Riverside Drive Elementary School

Fabulous community feel. My kids love it and are thriving there! I feel extremely fortunate to have this school available, especially at times when the budget is being cut all around us. We all pitch in and are fortunate to be able to remain status quo with uninterrupted learning for our children. So pleased. You will see happy, secure, and very energetic children here. Like a slice of the past with a view of the future.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a very good school but there are definitely areas to improve-- kids cannot sit with their friends at lunch- they must sit by class; kids cannot play with their friends at recess and lunch, unless they are, by chance, in the same class. Parents really don't like this but the administration doesn't see the problem- they are more concerned with maintaining control at recess and lunch. The teachers are great and the staff are friendly.
--Submitted by a teacher

My son attended the preschool class for special needs in the spring of 2010(he had a language delay). I am a stay at home mom, so i dropped my son off and picked him up. I say that to say that i saw more than maybe other families who sent their children by bus. The teacher did most of her instruction by screaming a "no-no-no" if a kid was doing something wrong. The other teacher would only make complaints about my child every time that I would pick him up, only once told me something positive about him. My son started arm flapping at this school b/c he was overstimulated with all the screaming. I asked the teacher about his arm flapping, and she bluntly told me he was autistic. Didn't take me to the side and kindly share her concerns, she just blurted it out in front of all the other kids/teachers/etc. Also, I was the one who had to ask about it, she didn't share her concerns before I mentioned it. We have had him tested since then, and not even a dr. has been that harsh/unkind about his condition. The environment was very caustic and actually harmful to my son. I wouldn't recommend this school for pre-k special needs kids. Other than that Miss anna seemed compassionate and kind.
--Submitted by a parent

Beware of this school! The Principal has failed as a leader. She has her own agenda and seems to be missing in action frequently. She also makes her own policies which creates a frantic, disorganized and uncomfortable learning environment. We will be pulling our Kindergartener for next year. The teachers seem to be good educators but are stifled by Ms. Kessler. Not a good rating for a fragile LAUSD.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm VERY happy with Riverside Drive. My older son graduated from there in '09 and I have another one in 3rd grade now. The teachers REALLY do care and do a wonderful job.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is in her 2nd year at Riverside. I'm really sorry a couple of parents had bad experiences here. I love this school. The principal is hands-on and caring, I've really liked both of my daughters teachers- and the parent's group is the best. I'll say it again- get involved. The reality with LAUSD right now is no money, no full time janitors, no extra-curricular activities unless parents push and raise money. We just came off our main fall fundraiser, with once again, a handful of parents doing most of the work. And nearly all of us work full time. Not happy? Want to change something? GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL!
--Submitted by a parent

For the most part, it's a great school. I suppose all schools have their bad apples and ours is no exception. There are three teachers whose class I wouldn't want my kids in and, unfortunately, this year I got one of them. I'm thinking of pulling my kid out. I had to talk to the principal about the situation and my child reports the situation is better, BUT I'M KEEPING MY EYE ON IT and if the teacher starts up again with my child, I'm pulling out my child. The principal refused to transfer my child ("or I'll have to transfer everyone") and told me in so many words that I'll have to do what I'll have to do. O.K. Gauntlet is down.
--Submitted by a parent

great neighborhood school
--Submitted by a parent

Love the parent group and the numerous after school options. Nice library. Feels like a nice community.
--Submitted by a parent

I took my son out of this school. I do not recommend it. The students are falling through the cracks.