La Ballona Elementary School, K-5 (Public)

La Ballona is a gem. With a city campus, this school still manages to have wonderful play areas for the kids, while excelling at academics! With PE every day, a new Spanish Immersion program, and a Principal who really cares about each and every student, we couldn't ask for more. But the school could. With budget cuts, this money would mean more art programs for the upper grades, additional music programs for the first grade and much more. I vote for La Ballona Elementary!

I find the overall rating of this school to be frustrating. The school has increased its test scores and won several awards for its academic improvement. The Spanish immersion program is exactly the same as El Marino. The parent involvement is increasing. All we need is for the school to update their own website!

My son started at La Ballona and is now in 5th grade. My daughter is in 1st grade. They love their school. My daughter adored her Kindergarten teacher. I didn't think it was possible but she likes her first grade teacher even more! When my child comes home and plays 'school' and does her 'writers workshop' at home, making and illustrating stories, I know she's doing well. The principal is amazing and very open to ideas from the parents. My son has had great, experienced and dedicated teachers. These teachers come to the PTA and booster club meetings, volunteer at fundraising events and one 5th grade teacher stays after school on her own time 3 days a week to run a 'homework club' for 5th graders. La Ballona has the most experienced teachers in the district, a rich multicultural student body and fantastic involved parents. It really is a gem.

My child is in the Spanish Immersion program in Kindergarten. She loves the school and the teachers. We have an amazing principle who has done great things with the school on the academic side. The new Booster club and the PTA are very involved and offer a great way for parents to feel they are contributing.

My child attend this school since kidergarten until first grade. My child's experience in kidergarten was wonderful, but I cannot say the same for first grade. Some teachers enforce too much dicipline and stress the children. The school is located on a main street and can be dangerous during pick-up and dro-off. The school does have fundraisers but this events are sometimes not well organized.

Love the diversity at the school, the teacher's involvment, and the parent support.

What a great place I can't imagine why anyone who lives in this area would not go to this school. It's got the warmth of a nursery school. We have 2 kids there and they love it. We love it.

La Ballona School is an amazing school where my child has thrived. The principal has proven to be a great leader. The teachers are superb, respectful of their students and creative with the curriculum. The new teachers are mentored by the veterans, ensuring that LaBallona will keep its good teacher culture. Most of all, it's a happy, stimulating learning environment for the kids. And their academic performance proves it!

My grandson goes to La Ballona. His parents and I are all very happy and so is he. His teacher lets him move ahead of curriculum. He loves the after-school program. He has taken classes in acting, music, and many other things. He has wonderful friends. The parents are very involved. He was in love with his kindergarten teacher and now with his first grade teacher. When I go to pick him up, he does not want to leave because he is having so much fun.

This school is too heavily influenced by partisan politics and a social agenda in the classroom. My kids loved their teachers and did well, however the school as a whole was never a fit for us. There needs to be more focus on fundamental academics and fit in cultural studies after that. Too much catering to non-english speaking kids and their 'homeland' customs. Not enough to stimulate the english speaker in the first couple of grades.Little value placed on the history of and integration into American life and culture. The best thing was the Math + music program and the teacher. Another plus is zero tolerance for bullying and fighting.

There's a lot of chatter at our playgrounds about La Ballona. Some positive, but most, I hate to say it, not so good. Why??!!! La Ballona is an amazing school. The teachers are amazing, close knit, committed. The student body, a great mix of cultures. I've seen some really healthy competition amongst the students! It really warms my heart that there is a strong, positive Muslim presence (we're near the mosque). This by itself will teach us all to accept and befriend rather than hate. And last but not least, our standards are really good. Sure we can't compete with a school like El Marino or Farragut, but we have a different student body. So before you believe the hype, ask someone who knows. Call the principal! LB rocks!!!

La Ballona is a Grrrreat School!!! The teachers are wonderful and Frankly, they are priceless! My son is going to the 4th grade and we have had nothing but great experiences and memories. What is great about the school is that it is so diverse. I would recommend this school to anyone. They have great programs such as math + music, and actor's gang. The PTA is a great parent and teacher organization that really care about our students and all children in general.

My son entered the school in the 2nd grade and is now a 5th grader ready to graduate and begin jr. high. This school is really preparing him for the next step.

My children have been at La Ballona for 4 years now, and I will vehemently disagree with any of the other posted comments by parents saying that parent involvement at the school isn't welcomed and appreciated. It's a great school in all ways. The teachers are amazing; smart, confident and focused on the individual needs of each child. Bravo! La Ballona teachers and Principal.

My son has been going to La Ballona since K and he is now finishing the 3rd grade. The parent involvement is nearly null and void unless you are in the 'select group'. The meeting times for the PTA are erradict and not parent friendly. As for the teachers we have had two great teachers and one ok.

My son enrolled at La Ballona at the end of October 2006. He is in 2nd grade. His class is taught piano twice a week, and also they participate in computer class twice a week. I think these are great learning tools for children especially for those students that have any learning gaps. These extra curricular activities are the result of an organized PTA. My son's class has a 20 minute visitaton rule which I think is a little strict for me, but I do understand that a parent's visit can be disruptive. I am very happy with La Ballona, and I would recommend it to anyone. I have not had the chance to discuss any matters with the prinicipal. I will take responsibility for this. I should have made an appt. with the prinicipal to take about her direction.

My children and I have been involved at La Ballona for 4 years now, and I think it is a great school. Teachers have always impresseed me, and both Principals that I've seen have been great. Academics seem to be tailored to each child's need. I think that more sports would be nice, and art. I think that parent involvement is always welcomed, but it may take a bit of initiative on the parents. If the teachers were more forthcoming with their needs, I think there woudl be more more parent involvement. Keep up the great work!

A wonderful group of educated, caring teachers.

I was pleasantly surprised by the kindergarten education at La Ballona. My child's teacher is very structured and organized and in tune with my child's needs.

This is our first year at La Ballona. So far we are very impressed with the teacher and principal.

La Ballona is a great school, they have a program called STAR my daughter loves it, All the teachers are great and highly quilified, the Principle is very nice, My daughter enjoys going to school every morning!

Unfortunately, this school's new principal had a rather rigid and fearful attitude about parent involvement and it had a negative impact on the school. I withdrew my son after completion of 4th grade, although I had been very satisfied with his K-3 experience before the change in administration.

Sadly, this school used to be a warm, very parent-friendly school where the community gathered in support of the kids educational environment. Then a new principal came and everything we had worked to create changed rather drastically. Several parents pulled their children out withint the first few months. I did after one year with her in charge. Other parents could find this school tolerable, even adequate, but it wasn't for our family.

This is a awesome school, the teacher are great and princible is wonderful. The one thing that is also great is that they have the best S.T.A.R after school program on the westside. There teacher love there jobs and the childrens in the program. And what else can you you say about the two people who run the program there they are the most loving people who will love your children like if they were yours you shoud just come and look at La Balliona.