P.S. #1 Elementary School in Burbank, California

“My child is a graduate and went onto one of top private secondary schools in LA (Harvard-Westlake), 99% of graduating class got into their first choice and most received acceptance from a few schools! PS#1 gives its students what they need to matriculate and succeed in any secondary school while not burning them out with a bunch of boring rote memorization and busy work. Many schools talk the talk of diversity and creativity, few implement it, PS#1 does. Evident in its staff, student body and teaching methods. My child still loves school and learning while consistently receiving A's! PS#1 is a sweet and gentle place that allows children to be children, perfect for any family that does not want their child a carbon copy of the next behind a desk all day like a tight wound package!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We are entering our second year after transferring from public school. Very happy with the teachers, programs, facilities and individual teaching. Teachers really know their students academic ability as well as social, emotional levels. All 3 are addressed during a childs education. Parents are very involved and feels like a community. We are thrilled to be at PS#1!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is great if you are looking for a school that emphasizes on each individual kid's potentials and talents rather than working on test scores. They teach the kids how to enjoy learning. Kids learn to be leaders and at the same time respect all the member of their community and care about them. Teachers are great and friendly and the principal is the best. My son has been in the school for three years. He always feels like being at home and enjoys every single moments of the school. I have a hard time in the afternoons to take him home. Parents are very involved in running the school which is one the things I love about the school. If you live in Santa Monica or west LA, you don't want to loose the chance to be part of this great academic family!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Don't believe the hype - the school is good but not great. It's the first year for my child and he does love it - but more because of its summer camp like feeling than anything else. There are a group of parents who practically run the school and the environment feels very exclusionary. It's not an open school and there is no discipline or consequences for things like bullying. The principal is great, some of the staff very personable, but the teachers have not impressed me at all. They keep you at arms-length and keep communication limited to emails! Not sure how long we will continue here.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have 1 child still attending and 1 that recently graduated. The school has many fantastic teachers and creative special assignments; the school community is warm and down to earth; parents are creative and highly involved. Science and math instruction are less strong than social sciences and language arts. Art, music, and foreign language are not priorities. Not strong on curbing disruptive students. Your child will definitely graduate as an accomplished public speaker- every class performs in front of the student body, multiple times each year.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a small elementary school that has traditionally had a lot of parental involvement, although the trend seems to be less so. The pupils are generally in two-grade classes of about 26 students, with two full-time teachers. This gives the school a lot of flexibility in how they treat each student.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Nurturing staff, horrible music program. If you want a small, intimate school and are not particulary academically oriented, check it out.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a great school. It's like the Magic Kingdom of learning. The academic program is excellent. Last year every graduating student got their first choice for middle school. The school is cutting edge when it comes to how children learn. At PS#1 my daughter has had a chance to master academics, as well as develop confidence and self-esteem. I have not had one day that I regretted her being there. To the contrary, I walk off campus every day grateful that we've had the opportunity to be included in this happy, thriving community. Students are taught to embrace learning, not fear it. The small size allows for individual attention.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have 3 very different children who attend ps#1. All are thriving socially and academically. One is graduating this year and going to a very prestigious traditional school. This could not have happened if he was not academically very prepared. He is also exremely competent and confident. I have always been impressed with the teachers that work at PS# 1. I also am especially impressed with the math progam and the recent specialists that have been hired. I do not think that a year has gone by that the school has not amazed me. I am looking forward to another 6 years at ps #1 with my other children”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child has thrived academically at PS#1! I volunteer weekly in the library and have observed many different age groups. Their writing skills are impressive and the thought process pretty amazing given thier ages. Most children seem respectful and my own dealings with the administration make it hard for me to believe serious discipline problems aren't delt with effectively.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Every one seems really kind and energetic.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My children developed a great love of learning at P S # 1! It was a great place for them to spend the first 7 years of their educational experience.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I agree with the other evaluator. My child attended this school from K-6 her K-1 experience was excellent. After that, she obtained very few academic skills. Even though the school claims to focus on socialization, they fail to discipline even the most poorly behaved children.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child attended PS#1 for two years. The primary year class is the best possible experience for any child to have. However, beyond this level, it was our family's experience that the skills our child originally entered PS #1 with somehow discipated after 1st grade. This school's primary focus is socialization, not academia.”
This review was posted by a parent.