challenged but are they forgetting they need to have a little time to be kids and enjoy life. the field trips are always misleading and 7 out of 10 times horrible organization leads to chaos and what should be a great learning experience turns into a nightmare.. this school has a lot of potential.
—Submitted by a parent

Currently I have an 11th, and 8th grader attending Bright Star. Teachers and staff are truly concerned and willing to help their students at all time. Involvement from parents, teachers and staff, make Bright Star a great place to attend school. High standards are set for students and expectations to meet them are high. Parent involvement, after school programs, sports, weekend school and college courses are just a few innovative ideas which the school uses to help students improve and advance in their education. Students are held accountable for their citizenship and work ethics. Passage of grade is not based on social promotion.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has provided a grounded education for students, with a diverse background, that prepared them and exposed them to a diverse curriculum and also promotes education as its basis for success.