Palms Middle School

This is a great school! The teachers care about the kids, the staff care and the kids care about each other! Middle schoolers kind of lose their minds around this age and think they can skate by with limited effort like they did in elementary school, so it takes a lot of patience to guide them into learning skills like organization and time management. My kids still don't have it down but they're learning at a great place. Palms is terrific, and I'm sorry for the complainers who are not having as good of an experience! Any time we've had a problem it's been addressed right away. No matter where you are - parents need to be involved with their own child's education.
--Submitted by a parent

Worst school to send your kid !!!! they only care about score,and MONEY<MONEY. thats it.your kid will be a stadistic only.no personalized at all!! it took us a long time to meet the principal and she rushed us out of the office....... reserch better do not be fooled by looks and reviews go and watch their interactions ....be smart do not send your kid there
--Submitted by a parent

My son just started 6th grade. Already, we are experiencing problems with the staff. We never received information regarding 6th grade orientation called "Camp Palms". Registration materials were supposed to have been mailed last June. When we asked about it several times, the office staff either said "Oh, the person you need to speak to is not here." Later, we heard "Oh, it's too late. You should've registered." At parent orientation, the tone was also dismissive and condescending. The principal did a lot of finger pointing, saying "Check your child's backpack!" "Make sure your kids are not tardy!", "Don't honk your horns!", etc... Excuse me? But most parents already know this! The second day of school, this morning, I was walking my son. 50 feet in front of the main entrance, by the street, one of the office staff was literally "shooing" parents away. For now, I will wait to see how things turn out academically, with my child and his teachers. If things don't turn around, I am seriously considering transferring my child to another middle school.
--Submitted by a parent

Coming from a rated 10 elementary school with a 955 API score and coming to this school that has an astonishingly horrible 857, I was very dissapointed, well actually not really because I didn't really think it was going to be great but I expected it to be at least better than what I got. I basically didn't learn any English in my class and I learned little new things of math. Now that I look back, I think, "Seriously?" I don't think the teachers here are nearly as talented as the ones I had in my elementary school that allowed me to stay in the 550's or more-always in my CST's

I am unbelievably impressed with this school. The staff is so professional: these people know how to teach. I don't know how they do it, with ever fewer dollars and personnel. But it is clear that the kids remain the top priority through all the endless LAUSD drama; these teachers seem laser-focused on educating their charges. I can hardly get over what a good job this school does: the kids all seem happy - this school feels like a happy place. And my kid is no ms. sunshine - still she acknowledges that basically, kids are happy here. And I am one ecstatic parent given how much they are learning. What more can you ask for? Oh yes, there is more to ask for: how about an amazing music program and pretty fine art as well. Understanding administrators, fantastic library. Can you imagine what this school would be like were they ever to fund it? This principal has to be a genius to educate so many, keep so many happy and employed and moving forward scholastically. I just cannot find enough words to praise things highly-enough here. I can think of no better school on the westside, public or private (we came from private for elementary, and one of the best at that).
--Submitted by a parent

I like this school and some of the teachers. Some of the teachers are a bit stubborn. But they show effort to teach the students. Palms Middle School is a safe enviroment and has a great music and drama program. The only real bad point is that it may not always be the most sanitary school. In all Palms Middle School is a great school, and I enjoyed my time there. As their slogan says, "Palms Pride".

My 14 year old twins are completing the 8th grade this year. Our experience at Palms has been exceptional. My daughter fought me on attending Palms at first, but has since repeatedly acknowledged that it was the perfect choice for her. She loved every minute of it. Both had Mr. Kravetz for Algebra in 7th Grade and Ms. Kavicky for 8th Grade Geometry. Other standouts were Mr. An, Ms. Garrett, Ms. Eddington, Mr. Santana and Ms. Igarashi. Stage crew was phenomenal. Last, but certainly not least, I want to give a shout-out to Melinda Price. spectacular. She plans on visiting him as she congoing to this school
--Submitted by a parent

I love the fact that students get to experience honor classes based on their grades in their previous coursework. My son's first year experience was up and down, which is fairly normal, considering he came from a small elementary school to this large population. This year, for his 7th grade, all of the teachers have been wonderful and helpful. It has been most helpful, when the school decided to upgrade their website and include a way for parents to email their child's teacher. Communication has improved tremendously!
--Submitted by a parent

We picked Palms because it was our home school and they had a gifted Magnet. Their API scores were close if not better then the other schools we looked at and it was close to where we live. LACES goes to 12th grade. Some people see that as a plus, for us, it wasn't, I wanted my son to have the experience of being an upper classman more then once. Paul Revere was too far with basically the same test scores and the same education. New West Charter was too small. We couldn't be happier at Palms. All the schools are basically the same. You are not going to get a lesser education or better education, no matter which school you choose. Also, remember: They are not seven year olds anymore. Don't over protect them, let them fall and get up, let them experience. Palms has been a great and exciting adventure!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter graduated from Palms last year and my son is currently in the 7th grade here. Both of them have enjoyed their experience. Is the school perfect? No. Is any school on the face of the planet perfect? No. However, my kids have enjoyed their time at Palms and I have had only positive interactions with the staff and the Friends of Palms parent organization. Some of the excellent teachers I have encountered include Ms. West (Band), Ms. Garrett (7th grade History), Ms. Bourman (8th grade History), Mr. Kravets (Algebra) and Mr. Ambriz (Counselor).
--Submitted by a parent