Topeka Drive Elementary School

My children are in first and third at Topeka. Their teachers are kind, challenging, available and open to suggestions. The office staff, playground staff, computer lab tech and librarian all know my children by name. I've always been able to talk to the principal when I've needed to. LAUSD funding is disgustingly low but the PTA and Topeka really seem to know how to stretch their budgets to remarkable lengths! I volunteer at school as well and have never had issues with anyone-- staff, parent or otherwise. I am proud to have my children at Topeka and believe that a great deal of the happiness and pride my children have in their school is due to the people who work and volunteer there-- they truly care about the children.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with Topeka. The teachers, prinicpal, staff and other parents are very involved and seem to truly enjoy what they do and care for the well being of each child.
--Submitted by a parent

We chose Topeka in open enrollment because of a combination of academics, Korean Dual Language Program environment, and a seemingly dynamic principal. Our daughter's kindergarten teacher was quite good, and she thrived in that classroom. However, I began to have concerns about the school after several meetings about conflict around KDLP and seeing a bias on the part of the principal against the program. The PTA is characterized by cliques, and there doesn't seem to be room for just anyone. The choices for spending were also interesting as arts assemblies were chosen over actual arts staff or direct instruction. Other schools in the Valle are raising more money, open to multiple ideas about how to do that, and funding out of work specialty teachers. The loss of the KDLP program will be catastrophic as Asian students strongly raised API scores. 100 open enrollment seats suggests a strong and dramatic change in the feel of the school as well as the diversity of the school. Pulled out in time, I think.
--Submitted by a parent

Test scores have gone down each year since new leadership arrived. Principal knows how to say the right things or make excuses but not sure if she can deliver what she promises.
--Submitted by a parent

We were thrilled to get into Topeka last year on open enrollment - home school is in a better neighborhood and has better API scores but the principal was aloof and cold so we picked Topeka over the "better" school. A year later, we are even happier (if that's possible) - Topeka's principal is simply the finest around. She is enthusiastic, smart, committed to quality education, knows how to lead and gets everyone involved in education - rich or poor, educated or not. We Topeka parents are lucky to have her and our kids will reap the benefits of her leadership. For the people who insist on creating drama - there are plenty of schools elsewhere for you to stir up trouble - just leave our kids out of it.
--Submitted by a parent

Before putting my kids into Topeka, I asked many parents about the school. In the process, I did not hear a single negative thing, only positive things. To me the fact that I didn't hear anything negative was a big deal, since many people often spout off the negative before the positive. We loved our first year at Topeka and are looking forward to next year. The principal is amazing--I love her openness with all parents and her monthly "Coffee with the Principal" where parents discuss their concerns with her. She encourages all parents to stay involved in their children's education to continue to make Topeka a positive school environment. My son looked forward to every day of school and now his brother is excited to be able to go to Topeka too. I grew up in the private school system and wasn't sure how I would like putting my kids in a public school. I have not regretted it and have, in fact, had a more positive experience than I imagined.
--Submitted by a parent

great school, wonderful parents, a top A+ principal. it feels now like a private school. many changes, all wonderful this last past year. keep great people coming!
--Submitted by a parent

If you want a school with strong, academic teachers---this is the school for you. If you want a school with a pleasant, highly approachable principal---this is the school for you. If you want to be a pro-active parent in your child's education---this is the school for you! There will always be drama at some point everywhere. If you allow it to affect your child's education or your opinion of the school, that's your prerogative. This is a great school with or without the KDLP.
--Submitted by a parent

Topeka is a great school with great teachers, principal and parents. Topeka was a great school before, during and will remain a great school after the KDLP program moves. Topeka was a school with competitive API scores before the KDLP program was implemented, and continued to maintain the same API average scores while the KDLP program was there. This school will remain a great school because of its dedicated, hardworking teachers, principal, staff, and parents. The teachers have high academic expectations of their students and push them to reach their individual potential. I have been a parent here for 9 years and believe my children have received a top notch education.
--Submitted by a parent

The principal and teachers at this school are wonderful. Principal is very involved in the school and wants what is best for the students.
--Submitted by a parent