Champs - Charter High School of Arts-Multimedia & Performing

I think that CHAMPS gives different experiences for different parents and students. If you are in performing arts with their separate PTA and are wealthy, your experience can be very different from a student from the neighborhood with no money to donate. Having said that there are also great differences in different academies and departments. Math and science outside of the upper level AP and honors course and excepting some biology are abysmal. Test scores bear that out. English and social studies seem to be much stronger with exceptions. Communication has improved somewhat. There is still a distinct problem with teachers and administration failing to answer emails, return calls, address issues and teachers have a problem with timely entry of grades into Teacherease. BUT, I have seen the school working to weed out poorly performing teachers and only one of my child's teachers this year fails to answer any emails or phone calls. For an artistic child it's a good choice. For the more academically inclined it's a mixed bag and you need to be very proactive. The new ED seems very professional. Perhaps the new principal will remedyb the leadership vaccum.
—Submitted by a parent

Champs Charter High School of Arts-Multimedia & Performing is an outstanding high school in so many ways! My daughter is in 9th grade and is very happy here! Our family feels lucky to have found a public high school that offers so many different choices of academies. Our daughter enrolled in the Media Arts Academy. The first year students are exposed to four different components in what is called the wheel; Digital Photography and Photoshop, Painting and Drawing, Short Film Production & Media Literacy. She has chosen to specialize in Digital Photography and Photoshop. Students that complete this program can take an exam & become certified in Adobe. What a tremendous opportunity for a student right out of high school! Being a charter school gives the school more freedom to develop programs that are "outside the box." We have found so many of the teachers to be inspiring & passionate about teaching. The ninth grade counselor has been supportive & available to meet to discuss personal & academic issues. Hopefully, new families will come to Governance Council & Booster Club meetings to be a real part of the school community! Parents that want to be involved are needed!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a Junior and has thrived and excelled her past three years here. The classes and studies are interesting, invoking and inspiring. There is such a respect between the teachers and students. No bullies here! The students also respect and are accepting of each others differences whether it be race, creed, color, religion, handicaps or sexual orientation. There is no other high school as magical as this!
—Submitted by a parent

I love CHAMPS! I am a sophomore and I love it here. The teachers are amazing and they are all very supportive and understanding. The staff is amazing and friendly. Overall CHAMPS is awesome.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter graduated from this school a few years ago and now my son is a student. Both of my children love this school! While there have been challenges with a few changes in leadership in recent years, there is a solid leadership in place now. Excellent school with a supportive student population. The interests in the arts connect all students, and provide the framework to be inclusive of all irrespective of differences. While my son is not particularly artistically inclined, he likes the supportive, encouraging atmosphere and that students share their opinions openly and discuss them with no judgment or criticism. Parents, there are great opportunities for all, and especially for students with drive and initiative!
—Submitted by a parent

This is my son's third year at CHAMPS. When we first started there was a fair degree of turnover at the administrative level, which I think has resulted in some of the anxious/negative comments, but that seems to be stabilizing. I like the teachers a lot and the relatively newer people coming in at the administrative level have been positive and responsive. My son loves the school. I give the school a 4 rather than 5 because the physical space has its limitations and because like any other public school CHAMPS is struggling with resources and student/teacher ratio, but that comes with the territory.
—Submitted by a parent

We are reading the varies comments posted by the parents; and I would like to know should I allow my son, to attend The CHAMPS school? Currently, we are in private, Catholic school and have been for 4 years; my son is interested into Media; and he is more the performing arts type. I don't want my desires or other parents dislikes about the school's administrative stand in his way? What are your suggestions? Ms. Clarification! Thank you...
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter LOVES this school. Everyone fits in with someone. Lots of diversity. She got straight A's her freshman year and loves her teachers. That is all that matters to me. She's happy! I don't love that they have two campuses...think the halls in Phoenix Bldg are toooo narrow, but the Church Campus is wonderful! The best thing about Champs...Brad Koepenick.
—Submitted by a parent

After having read many of the reviews, I was a bit skeptical before the beginning of this school year. My daughter is a freshman and she came from a much larger school. It is now December 1, 2011 and I am so pleased with my daughters teachers, their enthusiasm, their qualifications, their interest and their great communicaton. i ALWAYS know what happening on campus, and how she is doing in her classes. The Honors classes are challenging, but encompass many aspects of the arts as well. I must say that all in all I, my husband, and my daughter are VERY pleased with the education, the teachers, and the atmosphere. It has put me at ease and I am looking forward to the remainder of her years to be the same.
—Submitted by a parent

I wanted to share my wonderful experience at CHAMPS with you. My child entered as a freshman this year. Making that high school decision was a tough one. The reviews here were so varied. Without bias,I must say that we are delighted with CHAMPS. First off, the academics are first rate.My Honors student is extremely challenged and has plenty of homework to back it all up. I was so impressed with the teachers at Back To School night. Their qualifications and joy of teaching are thrilling. It's a great college prep education. The variety of electives and Academies are all the icing on the cake. The New Media program has been top notch and we were so impressed with the theatre presentations that we attended last year. When I toured the school last year. I was amazed at how nice and outgoing the children were. My child has found that to be true and told me yesterday that she has never been in such a friendly setting even in elementary school. I feel that the administration and all the office staff are very helpful.We had a slight schedule issue in the beginning of the year and it was handled with personal care. Great parent participation, amazing college counselor and lockers too.BRAVO!
—Submitted by a parent

It's interesting to read the criticisms of CHAMPS. To be sure, there have been some changes in the school, and it's not perfect. But the teachers are very dedicated and generally of high quality. They go above and beyond for the students. And, the API scores continue to indicate the high quality of education. It's still a relatively young Charter school, but you'd be hard pressed to find a better LAUSD school.
—Submitted by a parent

To parents concerned about the variation in positive and negative responses: When CHAMPS first opened it was an exceptional school but in the last year the newly appointed Senior Administrators have taken a financial focus which is never good for students. Whenever there is excessive turnover you can be assured there are issues. To verify just call the school and ask how much turnover they have had in the last year that will give you your answer. Champs is no longer selective with the entrance process if you have a heart beat you can be admitted. The entire school year the transcripts from my child s former school was never requested. Many teachers do not post grades for months on teacherease and they do not send out report cards.
—Submitted by a parent

The majority if reviews here are from parents and I am a student at CHAMPS here to reassure you. I am going to be a sophomore and I loved my freshman year. I am in the Drama Academy and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The freshman drama teacher changed me as a person. Don't be afraid of sending your kid to this school due to the parental reviews. I loved it. Most people who dont like it just really don't care about school in general and I saw that a lot. CHAMPS is making a lot of changes and for the better. I love my school and it's doing a lot better than other schools. And remember parents: private DOESNT mean better.
—Submitted by a student

I think the whole "the parents are cranky but the students are happy" has pretty much been debunked by the the three (3!) student protests including the newly elected student council. It is ridiculous and extremely disrespectful to the parents who want a good education for their children, and the children themselves, to continue to deny, cover-up and if all else fails name call. Go to the GoPetition website (search CHAMPS) and look at some of the comments from students and parents and read whats going on with the executive board. I am not impressed with the new principal. He seems to find parents annoying and an intrusion at best. So many teachers are resigning. Also it's not a performing arts and media school anymore. Now more than 50% of the students aren't arts at all and the name is changing. Where was the consultation and communication for all of this? There is no communication at CHAMPS and you're a bad person if you think it should be otherwise. No one cared about my kid. She was taken out of a promised class and dumped in another with, again, no notice or consultation. Still no report cards or final grades. No schedules for next year.What a shame.
—Submitted by a parent

Charter High School of the Arts, Multi-Media and Performing, is high school as we all hoped it might be or could be! Students here are brilliant, creative, and aware, so kind and compassionate, intensely creative and dynamic. Students here are valued for the unique individuals they are! What's most incredible is that the school community of parents, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and board encourages and nurtures every single student in finding their passion and pursuing it! Charter High School of the Arts offers a myriad of avenues for the creative student to develop their gifts, be it in Media, Performing Arts, Film, Robotics, Visual Arts, Radio, Creative Writing, Athletics, or Community Service Projects. The Faculty is top-notch and supremely dedicated, caring for the welfare, growth, and learning of all students. Please come visit us at champscharter.org or call (818) 994-7614. We have ongoing tours of our school throughout the school year which begins August 22nd. Please come find out for yourself about our most magnificent school. Sincerely, --Dedicated to CHAMPS
—Submitted by a teacher

To the parent who attributes negative reviews to cranky parents, let me first say that I was determined to give the new ED a chance and have listened quietly at Board Meetings before formulating an opinion on the changes that have occurred over the last year. When other parents bemoaned the demise of the school when the new ED took over, I said give it a chance. Even when the PA heads were terminated, I gave the ED the benefit of the doubt. I am not cranky - I am disenchanted and sad. It breaks my heart to see what has happened to this school in less than a year. Yesterday, we lost some great teachers. I imagine we will lose more over the summer. Board members are dismissive and rude to any parent who dares to ask a question or express an opinion contrary to a Board decision. At Board Metings, "open discussion" is placed on the agenda BEFORE any agenda item of controversy. If parents then wants to as a question, we are told that the open discussion portion of the meeting is over. The Board and ED govern with intimidation, fear and arrogance. This must stop. I used to recommend this school to my friends with younger children. I no longer do.
—Submitted by a parent

Unbelievably good teachers at this school. Much better academics than LACHSA (both from word of mouth and by API scores--823 vs. 663). I'm looking for stronger leadership from some of the administration, but the teachers are fantastic.
—Submitted by a parent

Hi all By the new head do you new Exc. Director or the School principal Thanks

If your child does not fit in at a regular public school because they are creative, artsy or deemed "different" they will be embraced at CHAMPS. CHAMPS is a school where the arts and education are blended seamlessly. My child attended for 4 years and has grown as both an artist and a person during that time. My child was accepted to her first choice college as was about 90% of the other graduates. CHAMPS rocks!
—Submitted by a parent

If you read the bad reviews, please be aware they are written by a few very cranky parents whose children LOVE the school. There are heads of the various performing arts - Dance, Music, Drama all have a chair person. The students in performing arts are very happy and amazing performers. The Robotics department head left for personal reasons, there is a temporary teacher for the rest of the school year. A new head will be in place when the new school year starts. If you wonder if this is the right school for your child - tour the campus, attend the MANY performing arts events between now and the end of the year. This coming Saturday is an all day performing arts event. The Teachers, administrators and support staff are FABULOUS. The class size tops at, I think, 25. The attendance rate is 97%. All of the seniors who applied to colleges and universities were accepted; only a few did not apply. The students are learning a lot, they are HAPPY. PLEASE ignore the complaining parents and instead ask their children about the school. Administration welcomes parent input. There are a huge number of volunteers and involved parents.
—Submitted by a parent