Reviews

 

"I seriously am in love with this school and how everyone from principal to teachers to parents to PTA organizers come together to create a positive school culture which celebrates our kids. Both my children are enrolled in the Dual Immersion Spanish Language program and I'm thrilled with the results. I absolutely love participating in all the school's cultural events which recognize various heritages ranging from folkloric dancing for Dia de los muertos to honoring Black History month to celebrating Chinese New Year. Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into feeding our children's hearts+A10 and minds. <3"

- Posted February 10, 2016 on Great Schools

 

"I adore Grand View Elementary School. Some of my best childhood memories revolve around my experiences at the school. I had amazing, dedicated teachers who I continue to keep in contact with to this day. I am so thankful to have been a part of the school's Dual Language Program because I believe that my success as a student has a great deal to do with the impact of that program. I excelled in middle school, earning a scholarship that would reward me from 7th grade until high school graduation with $1200 every semester to pay for any educational expenses, (which included purchasing a laptop, taking a trip to New York, and visiting many museums and plays/musicals.) I graduated middle school with many honors and went on to high school where I also excelled and graduated with honors and went on to a four year college. The Dual Language Program gave me many advantages when it came to school work, learning foreign languages, and getting jobs. I know that if it wasn't for the Dual Language Program, I would have had a harder time in French class for sure! It is my opinion that the Dual Language Program is a MUST for parents who want their children to succeed not only in school but in life."

"Grand View is an exceptional school! We feel so blessed to have found this gem! My boys are in first & third grades & they are absolutely thriving! We are an English only home (my husband & I do not speak Spanish), but they both read & speak Spanish beautifully! My 3rd grader is doing a research project on the planet Saturn & will present it in Español! The teachers are exceptional! Very committed & really do go above & beyond! I am very fond of them ALL! Mr. Ortiz, our principal, is just the best! Very involved, committed, interested, approachable...the PTA is a a lot of fun & as a parent, I am enjoying this experience so much as well! GV has a great community of parents that are very involved; we have an amazing community! We also have a gorgeous garden & garden teacher that teaches the kids to actually cook AND we have an incredible ARTS program AND music! Such a great place- could NOT be HAPPIER!"

 

"Grand View Blvd. Elementary is the hidden gem of Mar Vista! My daughter attended a fantastic Pre-K program last year: FREE. This year we decided between two Spanish Immersion Kinder programs. We were unsure of the 90/10 Spanish/English ratio, worried it would be too much Spanish all at once. We didn't want our daughter to feel alienated in a class with all Spanish speakers when she knew so little herself. But after doing research and meeting with wonderful parents and teachers during the tour last year, we decided on Grand View and are thrilled with our decision. Our child was speaking and understanding Spanish within a few weeks. She's singing songs, reading and writing in Spanish-AND English! Her teacher and staff are FANTASTIC, passionate, skilled, loving. Her classmates are great kids, and the demographic of her school is a great balance of kids from all walks of life, ethnic and racial backgrounds. The most important thing is she's having a wonderful Kinder year, is very happy, and is-almost magically-A SPANISH SPEAKER! Grand View has a wonderful, smart and active PTA, a kind, warm Principal, and is a lovely gem in our community. Thank you Grand View, GO DRAGONS"

 

"We enrolled our kindergartener after being wait-listed at the "other district language" schools, admittedly, not our first choice. It should have been. I can't believe more parents aren't pitching up tents to make sure they get in. They will be soon. It's the only 90/10 DL program in all of LAUSD, which I've researched, is the best way for a non-native speaker to master the 2nd language, and actually excel at it. It's been around for over 20 years, the teachers, the principal, the parents are GREAT!! We recently had hundreds of volunteers over several weekends, beautifying the school - painting, planting, murals, cleaning, fixing, etc. It still needs more work BUT the very passionate and active parents and teachers will get us there. Concerned about API scores? Don't be short-sighted. Our Kindergartener is thriving and now even corrects my Spanish. The DL teachers put on a Spring Festival where the kids dance and sing in Spanish. There's art and music 1 x per week vs. 1 x per month like the other schools. The parents are working to make GV the school of 1st choice for Spanish Immersion."

 

"We were unsure of the 90/10 Spanish/English ratio, worried it would be too much Spanish all at once. We didn't want our daughter to feel alienated in a class with all Spanish speakers when she knew so little herself. But after doing research and meeting with wonderful parents and teachers during the tour last year, we decided on Grand View and are thrilled with our decision. Our child was speaking and understanding Spanish within a few weeks. She's singing songs, reading and writing in Spanish-AND English! Her teacher and staff are FANTASTIC, passionate, skilled, loving. Her classmates are great kids, and the demographic of her school is a great balance of kids from all walks of life, ethnic and racial backgrounds."

"My child is in the Spanish dual immersion program. There are great, engaging and caring people in the program with lots of parent involvement and there are people who care and a show a true concern for the students. I don't live in the immediate school zone, but I easily permitted in and find it welcoming. The teachers have a passion for teaching in the dual immersion program. There are many social and special events in evening that create a great community. A great parent center too."

 

"I love the neighborhood feel, the friendly, like-minded parents I'm meeting in the PTA, the authentic Hispanic culture that is widely embraced and celebrated, the incredible gardening program, the fact that my child gets art and music classes every single week and PE most days, cooking and computers, and free after-school care with fun clubs."

 

Here is a school review for Grand View West (formerly James J. McBride Special Education Center):

"My daughter went from Beethoven to McBride...this school is a cut above the rest. Words can not express the dedication, love and attention this school give every child. The AP 'walks on water' yes you do Ms. Betty! Teacher Joyce - you will not find a more knowledgeable, intelligent, compassionate individual. She know each and every one of her students. That school has been our family for the past year and it hurts to leave. But because of McBride our daughter will be full inclusion Kinder in Sept. The Speech therapist Perri - you won't find better. The OT, Michelle again - you won't find better. This school is an undiscovered treasure...we cannot say enough..."