Westside Leadership Magnet School

I hope they use $3 Million to "refocus" on teaching the students the skills they need to finish elementary and middle school and move on successfully to high school and college. Perhaps we should consider English and Math immersion before Spanish and Mandarin.
--Submitted by a parent

This school just got a $3 million grant to refocus their magnet program for 2011 to a Global Leadership & International Languages Magnet. Rumors are that it will have Spanish and Mandarin instruction - all the funds are earmarked for classroom instruction. With the small size and location, this is going to really help this school bloom and give our kids an education for a global world.
--Submitted by a parent

Our son is finishing up his first year at Westside Leadership in kindergarten & it has been a wonderful experience. We have an experienced & thoughtful teacher in Ms. Silvia and the administration has worked extraordinarily hard to improve the school: Extra art and foreign language programs have been incorporated into Westside Leadership & a major greening project is under way by award winning landscape architect Mia Lehrer to transform the campus into an environmental gem. Through the Westside Boost parents organization, parent involvement has been extra ordinary and committed to improving the campus & classroom which has resulted in tangible positive results. For us & our son, its been a rewarding experience in every possible way.
--Submitted by a parent

I have found the teachers, kids, faculty members, and families at this school to be kind, considerate, thoughtful, and determined in their pursuit of excellence for every student at Westside. The size, location, and amazing people make this little known school a gem. Definitely worth looking into if you have a kid in kindergarten through 8th grade.
--Submitted by a parent

I've been at Westside for 4 years. The teachers are amazing. And there are many great projects underway that will further improve the school. It's a small school so your child won't get lost in the shuffle. It's great! I highly recommend this school for your kindergarder or 6th grader starting middle school.
--Submitted by a parent

With a new principal and administrator brought in 18 months ago, and a newly energised Westside Boost parents organization make me excited about where this school is going as a parent. With only one class in K-5 (more for 6-8) the elementary school has a great community feel to it, with small class-sizes, and an excellent committed teaching staff. It has a wonderfully diverse student population - with increasing support from the local community. It was a bit of a 'test' to send our daughter there and it is way surpassing expectations. Regular field trips (Ballona Wetland, Getty, Geffen Playhouse, Venice Library and the Beach in the last 6 weeks) and an excellent after-school program (Prime Time), plus Spanish classes and after school French class, Art Smart program (with LMU) have all exposed her to more extra-curricular activities than I expected. This is an undiscovered gem, worth considering.
--Submitted by a parent

My husband and I entered the Kindergarten program here this year from Ecole Claire Fontaine Pre-School in Venice. We have had a fantastic experience at Westside Leadership. My daughter is very happy. She is excited to go to school, she is learning to read very quickly and she has made new friends in almost all of the grades. The school is very small, so you get to know everyone very quickly. The administrative staff and faculty are eager to talk with parents and hear ideas. At most of the privates; Minimal art, music, and second language program and no outside enrichment programs. We have Spanish and French once a week, an art program by Loyola Marymount and brand new iMac Apple computers in every classroom, and a new program for mindfulness and mediatation. This school has given us everything and more.
--Submitted by a parent

I was surprised to find such a low rating number for this school - until I realized that the reviews go back to 2004. Many, many improvements have been made over the past few years - including a dynamic new Magnet Coordinator (2007) and a talented new Principal (2008). My daughter started Kindergarten at Westside this year and she is flourishing! As an eight-year Venice resident I am proud to support this dynamic local school. My wife and I investigated both private and public schools before making our choice. Westside has exceeded our expectations and I highly recommended it.
--Submitted by a parent

Westside Leadership is a small school where everybody knows each other. There is a new, dedicated parent booster organization that is working hard to transform the school into no less than the best on the Westside. Administrators and teachers are very open to input and participation from everyone.
--Submitted by a parent

WLM is a school at the beginning of an exciting transition. The principal is fantastic and very motivated to make changes that will improve educational outcomes for his students and the teaching environments of his faculty. The students are bright and eager. The teachers are committed, energetic and experienced. The only thing the school has lacked is significant participation from the local community. With the 2009-10 school year, this has changed and the results are already visible and impressive.
--Submitted by a parent