Carthay Center Elementary School

Our daughter is in 2nd grade, so halfway through her third year at Carthay. She loves the school and so do we. All three of her teachers over the past three years have been excellent. The classroom sizes are a little too big, because of the budget cutbacks, but the teachers do a good job of managing in spite of that. Our daughter is ahead of grade level in math and reading and the teachers do a good job of identifying what level different students are at and making sure everyone is challenged and learning. The kids are wonderful - our daughter has made so many great friends. Many of them live in the neighborhood which helps with playdates and birthday parties. The principal is fantastic - a real dynamo. She started the same year as our daughter and every year the school gets better. Parent involvement is also very good. Not every parent is involved, but those who are have a lot of energy. They have helped the school get funding for a garden, a grass field, trees in the playground, a community park, dance and other art programs, field trips, etc. Also the Star after-school program is AMAZING. They have scholarships and tons of extra-curricular options and Ms. Autumn rocks!
--Submitted by a parent

great school .great teachers , excellent star program and hard working stuff members with strong leadership . keep up the good work
--Submitted by a parent

Small neighborhood school. Great principal, who knows how to communicate with parents. School would benefit from a good dedicated assistant principal, one that's dedicated and return year to year. Currently they have a new AP every year. Didn't care for the last one. Teachers caring. Ignore test scores, or you'll lose out on a good safe school.
--Submitted by a parent

I believe the school is on its way to becoming a better school with more funding.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a gem, in the heart of Los Angeles. There is a dynamic new principal, Tracy Calhoun, who is full of energy and new ideas, and who welcomes the input parents. The campus is small and gorgeous, and houses the best teaching garden in all of LAUSD, and maybe California. The school's garden science program is the pride of LAUSD and was featured on Anderson Cooper 360 and in the Huffington Post. There is music and arts instruction through the Arts Prototype Program, and, dance with the California Dance Institute. And, there is a very active and involved group of parents who are always ready to welcome new families. This is a real neighborhood school with close ties to its community. It is for parents who want to be involved in their child s education. Most importantly, the children of Carthay love this school and they want to be there all the time. My son told me, he never wants to leave.
--Submitted by a parent

THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS SCHOOL IS THE MS. CRUZ AND MRS. CATHERINE!!! I FEEL THAT THE STUDENTS THERE WERE CHEATED FROM THEIR EDUCATION!
--Submitted by a parent

The new principal is absolutely fantastic. She is focused on what is best for ALL of the children at Carthay. My children love learning, love going to school and have become avid readers. They often curl up with a book rather than watch TV at home. They also love the phenomenal Garden Science program, which doesn't seem like "school" even though they are learning a ton. Great community-oriented school with kind and caring parents, teachers, and administration.
--Submitted by a parent

Carthay is a school with involved parents and an engaged staff that is committed to it's children and embraces the diverse community that exist there.
--Submitted by a parent

It's a truly diverse school that engages the community and has the biggest organic learning garden in LA.

Emma and Alex love the teachers and subjects and are willing to tell everyone about their wonderful school.
--Submitted by a parent