Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School

I love Emerson because my son is so happy there. I also love it because the principal is the best in the west and is always there to talk to or get information from. The parents and teachers are the best!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Ralph Waldo Emerson is situated a a very good community...It's a school where you can really find out who you are.
—Submitted by a parent

A very safe school with a terrific, motivated principal and some great teachers. Unfortunatly, some teachers are unfit to be teaching and have an unacceptable attitude toward students (one in particular is a bully who scares students and constantly yells at them). As in many public schools, accessive homework load chips away at a positive shcool experience. Sadly, It's a futile effort to try to change that as the teachers do not seem to get the distructive effects of such needless overload and parents (who almost all agree with this statement) who are concerned with the teachers possible retaliation against their children (a very valid concern with some teachers in this school), prefer to stay quiet and bite the bullet..
—Submitted by a parent

I am an eighth grader at Emerson Middle School, and going to this school has been a wonderful experience for me. If you really want to learn at a high level, Emerson will be great for you. The teachers are great!
—Submitted by a student

Teachers are awesome and principal is dynamic and school-changing!!!
—Submitted by a parent

serious about growth of students
—Submitted by a parent

our school has a lot of parent involvment so the kids like to come to school and get involved aswell. We have a great principle that cares about the school & the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of current Emerson student. I want to say that Emerson is a very good school. Unfortunately current economic crisis is affecting Emerson - it looks like the Music program will be canceled in Fall 2009. I am posting following information to all interested Emerson alumni: If you want to see the last 2009 Spring Music Concert please visit Emerson Auditorium on 6/4/2009, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. and join the legend - Mr. Lanni with the Marching Panthers Orchestra plus alumni. It will be most probably the last Marching Panthers Orchestra performance. I am sure Emerson will be different without Marching Panthers Orchestra. I am also sure Emerson still be great place to study and to have fun.
—Submitted by a parent

I am parent of a current eigth grader and I am so happy we selected Emerson. My son came from Fairburn and we also heard all the nasty rumors about the school which turned out to be untrue. He has received an excellent education; he is still scoring off the charts in both math and english thanks to the rigors of the IHP curriculm and the nourturing teachers. In addition, he as grown into a well rounded person having taken drama with Mr. Weiss and through other electives. And most importantly, the friendships he developed at Fairburn have continued through middle school and will continue beyond. A few days ago he mentioned he was graduating with very fond memories of his middle school experience and will look back with much happiness. To me, those words meant plenty.
—Submitted by a parent

Thank goodness that in my oldest daughter's fifth grade year, several of her friends decided early on Emerson. It has been a treasure. I am so grateful we didn't buy into the unkind rumors that were being spread by the 'private school' parents who were trying to justify their choice to pay for an education likely not as good or diverse as what they could have had for free at Emerson. Starting with 'Howdy Days' (a 3-day orientation for 6th graders, where they learn its ins and outs), the school was extremely welcoming. The SAS/IHP teachers are dedicated, caring indivduals. Our daughter was challenged to think by Ms. Cruz, encouraged to explore by Mr. Joseph, motivated to push her limits by Ms. Senior, and shown that learning can be fun by Ms. Cook. 7th and 8th have been great too, culminating with Mr. Weiss and drama. Great staff (thanks Mr. Cota)!
—Submitted by a parent

I am going to second that statement of an earlier review, this school is awesome. It's small enough that the principal knows every student and cares too. The teachers are professional and really impart so much knowledge into these kids. Emerson Middle School is the best kept secret on the Westside. They have a great Academic program, a fantastic Performing Arts program and a wonderful after school program. It's a safe small campus and would recommend it highly. I have had kids at this school now for 4 years and I see a great influx of great kids and great parents rolling up their sleeves to make this school even better. MJ
—Submitted by a parent

It's an awesome school who deserves a visit before judging and also some involvement on the great programs and opportunities for bright kids
—Submitted by a student

In response to Sept 5th review - yes there is only one teacher per subject, because there is only one IHP class! For those who don't know - IHP is the individual honors program which is the highest academic level that your child can access through the LAUSD. There are only 2 LAUSD schools which offer IHP - Emerson(Westside) and Walter Reed(Valley). If you live this side of the hill, consider Emerson. My children are very happy there - the new principal is outstanding, there are great teachers and good teachers. Almost 1/3 of the incoming 6th graders are from Warner, Fairburn and Westwood Charter.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school is okay. Im in IHP and in sixth grade. There are two problems. They dont put uniform restrictions like they said in the uniform rules. They olny have 1 teacher for IHP per subject. the school needs updating. I give it a 6 1/2 out of ten.
—Submitted by a student

We have been an Emerson family for 4 years in a row, and our children have been completely safe. All schools (including Paul Revere and Palms receive 'opportunity transfers-you can check the LA Unified website. Emerson is by far the smallest school of the three mention-Paul Revere has 1000 more students and Palms has 700 more. If you want a much smaller school in an upsale neighborhood (Westwood), where the students are put in classes (School for Advanced Studies) with students of similiar abilities, choose Emerson! Brand new principal as of 07-08 school year.
—Submitted by a parent

Do not send your child here. It is not safe. They bus in kids that have been kicked out of other schools -- LAUSD calls them opportunity transfers. Because the building supposedly have architectural significance they have not updated anything -- this school may be the only one left in LAUSD without air-conditioning. Many classoom have no computers. Send your kid to Paul Revere or Palm.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student at Emerson and I just graduated this year.Emerson is a great middle school.It has great teachers .To be honest some teachers can be mean but there are teachers who are really great.I have learned alot at this school and I have made alot of friends.Kids should really go to this school it is the best!!!
—Submitted by a student

Very nice,nice & educated staff,my daughter and I love emerson
—Submitted by a parent

Hiya, i'm a mom with a beef. There are persistent false rumours about Emerson's safety by neighborhood parents who send their kids to private school. Emerson's safety record beats all the surrounding middle schools year after year because of contained campus and security policies. It is so good, in fact, that we constantly have to fight to keep our safety officer to protect the premises from outside threat. Take the time to look it up. Wild talk about guns? We've never had a gun on campus in the memory of our longest serving teachers. We don't have gangs on our campus, like say, Palms, for the simple reason that this is not their neighborhood and they are not trying to protect turf. Kids feel safe, and they are.
—Submitted by a parent

Fact: If your kids come to Emerson scoring high, they will leave Emerson school scoring high. Stop looking at the API overall and start looking at kids in your demo. Did you notice that the school rating on this site can be broken down by the performance of kids from the same kind of family as yours? For example, the overall school rating for Emerson is 4, yet our school rating based on performance of our kids from parents with college to graduate school level educations is 7 to 9. Considering that classes are streamed by ability, doesn't that make sense? Then you are comparing apples with apples.
—Submitted by a parent