Hubert Howe Bancroft Middle School

I was disappointed the way this principal treats her staff/teachers. I was planning to transfer my kid to this school as referred by my friend whose kids graduated here 4 or 5 yrs ago. My friend told me that the teachers in this school go beyond their job to help her kid developed & improved character. So I decided to inquire unfortunately, while I was in the school office no one is in the reception area .But I could see through a window and heard a high pitch voice coming from the principal's office that she's scolding a staff or teacher or whatever. The way she talked sounds unprofessional & as if no respect to the co- workers. I am a professional parent, how can I transfer my kid in this school if this kind of principal talks that way to her collegues, what more to the students? Not a good example.
—Submitted by a parent

hello my name is elliott alper i began going to this school in 1968 and lasted until 1969 and then to emerson junior high in 1970 and graduated in 1971, bancroft was too small for its p.e. field and the kids were not friendly emerson had good students and i was a friend to a lot of them. im sure that bancroft has changed thruout the years but i would not send my kid there at all, emerson is a great school. i graduated in 1971 and now its 2012 and im happy to fulfill my working years and thats all, bancroft is one star on my list.

Well i think this is a great school so whatever people say wont stop me!!! if it werent a great school then why be in this page!!! so watever

I am very disappointed. Teachers tell you at Open House that they don't want too much parent involvement. My son scored high on the STARS state exam and was placed in AP classes. He had to miss some days due to illness and they were quick to send out truancy letters. He was not performing well in class and I asked him why. He said that the English teacher scolded him for asking a question. After that, he was afraid to ask for help. When my husband went to the school, the teacher seemed shocked and admonished him that he was to use school loop. Both my husband & I are computer literate. I find it to be neither user friendly nor useful but the teachers hide behind it. My son failed 2 of his classes even after teachers promised that if he turned in all assignments and did extra credit work, he would pass. I made sure he did all hw & made 3 20-mile round trips in search of grunion for extra credit to no avail. Based on his grades, I doubt that he learned a thing. The teachers are cowards & liars. Did not want to talk to us face to face & waited until school was out to send out his report card so that it would be too late for us to speak to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

I guess it would depend on your race because if you were not hispanic, your child will get blamed and the teachers will assume that your kid is not going to learn anything. Maybe this is a good school for you, but not for my child.
—Submitted by a parent

This school doesn't have a clue on what the other students are really doing. I understand that they can't watch all kids but they stress on the bullying and I seen it happen in front of their eyes, but they didn't do anything. For example, there was a talent show where a student was rapping and putting another student down. Later after the show the girl was crying. Why is this acceptable? I also think they should change the principal because she doesn't seem to have a clue on what was going on. I liked the previous one better.
—Submitted by a parent

I wrote a review as a teacher about five years ago. It was a positive review then and it absolutely continues to be a positive review now! I truly love the collection of deeply committed teachers and sweet students. I mean, the kids are AAHHH-MAZING! My colleagues are supportive. Overall, I can t imagine being anywhere else. I have worked at two very different schools in my teaching career and I can t say it enough, this is the school for me. I hope to rewrite my review in five more years because I am staying put and I am not going anywhere!
—Submitted by a teacher

Having been a parent of a student for three years at Bancroft, I can honestly say that this middle school is one of the finest in LAUSD. It has many program options for students and one of the best SAS programs because of the enormous dedication from teachers, coordinators and staff in general. Whenever I had a question or concern it was very well addressed and dealt with. As adults, we must know how to resolve conflicts and set good examples for our children and I can imagine that teachers do the same. If you speak in a demeaning way and out of rage about the place where you work and your boss, you always have choices. Go work somewhere else!! Your students do not deserve such bitterness. Think about students first, and always. Bancroft may not be the best place for everyone, but it was certainly the place for my son and for many others who have bloom and succeeded at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Bancroft Middle School is a great place to learn. The majority of our staff member are devoted to ensure student progress. In support of this, our school's API score rose nearly 50 points, which was the highest percent increase in LAUSD district 4. Enough said.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am know a freshmen and that was the worse school I ever went to too many fights and people do drugs.Dont go to this school bad school.The teachers don't even know what going on with there students.
—Submitted by a parent

It's a great school, most of the students get good grades and there's a few slackers.

This school is very great. I have been there since Sep. 09' and im a 7th and so far its its going great. Sure some students can get out of control but the teachers can control it.
—Submitted by a student

i love this school i recommend going to Bancroft. I am an eighth grader and Bancroft has helped me learn so much.sure the school has very poor but many teachers care about there students.The teachers try to get there students ready for high school and college they not only help you with your studies they can help you with problems you might have at home .So if your not sure where to go to middle school go to Bancroft .It has taught me many new things.Also ,it has a wonderful dance teacher she can really help you. ms.king our drill team coach helps you too and i love that i am from Bancroft. It is one decision i will NEVER regret.
—Submitted by a student

I am an alumni of Bancroft, graduated in 2006. This is an honest opinion from someone who had experienced 3 years in that school and is now a junior. Although at the time I might have disliked the school attending Bancroft is something I don't regret. Of course like any other school changes can be made. During my three years there I was lucky enough to get some of the best teachers I have had. I'm not saying all teachers were great but for the most part I was lucky enough to have some very good teachers by my side. I recently learned that many of the teachers I had are now gone which may be why there have been some bad reviews but know this: Bancroft is not all that it sounds to be if anything it is (if not was) one of the most well-rounded schools I know
—Submitted by a student

Bancroft Middle School for me is a very low class school, it has low acedemics and does not have all the books that students need to learn and to succed to college. The students are very ill-tempered, as well. In which the school is very harmful.
—Submitted by a parent

I am attending B.M.S. right now and it's my first year here. So far I think it's a good school. The best thing about this school is the dance classes and the shows.
—Submitted by a student

this is a school very poor in academics. the teachers put very little time and effort into their students. i have attended this school for 3 years and would strongly advise against going to this school.
—Submitted by a student

I attended this school only for 6th grade and planning on chenging schools. I really don't like this school because the safety isn't really good, during class it's really disturbing and teacher's don'tknow how to handle students.
—Submitted by a student

Although new to the school, I recently enrolled my niece here after she was evacuated from Biloxi, MS due to Hurricane Katrina. Everyone in administration as well as the vice principal were extremely personable and efficient in helping to quickly get the necessary papers in order for the child to continue her education. As far as public schools in Los Angeles, I would say this school is above many others in regards to asthetics of the grounds and the way it is hidden in a very eye pleasing residential neighborhood. You would never know from the surrounding blocks you were still in a city the size of LA. So far, I have had little contact directly with the teachers, but my niece seems to like everyone she has. Also, it is pleasing to me that there are many electives involving the arts, which I feel as important as your basics.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter culminated from 8th grade in June '05. Overall she was disappointed in this school. She attended in hopes of advancing in her studies of the arts (dance and drama). She was better off staying with the dance studio she had previously attended. She never learned anything new at school and the teacher had no control over her class. I sat in several rehersals and was appalled at the behavior of these students. It was obvious that most of them were there just for the social aspects and really did not care about anything else. My daughter was used to serious teachers and always listening and not talking back, but these students made that very difficult. Due to the schedule of rehersals she couldn't continue her studio classes outside of school. The school also did not allow room for the students to perform outside of the school realm.
—Submitted by a parent