Marshall Fundamental Secondary School in Burbank, California

“At first i was quite nervous about coming to Marshall. With the thought of a new school in my head freaked me out! But now that i tihnk about it, it's not just a school , but it's more like a second home. Here i have met some of the most amazing people ever. Also some of the best teachers ever. I was in choir last year, and i loved every second of it. I am now a Freshman with APP/Honor classes and am in a club which i enjoy. I can't wait to see more new memories being added to the collection!”
This review was posted by a student.

“Marshall encourages academic excellence for all of its students. I am proud to be a part of its fine staff!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a retired teacher from Marshall who maintains substantial contact with the school in both paid and volunteer capacities. The strong academic/AP program, the high degree of parent involvement, and the very active music program all stand out. Underlying all these is the strong leadership (administrators) which took charge about five years ago. What a pleasure it has been to witness a school which has been transformed for the better during the past five years. I would be remiss not to mention the impressively large number of simply wonderful young people who are our students; their high caliber makes the rest possible.”
This review was posted by a other.

“wow! I have a 12th, 10th and 8th grader and one who graduateded in 2006 , as is now attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point New York , Marshall has definaetly been a very big part of our lives for the past 8 years and even to find the right words to express my love and appreciation for the awesome teachers ,and staff and parents that volunteer and not to mention the great students we have from all diverse backgrounds, Marshall has great Teachers that work very hards to help all students acheive their highest goals ,dreams and potiential to get them ready for the real world ,not only acedemecly but socialy as well , my sons and daughter have all been a part of Marshalls AP programs and honor classes , and clubs and even what they Love the most,Sports!Thank You Marshall & God Bless You.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“i went to marshall since 6th grade and i am now an 8th grader attending at a different school because we moved but i honestly would do anything to return to that school. i had very good teachers an got along with all of them. they made me fell comfortable in discussing stuff. i had many very good friends. i love Marshall =]]”
This review was posted by a student.

“My daughter entered the 6th grade at Marshall this year and I can proudly say that she is loving it. She is constantly challenged, and many assignments involve working as a team with other students. I am thrilled at the enthusiasm my daughter has to go to school each day. We did begin in a local private school, but early on found Pasadena schools have far more to offer. We look forward to a great education for many years to come.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son is in the 9th grade and has come from private school to Marshal. We could no longer afford private school due to finances. I was concerned when he first started that he would not be challenged enough. To the contrary, he has excellent classes and teachers in the honors program and appears to be blending in successfully with the other students. He has already made new friends. I couldn't be happier with the way things have turned out.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Although I would rather have given the school 3 and 1/2 stars, I believe that this school has qualities not acquirable by most well-off schools in the higher-grade districts. The relationship between students with each other and with teachers is likely to be found no where. Students are encouraged to be themselves and find their own talents/strengths, unlike many vigorous schools that focus too much on the letter grade and what's on paper rather than on the individual child/student. The reason, however, that it is not, in my opinion, 4 or 5 stars is that some (1/4 of the) teachers simply don't do their job correctly. There is not enough vigor and competitiveness in the classrooms because teachers will often give out easy A's and not push the students to actually learn the subject. There are, of course, many exceptions--some of the teachers are simply brilliant.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I currently have 2 students at Marshall and have been very pleased with the academic rigor to which they are exposed. They are challenged in their AP and honors classes and have had wonderful experiences in band and on various sports teams. Any student who attends Marshall has the opportunity to excel and flourish academically. Those who are the most successful have parents and/or guardians who view their child's education as a partnership so they are active and stay in communication with the staff as well as keep abreast of school happenings. For those who are wondering...I've not once been worried for the safety of my children and I'll happily send my youngest there in another year.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I been attending marshall since 6th grage i am now a senior for class of 2008. Marhsall is one of the best school ever .Stdent ther have a very safe enviroment and the school staff is the most friendlies.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I'm a 2007 graduate of Marshall. I am now in my plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy. Marshall has definitly help me learn how to interact with different cultures and has prepared me for the diverse ethnicity in the military.”
This review was posted by a other.

“My daughter has attended Marshall since 6th grade and came there with 85% of her graduating class from Dom Benito Elementary. They opened a couple new honor classes for them and she continues to be with many of her peers from Kindergarten. We are very happy at Marshall and much more so than with PHS that my other daughter attended. Marshall is well run with top-notch leadership. My daughter is now in the AP program and we are extremely impressed with all her teachers. She is part of the art club and going on a trip to Europe with her art teacher. Great art, music, and theatre programs at Marshall also! I would definitely reccommend it.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Yes, I do agree with the parent reviews for Marshall Fundamental School. My daughter have attended since 8th grade, September 2005. I do agree with 1 of the parent review about students standing on the corner near the store, dropping & picking up is ridiculous, traffic congestion, staff turnover, better traffic supervision near the school, dress code, etc. This fall, my daughter willn't be returning back to Marshall, she will be attending another high school in the district.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is our third year at Marshall's Middle School. The quality of the academic programs continues to be top-notch. We have found that even at the middle school level, Marshall offers many extracurricular activities including band, choir, orchestra, sports, art, Spanish & French, computer, and drama. The music program this year is stronger than ever! In addition to the various electives that Marshall offers its students, there are also several clubs such as drama, film, art, chess, science, etc. that they can join. The current level of parent involvement has grown ten-fold since our first year at Marshall. This year the PTA has enlisted a Volunteer Coordinator that communicates areas in need of assistance and coordinates with the parents to fulfill those needs. In summary, we love Marshall! We look forward to continuing on this Fall in the High School program.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“pretty big,good teachers,as far as i've seen not too bad.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“I was quite nervous about my 7th grader starting at Marshall, primarily due to the combination of high school students, racial issues, dress code (or lack there of) and the lack of 'community' that one fosters at an elementary school. I, however, would like to see six areas addressed: 1)a definite dress code ENFORCED(possibly uniforms); 2)better management of the students hanging out on the corner of that store; 3) better supervision on the street corners, especially w/ regard to crossing in traffic. Students will walk against the light, some very slowly w/o regard to cars; 4)better drop-off/pick-up of students. Some parents will hold up the entire line of traffic to drop off a child. 5) the number of times that 'substitute' teachers are in the classroom is somewhat disconcerting; and 6)the inability of teachers to control the student(s) who are disruptive and thus punish the entire class.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I'd like to clarify or refute a couple of assertions made in the previous post (March 2004). ~Grade inflation at Marshall is no worse and no better than at any other school I know of. Our best Algebra I students (7th grade) are not permitted to take the CST Algebra I test. ~Assertions about the Advanced Placement program are incorrect. Although there was a brief drop in 2002 and 2003 in the number of students and exams taken, student participation in the AP program has increased every year since 1996. The passing rate has not changed significantly since 2001, and this year's participation is at school record levels: 304 students taking 588 exams. ~Teacher turnover at Marshall is a problem. We do need more stability. ~For record, I am a teacher at Marshall and I will be a parent (as of Sept. 2005). The previous poster is former short-term teacher at Marshall.”
This review was posted by a teacher.