Kester Avenue Elementary School

I recently attended the school's fair/fundraiser and I was so impressed with the organization, the turn out and the diversity for the families. The school looked clean, the kids and families were having fun and I later heard from a neighbor that they raised over 15K that day for school improvement projects. To me, that says the PTA is doing an amazing job.

It would be great to have teacher names so we know what to steer away from...
--Submitted by a parent

I will have to say that my daughter's teacher is doing. She goes out of her way to help her students in whatever the problem might be. The principal I don't know what to think of her. I made a call to her and her answers were very short and no concern of what is going on. She just wants a paycheck if you ask me. There are other teachers that act more helpful and interested on the students that her. Very dissapointed at her. But what do we expect from a LAUSD school, right. If I could afford to send my child to a private school it would be a different story. Good luck to all of us parents whom we are trying to give our kids a great education
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers coninue to make this school a gem in spite of the budget challenges. It could always use more parent volunteers, but the quality and commitment of the teachers enable the students to be very prepared for middle school. Don't overlook this school or pay too much attention to parental reviews below. If your child is enrolled here, please get involved. Every little bit helps.
--Submitted by a parent

Kester only pays attention to students whose parenets that volenteer, even if your student excels in all subjects. They don't know why people can't volenteer. Maybbe some people don't have the time or the money. The staff only think about themselves and don't pay attention to the students. The principal barely is seen on campus. The fauculty is horrible. Only a very little amount of teachers notice your child. If you are thinking to send your child here, think again.
--Submitted by a parent

Does this school teach to the test? I will answer by telling you that I asked my fourth grader the other day what the capital of his country was and he could not tell me.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is finishing 1st Grade at Kester... she was there for Kindergarden as well and got to transfer to an overflow class which was a huge blessing because the teacher was amazing. Now finishing 1st Grade I can only say good things about the teacher. Yes the school is struggling with all the budget issues and it's hard for all of us but imagine being a teacher in today's world. I think if a teacher can come to work and do their best despite the craziness around them well then you have a great teacher. One who cares. I can only speak of my own personal experience.
--Submitted by a parent

God bless the same 8 parents who are involved with the school and also the wonderful teachers. Unfortunately, we had to take our child out due to safety issues. The campus is filthy. The principal is weak. This school is overcrowded and young children are under-supervised. Go to the PTA meetings and you'll hear all about it (i.e. 200 kids being watched by 1 adult on the yard at lunchtime.) With the district cuts and the consequential loss of 7 Kester teachers, the school is expected to have up to 38 students per classroom for the 2011-2012 school year. This is a disgrace. No more LAUSD for us.
--Submitted by a parent

Weekly testing is mandated by the school board and required. Both of my kids went through Kester Avenue School - one in the Magnet and one in regular Kester. I hear that the testing scores are high but welcome to the world of parents not getting involved. When my kids were there the same 8 women did all the fund-raising every year. Other people are happy to sit back and reap the rewards. There is no State money. If you want to improve your schools then get involved like we did and be part of the solution!
--Submitted by a parent

I echo the sentiments of the person whose post begins "We've been very disappointed in Kester since..." I have a special needs child in 3rd grade also and the teacher is completely inflexible and honestly, seems to not care. It's incredibly disheartening. My child's IEP is inadequate and you have to jump through beaurocratic hoops to get it amended, or to get anyone to even listen to you. Needless to say, I'm looking at other schools.
--Submitted by a parent