Wonderland Avenue Elementary School

We were happy with Wonderland School for quite few years, but the last 2 years have been very disappointed, since it's been constantly testing and testing and testing without a break. I really can't see the teaching here, just testing. How can the student learn if there is not time for learning, just testing (of course, this is because of the LAUSD budget cuts, no doubt). But student are not learning the way it used to be.... : (
—Submitted by a parent

Whenever I see a negative review of Wonderland, I can't help but wonder if it's a magnet applicant's parent hoping to improve their chances by discouraging others. Comparing Wonderland negatively to Carpenter is flat-out ludicrous. Wonderland is a nearly perfect public school. I am a parent of two students at Wonderland who have had a combined 13 different teachers, not including the music, library, P.E. teachers. I know of what I write. I also know, from speaking to many parents, that there are a handful of parents who would not be happy under any circumstance. And I imagine the reviewer two below this will be submitting a similarly negative review of Carpenter next year. Completely defies logic that somebody would write about moving OUT of the Wonderland District because the school doesn't have enough computers to satisfy their subjective preference.. That's literally crazy-talk.
—Submitted by a parent

In response to the prior 2 reviews a couple things from a former teacher. 1. If your home school is Carpenter you're crazy to leave that. They have a GATE program that far surpasses Wonderland in the sense that they teach GATE with fidelity to research. However, Wonderland has incredible resources and a more developed sense of constructivism. The teachers who use their technology as it is supposed to be used provide a valuable access point for students. Some teachers at both schools sacrifice teaching the students because they rely on the fact that they have "smart" kids. Carpenter tends to communicate more teacher to parent and both principals are extremely skilled socially. The fact that Carpenter went charter shows their willingness to be more transparent and parentally share-controlled. Either school is a huge blessing to public school options.

in response to the below negative review - with all due respect, i disagree. How does the presence of computers in a school make it better? In this highly technologically charged world climate, i prefer my kids get hands on learning and teaching from an actual human and not a machine. This is especially true in the lower grades, as kids are forming the way they learn and appreciate learning. I have found Wonderland to be a magical place for my kids. There are things that are compromised, yes, because it is a public school - in the way of facilities maybe - but when it comes the the education of my kids i find it to be wonderful. All of the wonderland kids i know have a special quality of kindness. They look out for each other and their community. They respect their teachers and have a genuine love of learning. As far our family is concerned, it is an oasis in a city and private school climate that often teaches kids (by default) poor social skills and materialism. Long Live Wonderland!
—Submitted by a parent

One of the problems with a site like this is that you can lie and nobody will know. Most everybody will know who the lady is with the snarky review as her reputation has preceded her for years in the canyon. We wish her well and bon boyage as she heads down the hill looking for greener pastures. So here are the facts and yes, you can fact check them with the website. Wonderland as a very complete arts program. More than most private schools. It has a full time art teacher and the kids see her once a week in a dedicated art studio. My child has grown amazingly as an artist this year and it's because of her. My oldest also went through the program with the last art teacher and he was amazing too. Wonderland has a full time music teacher who is fantastic. The kids get music once a week and there are even some music electives for older kids. There is also a seperate orchestra teacher. My oldest did the program with him and he's now playing in a highschool band. Wonderland has Smartboards in every room except the kindergarten. Wonderland has an amazing and beloved fulltime PE teacher. Wonderland has a great staff. It's not perfect. No school is, but it's darn close!
—Submitted by a parent

As far as public schools go this school seems to be average. I was expecting a lot more prior to enrolling my child at wonderland ave, being as I am an alumni of this small school, and a community local. I thought I would find a five star organized arts programs, music, computers and other activities like neighboring carpenter ave school has, and especially seeing that carpenter has only 4 stars I felt confident that wonderland would be a far better school and decision for my child. I am dissapointed in wonderland and the lack of programs and supervision. I am now contemplating a move from my native Laurel Canyon to studio city in order to enroll my child at carpenter ave, which even from their tour seems to be aLOT better school, they even have computers which are not found at wonderland, so FYI for parents researching both of these schools I think Carpenter is a better decision, and hopefully Ill see you in the spring after our move.
—Submitted by a parent

We are very happy with the adjunct programs at Wonderland. It is unique. I'd like to see the communication from teachers improve...responding to emails/phone calls etc. and since the magnet is a gifted magnet, I wish that the staff would inform the parents on how it is providing a gifted education. Any school can have high test scores with the right students and parents, so the school shouldn't get a pass on instruction just because of test scores.
—Submitted by a parent

Congratulations Wonderland family on another year of great test scores! Obviously, something is being done right. I am very proud of how my children have progressed & how they are thriving.
—Submitted by a parent

I just read the review below, and as a magnet out-of-area parent, with two children in the school and a third who has graduated I completely disagree. Every parent is encouraged to participate - all meetings are open and posted in terms of when they are taking place so anyone is welcome to attend. The review below says that only a select few parents serve on the fundraising committee. This is inaccurate, this parent is making a choice to not show up and participate. No one "chose" me to participate on the fundraising organization, I chose to start attending meetings and get involved. I am a full-time professor in education and the fund raising organization met at times when I could participate. This school is amazing and I feel so fortunate that all three of my children are getting, and had the opportunity for an exceptional education.
—Submitted by a parent

We are so lucky to be in this school. The academics are solid, and in addition through fundraising by the parents, the school is able to offer music, art, and PE. Principal Wilson is fantastic, and the kids love him. My son's teachers are phenomenal, I've never seen any bullying problems, and the campus is beautiful. We are in the magnet program, but the home school is just as wonderful. Having our son in this school is the best educational decision we've made.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderland is an amazing school. The wonderful principal Don Wilson leads a truly exceptional team of teachers and staff that demonstrate how much they care and how committed they are to our kids on a daily basis. The basics are there and very solid, but by teaming with a very involved parent base, Wonderland provides an environment that is unsurpassed even when compared to the top independent schools in L.A. This is a truly great school.
—Submitted by a parent

Top notch academics. Well-rounded curriculum (art, music, PE, garden), close community and inspirational principal. A gem!
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderland is a jem of a public school, commonly referred to as the public education that feels like a private. Our Principal is the BEST, and thru parent fundraising we have an amazing arts/ science program, edible garden program, PE, music/ dance classes, librarian and much more. One of the best part about this school is the strong sense of community that is the driving force behind so many of the wonderful things that happen at Wonderland.
—Submitted by a parent

A gift to our children and our community. Strong, connected leadership, gifted, dedicated teaching staff, passionate, hard-working parent volunteers and a supportive community all play a role in the school's success. It's an on-going struggle but parent and community support for 'extras' like PE, art, music, science and additional staff development allows the students to have well-rounded education in an increasingly fiscally straightjacketed system.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderland Elementary is a shining example of how a community can pull together and support it's youth. Financial support from parents and the community at large keeps programs like art, music, PE and our library running strong!
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic! Our daughter is in the magnet program and she really did win the lottery. The teachers,the office staff , the principal, and the community make this the ideal public school.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my sons went to Wonderland and it is a gem in the middle of this big ol city. Small, community oriented with an active parent body and dedicated teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Dedicated staff and parents and a very intimate campus make Wonderland a shining star in the otherwise embattled LAUSD!
—Submitted by a parent

I cannot let the last review go by without commenting. It's disappointing to me that when someone from our dedicated and talented staff finally weighs in with a review on this site, it's in defense of Dr. Greene. To begin with, she's been gone (thankfully) for a year and a half. Her communication skills were atrocious and ultimately led to her removal. In stark contrast, we now have Don Wilson as our principal. He is warm, accessible, caring and passionate about being at Wonderland. While Carol Greene's main focus was keeping the school in compliance with LAUSD's every mandate, Don Wilson's vision is to make Wonderland a shining beacon of this great community.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have worked with Dr. Greene and happen to know, because of conversations I've had with her, that she does care about the students. She actually cares much more than most principals I've worked with in LAUSD, but may be less able to express her compassion through body language than most people. Nonethess, though tempermental, she has a good heart.
—Submitted by a teacher