Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet Elementary School

I am a student at balboa magnet and I'm in fifth grade. I have been going to this school for almost 5 years. I have loved it so far here. They challenge you while making everyday fun. For example, in fourth grade, you have pioneer day where you dress up like pioneers and learn about their daily life. The teachers always listen to you and get you ready for the next school year. I really reccommend this school.

The Balboa STAR Ed. after school program is the best enrichment and care program I've ever seen. The kids are happy and do not ever want to leave early. Every day is an amazing enrichment activity including science experiments, art of the Masters, ecology awareness and animal interaction, music (rockstar bands or musical theater), sports/athletics... Homework is completed and kids are full of excitement about the day's activities. I could not be happier!
—Submitted by a parent

I am having so much difficulties with my son's teacher. She only likes kids that do not cause any "issues". Kids get benched and punished there for every little reason. And in some cases they are not treated fairly. Some kids can misbehave and get away with it and some kids get noticed for every little thing that they have done wrong. My son got accepted this year. He is in second grade. His grades are high and he is working really hard to make it better. However, he is very energetic and talkative which is an issue for the teacher. The teacher doesn't want to deal with kids like this. She does not accept the fact that he is still a kid. She would not try to find the right approach to him. Instead, she suggested that he has a disorder and asked to take him to a specialist. My son has achieved so much in his learning and has never heard one positive feedback from the teacher whatsoever. But if he fails for once, the teacher would get him benched, send him to the office, and send me a letter pointing that she was right to think that he had a disorder. That brought so much and stress to may family and my son. He thinks he is not good enough for his teacher. This is really sad!
—Submitted by a parent

BALBOA MAGNET SCHOOL. The best school ever from the staff especialy the magnet coordination she is so wonderful, teachers like Mrs William's and Mrs. Conviers, she even spend time with the children one a month as a reward if they have done all the Hm for the month..... It's a great school no wonder has a score of 10/10 . if your child get into he'll love it.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school and it challegenges the students. Parent involvement is awesome. My son loves Balboa...
—Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter 3.5 yrs old and would like to enroll her when she gets to first grade.
—Submitted by a parent

We're in our fifth and final year at Balboa and have a wonderful experience from the start. Yes, the academic expectations are high, but they are reasonable. I think the best part of Balboa are the even higher expectations of behavior for everyone from the students, to the parents, to the teachers, to the administration. The people are just decent and respectful here. You can be as involved in volunteering as you want or not, you are not frowned upon. There are so many dedicated parents here the school runs like a well-oiled machine.
—Submitted by a parent

I cannot say enough about my daughter's experience at Balboa. She just finished 4th grade. My daughter came to Balboa after leaving a very pricey "academic" school in the valley. Their curriculum, teachers and administration paled compared to what Balboa offers. Balboa's new principal is a dedicated and visionary leader whose door is always open to parents and kids. We are lucky to have her. The teachers are all fantastic. The kids are sweet and smart. The student population is wonderfully diverse. My daughter has made amazing friendships. The parents are involved. The workload is not overwhelming. She loves the longterm projects which allow the kids a more in depth exploration of certain areas. She participates in orchestra (great!) chorus. They do beautiful art projects and go on interesting field trips. Everyone is dedicated to the children's education and development. We are grateful for Balboa
—Submitted by a parent

One of the best school. Excellent teachers. My kids love their teachers and school. Highly recommended.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is finishing up 2nd grade and I can't say enough about the two absolutely WONDERFUL and GIFTED teachers that he has had so far. He has been attending Balboa Magnet since 1st grade and has loved it. The homework is completely reasonable (20-30 minutes/weekday -if that, plus any long-term projects) and each student has the ROOM to go above and beyond if they are so inclined to do so. The level of instruction and the extras (music, science labs, computer lab, PE, orchestra, field trips, virtual field trips, etc.) that they are exposed to is a huge bonus. Fellow students are also great, so the overall school environment is peaceful (no bullying whatsoever). We feel so fortunate to have this school for our son. He's thriving! Can't wait for our younger son to go to Balboa when he's in 1st grade, too!
—Submitted by a parent

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