Brentwood Science School

We selected BSM for it's wonderful diversity and well-rounded curriculum. This science magnet offers a revolving schedule of four (4) labs - earth science, life science, physical science and computer science. GREAT model. AND art and music that is funded through the active parent group (FBSME). The art teacher is a renowned local artist who draws out amazing creations from the kids and the music teacher is a talented musician adored by all. In this age of horrible budget cuts it is imperative that parents, teachers and administration work cooperatively to make a difference. BSM works! There are GATE opportunities (e.g. parent involvement, lunchtime enrichment) as well as intervention and support for English language learners and other sub-groups. We had our daughter in private pre-school and Kindergarten and worried about the transition to this VERY large public magnet school. Best choice we ever made. She transitioned with ease (now in 3rd grade) - thriving academically and socially with diverse friends from a variety of backgrounds. My only wish is that more parents could be active on a regular basis (difficult because of work schedules and horrible LA traffic).
—Submitted by a parent

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BSM is a great school! They have a new engaged principal who is very committed to improving an already great program (e.g. initiating a student leadership program for grades 3+). All staff respect diversity. The administration is caring and attentive, knowledgable, multilingual. Full time nurse and multiple specialists. Excellent science labs, enormous campus/park-like setting, heart of Brentwood, free bussing from your local school, free afterschool programs, lunchtime enrichment, family nights, etc. Excellent teachers who know teaching to the test is not a full education; utilize group activities and other approches to enhance children's learning. As a science magnet, critical thinking is emphasized throughout all subjects. GATE is embedded in classrooms with differential teaching; sciene labs would qualify as advanced science for all - hands on science. Our neighborhood school is a 950+; and we choose BSME because it is a great school, progressive, diverse, and respectful of children.
—Submitted by a parent

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Teachers range from average to great. There are some who seem to invest so much into their class and others who seemed they didn't care. Class work and homework depended on the teacher. Some teachers were organized and others weren't. Some gave frequent updates between grade reporting periods and others gave none. It's best if parents are proactive with their child's teacher. There is no separate gifted program which was very disappointing. You will need outside didactics if your child isn't challenged enough. The diversity of the student body is a major plus. My biggest complaint was the morning drop-off time at 7:50 am (and no earlier) which made it extremely difficult for parents who needed to be at work by 8 am. There is a particular main office staff member who was consistently rude and did not seem to understand or care. Cafeteria food was fair. The student body is very large with large class sizes. The school is amazingly well-organized and maintained to accomodate such a volume of students. However, if your child does not excel in this kind of enviroment, I would recommend a smaller school. A lot of fundraisers throughout the year. Overall I give this school a C+.
—Submitted by a parent

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Great school. My gifted son finished his math homework early, and the teacher brought in math students from UCLA to challenge the advanced kids. Three afterschool programs, two of which are free. One offered free was running $400 or more at other schools. Kids were greatly enriched in the free after-school programs: 2 musicals per year. My daughter entered the orchestra program which will last from second semester of her 3rd grade until she graduates from 5th grade. My son was in the 4th grade chorus. Both kids received 3 units of science, 1 unit of computer science, a unit of music, and a unit of art in addition to whatever is being offered by their regular teachers. Full magnet points upon graduation. Getting my kids into this school is like winning the lottery, and with the strong academic standards, this is a better school than my local charter school which is rated in the 900s but won't spend a dime tested my kids.
—Submitted by a parent

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