Schools > Public > Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School

Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet Elementary School in Burbank, California

Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet Elementary School Detail

(818) 349-4801
17020 Labrador St.
Northridge, CA 91325
Levels: 1-5
District: Los Angeles Unified School District


Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet Elementary School Census Data

Census InfoValueYear
Student Teacher Ratio:19.8% (2008)
White, non-Hispanic:38.82% (2009)
Black, non-Hispanic:2.02% (2009)
Hispanic:19.88% (2009)
Asian:29.81% (2009)
Pacific Islander:0.16% (2009)
Native American or Native Alaskan:0.16% (2009)
Unspecified:3.88% (2009)
Filipino:5.28% (2009)
Percent Free and Reduced Price Lunch:19.22% (2008)

Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet Elementary School Ratings Summary

Average Quality Rating5
Average Principals Rating4
Average Teachers Rating5
Average Activities Rating4
Average Parents Rating5
Average Safety Rating5

Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet Elementary School Reviews

Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-12-09
“My son started here in 1st grade, and he is now in 5th. Our experiences here have been truly wonderful. His teacher this year, Mr. Brescher, is enthusiastic and inspiring. We will miss the community here at Balboa, most of all when we move on after this year. I know my son will be ready for middle school.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-12-07
“My son went to this school from 2nd grade to 5th grade and he had the best experience there. His 5th grade teacher Mr. Brescher is the best. He is an inspirational teacher. All the kids loved him”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-10-20
“All three of my children have attended Balboa and are continuing there Magnet School experience at Millikan Performing Arts Magnet and Granada Hills Charter High School. Balboa helped prepare them well.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-10-06
“Balboa Magnet is a true community, where everyone, including teachers and students, pitches in to do whatever it takes to make the school the best it can be. From enrichment classes to neighborhood outreach, we are turning out young citizens, prepared to go far in their education and in life.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-09-17
“Great School with great parent volunteers. Children learn at an accelerated pace which leaves time for many wonderful extra curricular activities.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-09-14
“1st year 2nd grader , Mrs Bierman is a Great Teacher, Lots of projects that Parents have to be involved in. My Daughter loves it, Enviroment is Do youre best all the time , Grading is Tough, If youre Child is not a Self Starter they will get behind,”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-05-31
“Be wary about the 'hype' of this school. It is a great school for certain types of children. The children who do best here are ones that can work on an independent level and are self starters. There are home projects galore, some that even overlap. Unfortunately most parents complete these so that the work is not representative of what the child has learned. My experience is that parents tend to look at acceptance to this school as a 'feather in their cap' or as a symbol of status without first looking at what is best for their individual child. For some it is great, for others they are pulled along with the rest, but at what price? Fieldtrips and orchestra only go so far when you have students burned out at 10 years of age.”
This review was posted by a teacher.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-03-31
“What a great school! My daughter loves it and we are so happy to have her there! Mrs. Conway is amazing for 1st grade! I want to thank her for being so wonderful with every student! Our daughter has learned so much this year, it is amazing!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-06-20
“Best school! I love Balboa, it rocks! Ive been there for five years, and i left balboa in 2008. I'll really miss the teachers, parents, and everything.”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-06-17
“An amazing school! Balboa has high parent participation which allows students exposure to orchestra (in 3rd grade), drama, Young Author's Fair, computer lab, etc. We love Balboa!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-06-10
“This wonderful school is not just for those identified highly gifted. All the children perform at high levels simply because they are stimulated by teachers that can take the regular curriculumn and bring it to life. It is not overly academic. Instead it is one of the few schools that does give a well rounded and balanced education including hands-on learning, the arts and sports.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2007-09-01
“My son attended Balboa Magnet. It is the best elementary school any child could attend. The teachers are extremely nuturing and innovative in their teaching style. Children thrive in this environment. It was a great experience for my son.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-08-20
“Balboa Magnet can be a great environment for intellectual kids. Children enjoy learning because teachers hold themselves and their students to high standards. Teachers are warm and they enjoy their 'work' with children who are generally eager to learn. Many field trips, many opportunities including an orchestra and great teachers!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-06-27
“Excellent learning environment with top notch administration and parent involvement. Staff and parents make everyone welcome and go out of their way to strive for excellence in all categories. Joe Kozul”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-05-30
“Great school and wonderful teachers! Many incentives at Balboa that are not the norm at other LAUSD schools. There is parent participation but with cliques among the various organizations, that makes it intimidating to volunteer. I too, feel we should be united since we are all parents in the same school and want to reach the same goals.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2007-04-17
“So far, the teachers make this school for us, they are incredible and deserve much more recognition than they get from the top. Many more field trips and extra-curriculars than at other schools. Too bad the administration and office staff are so negative and reactionary to parents who want to volunteer and help... creates a disincentive to help out. Parent participation is very low, no wonder why! Too many cliques and walls between them (TAP, PTA, Spirit Club, etc.), we need a leader who can get everybody working together for the good of our school!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-03-16
“The school is great, the teachers are great.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2006-09-13
“We have two boys who attend Balboa and have been identified as gifted. They have both enjoyed their experiences at school. The Balboa Spirit Club provides funding for the PE Coach, the Computer Lab Instructor and many field trips. The teachers are all very highly credentialed, and mostly caring, except possibly a little too focused on API scores. We have had a little difficulty getting support for our oldest son, who is gifted and also has ADHD, resulting in some homework issues. We feel this is the best overall environment for our children, and have been happy to have the opportunity to attend such a wonderful school.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2006-09-10
“It's impossible to say all the superlatives I would associate with this school, but I want to add my sentiments that I too feel 'LUCKY' both of my children were able to attend Balboa. An incredible school.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2006-06-21
“Balboa magnet is known for its academic excellence and I do agree with that whole heartily. If you mostly care about a child's academic endeavors go head Balboa magnet is the best, but, I care more about his character development and learning in a more nurturing environment than academic excellence.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2006-06-01
“Great schoool for middle of the road kids, not the best for kids with additional needs. Of my son's four years, his 2nd grade teacher was best. Many opportunities for orchestra and other electives. Much better than the GATE alternatives, this entire school is gifted high ability”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2006-05-10
“An excellent public elementary school. Mostly terrific teachers, great parental involvement, healthy social environment. No gangs, no drugs, no kids trying to be way more grown up than they are. And no tuition. My kids (now in 4th and 5th) have had a very positive experience here. I would recommend it highly.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2006-02-15
“Excellenct quality of academics, availability of music, art, field trips and other extracurriculr activities; high level of parental involvement”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2006-01-24
“My two daughters have loved Balboa! The teachers creatively teach a highly rigorous curriculum that really engages the students. The school spirit is tremendous and afterschool programs include everything from Karate to Claymation!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2006-01-03
“We have been very lucky to attend Balboa all 5 years. The school is exceptional as well as the teachers, principal, staff and parent involvement. Our child was given the best education. Our child has done nothing but excel in this wonderful learning environment.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-10-28
“Everything a private school has to offer...but it's free! The most incredibly talented and caring teachers; the hardest-working administration; a beautiful and clean campus; and every type of enrichment you could imagine. This place is a joy to be at every day. My son is so enthusiastic about school and we could not be more pleased.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2005-08-29
“My son has attended Balboa since 2nd grade. The school truly offers an enriched curriculum. As with any school, some teachers are better than others. My son had fabulous teachers for 2nd grade and 4th grade.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-08-17
“This is a great school with highly involved parents. My daughter could not have had a better 3rd grade teacher than Mrs. Felix. She was very nurturing and my daughter grew so much. For example, even though my daughter had a speech impediment, Mrs. Felix cast her in a large role for a play which did so much for my daughter's confidence. Although this was in 2003/2004 she will forever have a special place in not only my daugter's heart but in both my husband and myself.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-08-03
“Excellent school- my daughter is lucky to attend.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-06-21
“Excellent. By far the best school I have ever attended. Excellent teachers and staff who are willing to not only recognize differant types of learning but also implement differant ways of teaching.”
This review was posted by a former student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-05-02
“Excellent school, caring teachers, enhanced program AAA++++”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2004-11-17
“I cannot say enough good things about this school. Currently, I have 2 children at Balboa. A majority of Balboa's student body is truly gifted intellectually. They raise the bar very high when it comes to academics. The projects alone are similar to 2-3 grades higher than a regular non gifted school. The teachers on the whole (I have to admit that 1 or 2 are annoying, and way too demanding) have only the children in mind, and truly care about them. The field trips are great, the extra curricular activities could be improved, the level of teaching is outstanding. I would have to say that the principal is kind of meek, and should be able to stand up for her school more. But overall, there is no better school in town.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2004-08-17
“Over the course of 10 years, Balboa Magnet has provided my two sons with a strong academic foundation for future success. The program also provided opportunities for them to grow in music, art, computer literacy, and physical education.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2004-06-22
“We have been at Balboa for 5 years and it has been an excellent eduational expreience. The teachers are excellent, mixing classroom learning with fieldtrips and other outside experiences. The school also has a standout administrative support staff. The PTA is very strong with fundraisers and sponsors a number of extra events like Math Night, Sports Night, the Book Fair and other activities for the kids.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2004-04-28
“Balboa Magnet is what every school should be - nurturing, experimental and inovative. I have 2 children that have gone though the program and have valuabale life lessons to take away. Each teacher has his or her strong points and they teach to them. The enviroment is safe and exciting. From the California Eco-Garden to the Wonders of Learning library, all facets of the educational experience is addressed and expanded upon. I highly recommend this elementary school if you are able to achieve enrollment through the magnet process.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2003-06-19
“I have two students currently at the school. I can say without reservation that Balboa Magnet is a jewel in the LAUSD. It is an incredibly nurturing, educationally stimulating environment. The teaching staff is superb, the parent support is of the highest and the learning that goes on in that school is number one! There are specialists in all fields, afterschool enrichment programs and special school-wide activities, such as a Young Author's Day, Pioneer Day, etc. Any student luckily enough to make it in their through the magnet point system has been given a gift. I cannot speak highly enough of this school.”
This review was posted by a .
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2003-05-19
“Balboa is a great school that really embraces each individual kid. The parents are very active and have a good partnership with the site leadership. They have a terrific afterschool program called the base program. It doesn't quite go late enough for working parents, but kids can stay safely on the afterschool playground until they get picked up.”
This review was posted by a .




     




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