Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet Elementary School

I have twins in 1st grade; one here at Balboa and the other at Castlebay Lane Elementary (940 2010 API). Balboa has 5 take home projects for every one Castlebay project. Work hard, play hard. There has been a field trip every 1.5 months at Balboa, (Castlebay Lane has had no field trips by the 100 day of school) Balboa is organized enough so that the trips are partially paid for by the parents, $5 per kid and sometimes relies on parents driving the kids or even walking to places (fire station and Mcdonalds). The home projects are creative that really get the kids excited. They are graded on their oral presentation and quality of the information/props. Powerpoint is taught in the 1st grade computer class. It hasn't been required of the home projects....yet. The teacher, maintains her own website and emails a weekly update to the parents.
--Submitted by a parent

High Expectations! High Standards! That's the environment I like to creat for my kids, but you have to understand they are still kids. The fact that this school is"Gifted/High Ability" comes with its challenges for teachers and administrators...they can expect to deal with challenging kids and personalities. Teacher should be prepared and properly trained to deal with such!!! Yet I have felt that some teachers are not willing to deal with such challenges and prefer a model student with no issues or problems. My son is able to keep uwith all the academic requirements and needs the challenge, but he has behavior issues and at times it seems that they don't want to deal with the behavior. It's part of teaching, don't you think??
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with an early review that the school is great for independent workers. Unfortunately we didn't know this when our son got accepted and he is having a very difficult time adapting to the routine. Read on your own, follow instructions and complete work. For a third-week first grader? A bit much I think. Expectations are incredibly high. They should let parents know up front what the expectations are for the students so that the parents can either prepare their child or at least manage the problems when they come up. I have a conference with my son's teacher tomorrow - don't know what she's going to say. Half of me thinks she's going to tell me my son's an idiot and needs to drop out. My son is not an idiot and is incredibly bright. I fear that this will affect his self-esteem if it hasn't already .
--Submitted by a parent

After completing 5th grade at Balboa, where do most kids go to middle school? I am searching for a middle school for my daughter. Thanks

both my children have attended Balboa- it's a wonderful learning environment that is deserving of all the praise it receives
--Submitted by a parent

Absolutely love this school. The principal, teachers and fellow parents are so wonderful.
--Submitted by a parent

An absolutely wonderful school for academically gifted kids! So lucky to have had our son attend....
--Submitted by a parent

My son started here in 1st grade, and he is now in 5th. Our experiences here have been truly wonderful. His teacher this year, Mr. Brescher, is enthusiastic and inspiring. We will miss the community here at Balboa, most of all when we move on after this year. I know my son will be ready for middle school.
--Submitted by a parent

My son went to this school from 2nd grade to 5th grade and he had the best experience there. His 5th grade teacher Mr. Brescher is the best. He is an inspirational teacher. All the kids loved him
--Submitted by a parent

All three of my children have attended Balboa and are continuing there Magnet School experience at Millikan Performing Arts Magnet and Granada Hills Charter High School. Balboa helped prepare them well.
--Submitted by a parent