Campbell Hall School

I feel bad for not posting on this site right when we took our child out of Campbell Hall. But maybe I can help someone from making the same mistake we made. The sad truth of the matter is that academics simply are not important at this school. The heads of the school proudly says that Campbell Hall is not "academic" or "academically rigorous". It is "academically diverse", which sadly just means wealthy kids that are not super bright. It is really sad. A school that values money and wealth, but truly is uninterested in educational excellence. The proof is in the sad array of colleges that the students are accepted to and the exodus of bright children year after year. There are some great people at the school and some teachers that still care about education, but the emphasis from the top is all about wealth and luxury. Your child will not develop academically and they do not know what to do with bright students other then let them get away. This was hard to write and I genuinely wish it was not the case.
--Submitted by a parent

Even though the High School is hard, it prepares the kids for college, some colleges even easier than Campbell Hall. The teachers all care about the kids and are there to help them all the time. The principals do get involved with any bully problems (that is to the one review about bullying) and it doesn't happen that often. It's rarely heard of, and if it's going on, they keep it private. The teachers challenge the kids but in a way that it prepares them. They also stay after school for the kids if they need it, or meet with them at lunch. Over all I think Campbell Hall is a great school with amazing teachers, arts programs and athletics.

Campbell Hall is one of the finest top-tier private high schools in Los Angeles. Rigorous, yet with a tolerable workload. Some of the top tier private high school students tend to burn out before heading to the Ivies... I would say CH students are more well rounded, and motivated to succeed with the right balance of drive. Some of the other schools are cut-throut. Looks likethere are already many amits EA to the Ivies this year! Great new 120,000 square foot building almost completed...
--Submitted by a parent

This school was a place I never felt safe. This is a school that consistently dragged me down as a person, I attended CH from 7th-10th grade, and left which was the best thing I ever did. I had one good teacher in my entire experience. One of the remarks at the school that I was given was that I was "quickly on the path of becoming a failure". This school only treats those with money well. Avoid.

I am a student at Campbell Hall and cherish being one every day. I was thinking about applying to HW for sports related reasons but the one thing that really is making me think otherwise is the Campbell Hall community. They stress community so much at CH and feeling like everyone is your friend. Your teachers are never angry or ridiculously strict. Campbell Hall takes the education and sports of HW and Brentwood but takes all of the skull crushing pressure and dishonesty off of them. Most students at CH are such well-rounded and fun spirited people that I always WANT to be at school. A CH student always stops to help someone in need and are some of the most courteous young adults i know. I learn a lot without it being shoved down my throat but every kid's different. CH teaches anything from English to Pilates yes, but it also teaches morals and community and how to be the best person you can be. And anyone who says all the focus is on the arts has never stepped a foot inside its halls but thinks it's easier to judge from rumor and imagination. And trust me, our students are plenty academic but also honest and real.It's exactly what a real schooling experience should be.

I disagree strongly with the person who posted "Campbell is certainly on the upper crust of the academic schools in Los Angeles." It is NOT comparable to Harvard-Westlake, Brentwood or Polytechnic. I know for certain that some of the students selected for admission at CH scored 1s and 2s on their ISEEs; these were not particularly hard-working or well-rounded students either. These students are from wealthy families however. Campbell Hall was once a school with high academic standards, unfortunately it's heyday has long passed.

This school does not pick its teachers out of talent, they pick them out of " the worst teacher of the year" award. There are some amazing teachers that have been there for ages, probably from old authority back when the school was successful. However, the new teachers that are coming in are fresh out of school themselves, and spend more time worrying about whose tardy, than making the class worthwhile. There is a lot of bullying that goes on, and the school really doesnt want to get involved, the minute a parent goes in to the school to complain, they can kiss their next child applying and getting in goodbye. Obviously, paying 25 grand a year you would want to be able to complain, however, they frown upon it. Another sad point about the school is their sole interest in celebrities. If you are not someone and your daughter/son is not an actor, CH really doesnt care what you have to say. Overall, the school is pretty fake and their standards are poor.
--Submitted by a parent

"Building community" and "educating the whole child" are not just slogans at Campbell Hall they are lived values. We have been at the elementary school for two years and have been overwhelmingly pleased with the teachers and the administration. Social issues both slight and more serious are addressed quickly and seriously. The academics are appropriate for the grade level and keep a long-term, whole child perspective in mind. I believe CH encourages excellence without losing sight of what it means to be a member of a community. My husband and I hope to raise adults who are enthusiastic students, independent thinkers, compassionate human beings, and responsible citizens. Though we do not know how each child will interpret these qualities, we believe our school truly supports our family's priorities and values.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is academically mediocre. This is an ideal placement for wealthy kids kids that are not particularly academic. There is a stronger focus on the arts. Unfortunately admissions decisions are based more on a family's ability to make financial contributions to the school, rather than on the academic performance or character of the student.
--Submitted by a parent

As the parent of a graduating senior who has been at the school since Kindergarten, I can only say it has been remarkable experience for our entire family. No school is perfect or right for every child but the C.H. has only served to continue the development of character and interest in learning that we sought to cultivate in our son from the beginning. The faculty has been outstanding and the leadership under Rev. Bull has advanced the schools reach, reputation and sense of community. A more responsive administration you will not find. It has been a glorious 13 years and we are sad to see our day to day connection come to an end. Our son was admitted to a wonderful array Top 20 Universities and we couldn't be happier.
--Submitted by a parent