Woodland Hills Academy

My granddaughter has attended WHA for 6th grade and has had two of the greatest teachers. If I ever needed any information they responded sooner tthan 24 hours. We could always see her progress on line at Jupiter Grades and keep up with everything. The office staff has always been very helpful especially the 6th grade counselor. She is now getting ready for 7th grade and I know she will be just as happy.

I am a sixth grade teacher at WHA, and although I am sure there is an element of truth in every complaint, I would like to offer a fair evaluation of our school and our teachers. We are a teacher led school, which is actually the best thing that can happen for your child. We get to create our own curriculum and tailor it to the students, which also means modifying and differentiating as needed. Most of us are good friends, and there is very little bickering . We are truly happy and feel energized and lucky to teach in a school where it is a pleasure to come to work. I can't speak for all teachers, but my emails are returned within 24 hours- always :) We like kids, have fun with them, let them input into their own learning, and have very high scores when you take out the subgroups. Our GATE kids continually outscore other area middle schools in English and Math. When there is a higher percentage of English language learners, you will always have a lower API score--that is normal. And finally, although we love our wonderful parents and respect their input, you don't really want a school where the parents lead...best to leave it to the credentialed professionals.
—Submitted by a teacher

This is our first year at WHA and we love the teachers and Principal Ed. Go WHA!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going here for two years and has quite a good experience. At first we were worried as most of her friends from elementary were going other places. However, she quickly made some new friends. The school has a transition 6th grade and the students are really watched out for. She had some fantastic teachers. 7th grade was more challenging. Teachers were more strict and there was a lot of homework. All of her used email and responded within 24 hours and posted homework online which was very helpful when she was absent. It isn't a perfect school but overall I am happy with her education.
—Submitted by a parent

Ad a teacher at WHA, I have to say that Mr. Ed does not do anything that the teachers don't want him to do. He is very collaborative. I am stumped by our loss of API this year, but I know Principal Ed will help us recover to the great school we were a few years ago. He is beloved by the teachers, parents, and kids alike. I like working at WHA.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school has students in grades 6, 7, and 8 only. Mr. Ed the principal is a nice fellow but you will never get your calls returned by him or his staff, and the teachers rule the roost and Mr. Ed. As my last kid finishes WHA this year, I know the school will improve... how can it not? Ask yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

Why would you publish a report like the one claiming to be a parent of a Indigo child.This is truly a sick person who can not accept the fact her child did not meet the academic requirements of the school and the district. She certainly did not launch the fence fund as this was done 4 years ago by the Friends of Woodland Hills Booster group. This school is a gem preparing students for their successful transition to high school and beyond. The school is grades 6-8 not 4-8 as you publish.Too often parents want to blame the teachers for their child's inability to follow directions and do the assigned work. Fortunately, the district has changed the homework policy so that children do not pass through middle school by doing good homeowork.

I am very emotional right now, but I have just faxed the LAUSD superintendant this morning after my daughter was selected NOT to attend the 8th grade picnic. I was asked to pick her up, as she was not worthy to attend with her graduating class! I have told her counselor for two years treat a child like a loser and they will become one! After three years of trying educationally. She FAILED due to being an in a learning environment where the counselor refused to listen to us and removing her from teachers who put down students. My daughter is friends with everyone. She would wake up at 6am to go spread encouragement to her peers. I launched the fence advertising fund and volunteered with the low skilled readers. They are not low skilled readers.They are being screamed at all day and put down.It made me nervous in that environment and I have been working and raising children for 28 years? Indigo kids are smart, but if you put her down she rebels. She simply will not try! The staff told me it was her problem to endure the abuse just like if her boss wasn't a good fit?Great advise for an abused employee or spouse!? Well my daughter academically failed and her precious spirit broken.
—Submitted by a parent

I wish I could rate this school lower. My child is smart but too smart for her own good. The system this school uses does not allow the parents to get involved. I addressed my concerns with the principal who agreed with me but was useless. The teachers here do not post assignments regularly nor do they post necessary files online. if they did the parents could ensure the children were learning what they are graded on. Its up to the students. ya see how well that works. im sure there are a few students who know what they SHOULD be doing. but god help the ones that dont right WHA? that is one of the MAJOR failures of this school. be warned.. dont expect your kid to do good here... they will not learn as much as an online institution that DOES allow the parents to get involved with the assignments and teaching their OWN kids.
—Submitted by a parent

let me add that the teachers were often difficult to get a hold of (not all of them.. some actually responded) but MOST of them could not provide assistance with making sure my child was doing the homework - do to my child losing the assignments they handed. I wish they would make it easier and post ALL the assignments, due dates, and quiz information online.. the principal said this could not be mandated BECAUSE not all students can go online... what a joke of a response.. 2011 and kids cant get internet? lol hayak. you are a joke.
—Submitted by a parent

I have toured the school twice this year and have been impressed both times. The parent involvement seems to be a plus andI like that fact that the principal gives the presentation and constantly asks the question "Is it good for kids?" Uniforms and the block schedule are a plus for me. The location leaves a lot to be desired - on a busy street with traffic noise for the students at lunch time, passing periods and p.e. The library is getting a face lift and much needed attention by the new librarian. Class size is high - which is a major downer - but that seems to be the case LAUSD wide. I would have liked to have seen students presenting at the tour or aiding in the tour process. I'm torn as to which school to send my child next year but have been impressed so far by WHA and the "tour". I only hope - if we do end up there next year - that it's not just a good show - but a good, healthy place for my child to thrive. There seem to be a good number of electives offered, including music. Kids have lockers (unlike the other school high on my list). Not sure if that's a plus or minus? Reading the other reviews, I wonder -"Is the same school I toured?" (Grades 6-8, not 4-8 as listed)

wow - so many thoughts. The teachers are dedicated and professional, committed to giving the students a quality education. The administration is responsive and caring, especially if there are difficulties. However, the students are another story. If your child is a serious academic student, committed to high honors and who can stay focused, this school is a fine place for him or her to be. However, if there is a chance that your child would be susceptible to social infuences, then there are more than enough disrepectful, harrassing ghetto kids at this school that you will want to send them somewhere else. We are pulling our child out of LAUSD for this very reason. Also, please keep your child off facebook and formspring. The brutality that goes on in there with the lowest gutter mouths (especially the girls) is beyond disgusting and shocking. So, a 4 for the teachers and a 4 for the administration. An emphatic "zero" for the type of student that this school seems to have in abundance.
—Submitted by a parent

I really wanted to like this school. I chose WHA since it's our "neighborhood" school instead of transferring to AE Wright as so many of the students from my child's elementary school did. My daughter is in now in 7th grade at WHA and I have to say that I'm just not happy with the quality of education she's receiving and will be transferring her out for 8th grade (if not sooner). It feels like the teachers are just going through the motions....read the chapter, take the test, move on to the next chapter. There's no real teaching going on and my daughter is getting lost. The teachers don't go over missed answers on tests, don't work with the kids individually if they're not doing well on tests. And this is in the Honors classes! I give the school credit for trying, but it just seems like they have more students than they can handle and not enough money to make things work smoothly. Oh, and the fact that she has had personal items stolen out of her backpack doesn't help!
—Submitted by a parent

WHA is a great place for Middle School kids. We have a small student body of diverse backgrounds. The teaching staff is well-trained and cares about their students. We also have a very involved parent group that "gets the job done!"
—Submitted by a teacher

The teachers are amazing!
—Submitted by a parent

A great school, teachers are wonderful!!
—Submitted by a parent

Very good school, love the small class sizes, teachers that care and online grade tracking so you always know how your child is doing-no more waiting for the report card!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Woodland Hills Academy loves all kids and makes them feel welcome~No bully policy~ All the students come from diverse cultural backgrounds and the school really celebrates that. My niece Topanga has met life long friends and she feels safe and loved there. I vote for Woodland Hills Academy for what it has done for my Tpang!
—Submitted by a parent

Not a huge fan of the school...the dean is rude and doesn't have people skills...dances around situations in lieu of taking care of business!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is the best for my child. Everybody there is nice and my child loves that place.
—Submitted by a parent