Chandler Elementary School

This is a pretty awful school for kids with special needs. I found the staff to be unaccommodating, rude and a barrier to getting my child the services he needs. If your child is a general ed child he/she would probably do okay here, but if your child has any learning disabilities or special or additional needs this school may not be for you. Even if you *think* there is a chance your kid will need extra services in the future you might want to think twice about sending him/her here. Go to Riverside Drive or Sherman Oaks instead...
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been at Chandler their entire elementary careers and my daughter will be matriculating to middle school in June. We have had opportunities to change schools, but have stayed at Chandler because of it's size, the diversity of the student population, the quality of the teachers, the curriculum, and the administration, in addition to just feeling at home here. We could not be happier. I have been involved in many of the parent committees and have been thrilled with all of the parents who make the effort and take the time to do what they can to improve the school. It gets better every year, we even have a full time music teacher now, paid for by the PTA. It gives one hope to see people pulling together for the good of the school as a whole, and having become a CA Distinguished School this year, obviously it's working.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started here last year after attending a Montessori Preschool. She already knew alot before going into kinder but we were fortunate enough to get an amazing teacher! She gives her enrichment work and my daughter is doing well.This is the school I love having my child in!
—Submitted by a parent

Bottom line, you'd be fortunate to get in here. The school is fabulous. The scores are outstanding. They are Title One, which means they have a lot more money coming in for the extras to enrich the students. Things like an orchestra and science. They have plenty of help in the classrooms, and while a lot of kids don't come from English speaking homes, they all speak English themselves. There's a small, non-political core of active parents who run the PTA. They are free of snark and judgement, and the fundraising is very low-key. They are up for the much-coveted Distinguished Schools designation this year. So don't be off-put by the 7 on the Great Schools score -- I think that's about 3 points too low. You'll love it here!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent teachers and staff. API has grown to 863 which is right up there with Sherman Oaks and Dixie!! Chandler is a small school that has a newer (amazing, involved principal), and provides a very loving, learning environment for our kids. We are so blessed to have Chandler
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a volunteer reading partner at Chandler for over four years, helping lwith children typically on a one to one basis, but also helping out in the classrooms . I have also participated in special school activities. This is a terrific school! The teachers really do give their all. I've been around long enough to see exremely hard-working , dedicated staff and active PTA, along with enthusiastic , appreciative community participation. It's an honor to be incuded here.

As a former Chandler student back in the 60's -70's I enjoy reading about my school. I did read some reviews and one mentioned how the teacher was "so far so good" but " a bit strict". I have to say that times have changed when teachers are a suppose to be "nice and friendly" and not to anger a child or consequence them. What a soft bunch of parents and kids we seem to have these days. Teachers have to defend themselves vs when the teacher called home the parent respected the call and addressed the problem at home. Too bad for the kids. Not everyone should get the ribbon for just trying. I'm speaking from experience as I became a teacher. I teach PE and more kids have little or no skills related to movement, coordination or basic understanding of games. Fault of the schools or teachers? Partly as many teachers are hamstrung by test scores and analytical thinking is lost. I'm happy that Chandler is still a fine school and is educating a diverse population. I know that there are great parents and teachers in all schools. Without parent support, regardless of the teachers, children do not learn.

Chandler is a gem! The school's API is right on par with Riverside & Dixie Canyon. We have a great PTA & Booster Club with active parents. Our principal, Ms. McIntire, was the AP at Lanai Road and she's worked very hard to get Chandler up to grade with some of the other schools in the area. Our teachers are extremely skilled, efficient and caring. The school is VERY clean, well maintained and has a SMALL teacher/child ratio. The PTA are active in implementing additional art, music, dance & physical Ed - while other school are getting cutbacks. We spent a fortune sending our daughter to different private schools, all the while Chandler was right under our nose! I highly recommend looking at Chandler before you give up on LAUSD.
—Submitted by a parent

Chandler is really a wonderful, charming, diverse, gem of a school. We love it! Not only is it beautiful aesthetically, with its mature trees and clean grounds, it has a great Principal, teachers and administrative staff. Committed parent volunteers and PTA members have really stepped up to involve themselves and contribute to the school's success. The education is first rate and our child has flourished beautifully.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends chandler and so far so good...I like his teacher. She is nice but yet stricked. I also like the fact that this school doesnt have that manny student and therfore the teaches can focus on our childres education rather that the size of the class..
—Submitted by a parent

Well I am a former student from Chandler and I loved it. The teachers are very supporting and challenging. I love the environment it is in and even better the staff. Great School- Great Staff
—Submitted by a student

My child recently culminated from Chandler and had a wonderful experience. The teachers and curriculum are terrific and more than challenging. For those of you who commented on the lack of parental involvement, where were you? The PTA sponsored many enrichments programs and there were always opportunities for parents to be involved. Parents need to beware of the gossip and 'hype' regarding certain schools which gets passed along as gospel. Fancy fundraiser dinner dances don't always translate into sound programs and committed teachers. Teachers and the effort they put into their classrooms is what counts and Chandler's teaching staff is superb!
—Submitted by a parent

I would like to respond to those commentors here who mention a lack of parental involvement. As Gandhi says, Be the change you want to see in the world. In other words, are you part of the solution, or part of the problem? How many of you citing poor parental involvement have worked any of our numerous fundraisers, or raised your hand when the call went out for committee chairpersons? Poor parental involvement is rampant in most schools, and there s only one solution: Get involved! Don t depend on other parents to carry your load. My children have attended Chandler since my youngest was in kindergarten, and I ve been extremely satisfied with every aspect of the school. The principal is great, the teachers are first-rate, and any problems are addressed immediately and appropriately. Hardly any of the families in my neighborhood attend Chandler, but that s a topic for another place...
—Submitted by a parent

Chandler elementary is a good school if you don't want your child to have challenge. Lack of parent involvement because lack of support from staff and administration. Observe other schools before picking this one.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a good educational program but not enough parental involvement or extra curricular activities. Some of the teachers are not aggressive enough and there's not enough after school supervision. Speaking from my experience, the parking is terrible, they are somewhat disorganized and they don't address social issues well at all. If you have any choices to choose from, I would not pick this school as the first choice, but it would be taken into consideration.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is finishing her first year at Chandler. I have been so pleased with my choice to send her here. The teachers are excellent, the administration is committed to students, teachers, and parents, the arts and pe program is more than I could have hoped for. As a former LAUSD teacher, I am pretty picky, and I have been thrilled with everything so far. The parent involvement is not strong, but the PTA talks about wanting to strengthen. There is some disorganization, but I feel like that is just an area for improvement, not a serious flaw. This is a great school
—Submitted by a parent

The SRLDP (Pre-K) program at Chandler is the best kept secret in the Sherman Oaks area. The teacher and teacher's aides are amazing. It rivals any private pre-school. My son and his classmates ended the school year more than ready for kindergarten, both academically and socially.
—Submitted by a parent

Chandler Elementary is a wonderful school for your child to attend. Both of my children are attending Chandler and I could'nt be more happier with the education their getting. Teachers are very professional. We need more parent involvement at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

So far, this school has exceeded most of our expectations. The two teachers we have had are incredible. The curriculum is challenging and motivates the child to learn. The parent involvement is small and needs to improve. Its a shame that most of the local children do not attend this school. Because the school is a gem. I can promise anyone that the education a child gets here is equal if not better than any private school in and around this area.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is wonderful, with an outstanding staff, especially the principal, Errol Haft. I have two children attending, and couldn't be happier with the curriculum and the learning environment.
—Submitted by a parent