Hollywood Schoolhouse in Burbank, California

“the staff and families are amazing!!!! love it”
This review was posted by a other.

“The Hollywood Schoolhouse has been a wonderful community for my children and my family. I say community because there is more than just academic teaching going on. Children learn how to care for each other and the world around them. To me and my family that is as important as learning the abc's. From Preschool on up, I see happy children and happy staff which speaks volumes. In regards to staff, they are the most dedicated, committed, qualified and creative educators I would rank them among the best in the city. I did the tours, I have friends at other schools and I feel blessed to have my children being taught in an environment that truly respects children. As for volunteering, they don't demand, they ask. It's fun hanging out with the other families, they are great!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I found this school to be a major disappointment. Very expensive without anything to show for the expense. They constantly ask you to volunteer, contribute and donate, yet they are not appreciative of all the effort given. The school begins to feel oppressive and uncomfortable after one or two years, or if you have any issues with anything pertaining to HSH. I do not recommend this school to anyone.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I would first like to address some comments that have been made on this site. First, it is so unfortunate that this site, which is meant to be a tool, is being used for a negative venting forum for some. With the few staff that do have children here, we are very fortunate to have a small decrease in our child's tuition. It is a wonderful feeling to know that not only HSH takes care of their families; they take care of their staff as well. In a few years my child will be ready for school. I have an opportunity to enroll her into several other really good programs. With that said, the importance for her to develop a love of learning and establishing a strong self image, HSH is the only school that will give that to her. I also know first hand the dedication and qualification of the teachers I work with. Many have been here for years with his or her credentials and most with Masters. Again, I can t say enough great things about this school as a teacher and future parent.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“I'm sorry but the recent posts about this school are hard to believe. This school was, in my opinion, a place where not much learning took place. I do not believe the staff were very qualified, and many 'instructors' are there because their own children attend, whereby tuitiion is reduced or waived for them. The school environment is right out of the fable the Emperor has no clothes. There is no auditorium, no grass, no space really for children to move freely and not run each other over. As a result more than half the time spent by parents and faculty is on fundraising. It's relentless, and exhausting, and does nothing for your child. If they went back to simply focusing on pre k through Kintergarten, I'd say great, no harm, no foul. But the truth is they have bitten off way more than they can chew.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I couldn't have chosen a more magical place for my children.The staff is amazing and creative. They have inspired and instilled a love of learning within my children.HSH has a well balanced curriculum that truly follows its mission statement.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have been a teacher at the Hollywood Schoolhouse for 18 years. I find it quite funny that some parents feel the teachers are droppping like wild flies. I can assure anyone who reads this that 95 % of the teachers who are here have been here between 10 to 18 years. Why so long? Because we love this school and are passionate about what it believes in. Not only do we have one of the top fine arts programs, we have a teaching staff that puts 110% into the curriculm he or she teaches. It shows with the amazing projects, assembilies, field trips to Sacramento and Washington DC, and strong test scores. As for the administration, they couldn't be more supportive and go out of their way to help families with needs. Our strong community is felt throughout the school. I would not want to work anywhere else!”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“I had the unique experience of working at this school. It became apparent early on that the parents ran the school. It also became clear that the emphasis was on creating a 'fun and funky' (actual quote) school that was more akin to a day care center. Academics were present but were not stressed. Big deal made about a sense of 'community,' but I never felt it. Lots of cliques amongst parents and teachers made it feel like high school. Finally left and am now happily ensconced in a real school where academics are emphasized and all are valued and appreciated. My vote? Stay away.”
This review was posted by a other.

“This is my 3rd year at the Hollywood Schoolhouse. My son is thriving. The teachers are amazing. Everthing my child is experiencing is what I was told when I intervied. Great community of families too.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I love the Schoolhouse because the administration and staff truly live their mission and because the children are not only getting an education about academics, but about love and compassion and the world. And more importantly, they do a great job of providing an environment that celebrates a student's strengths, but also focuses on improving their weaknesses, creating tremendous self-esteem.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is no good for educating kids in anything other than arts and crafts, and the arts there are mediocre at best. After 3 years of attending Hollywood Schoolhouse my daughter left with the 'learning diability' label. She was completely illiterate. Since, my daughter has been attending public school for almost a year and a half now and currently reading at grade level.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Our family is new at the Schoolhouse this year and we couldn't be happier. The Schoolhouse is a wonderful community of families and an amazingly supportive and nurturing environment for learning. The curriculum is challenging with a creative twist.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The best school in Hollywood. I have experience the pre-school, elementary and middle school and find each to fully live the wonderful mission that the school has. Right now, the school is expanding. I speak to parents of graduates and they tell me how prepared their children were for their high schools. The school is incredibly diverse in everyway and there is a great vibe that you experience when you enter the campus. I find it hard to believe the negative comments; theirs has not been my experience. My experience has always been positive and the head of school has brought the new to a new level.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child went to the Hollywood Schoolhouse from 1st-6th grade. A wonderful place where every child is valued for their uniqueness. Teachers stay forever which is a good sign. Administration is friendly and helpful. Lots of positive changes in the last few years. If you are looking for not just a school, but a community for your child, this is the place.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am sure that this web site provokes all the disgrunteled parents to deliver their tale of woe. I can only speak to my five years at the Hollywood Schoolhouse. The Schoolhouse is a profound dynamic and diverse community that truly lives its mission. It is the best kept secret in Los Angeles. My child has thrived in this stimulating nurturing community. She has been challenged academically while offerered an array of fine arts and performance experiences. I would give this school my highest recommendation for any parent who is looking for an independent school that is unpretentious, non-exclusive and full of rich creative learning experiences for children.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child an I couldn't be happier with the Hollywood Schoolhouse. Its teachers and administration have a connection with every child and family that fosters a love of learning.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter attended the JK program. We were very enthusiastic about the school based on what we had been told about the philosophy and methods of the staff and principals. We were soon very disappointed with what we experienced. Our experience was disheartening due to the emphasis of the school on pleasing parents at the expense of their primary patrons - the children who come to them everyday. This has to due with the politics involved with fundraising and gaining powerful supporters to help the school grow. J”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Administration focused only on appearances. Disorganized, understaffed, totally unresponsive to parental concerns. Most parents pull their kids out by 4th grade but now the administration is so focused on the middle school the lower grades have been all but forgotten. One administrator is particularly toxic, very punitive towards parents who dare to look elsewhere. Stay away!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My children attended preschool and elementary school there. Small, yes. Teachers know everyone, yes. But teachers have been dropping like flies, there are entirely too many kids for the tiny campus, and their afterschool programs are a joke. Additionally there is no policy for or emphasis on kindness, therefore the kids are allowed to be snarky, streetsmart, sassy and unkind. The administration is unwilling to actually listen to parents problems so we saw a lot of our classmates families that have been there for years get 'iced out' by the administration when they had issues. This school was once, apparently, magical - but they have lost their way. I would not recommend to anyone.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter attended the elementary and middle school and did well. But she was diagnosed with a learning disability and was quickly falling behind. The school did little but blame our family for her struggles. It became a toxic situation. To be fair, I've heard nothing but good things about the younger grades, and there are some very good teachers. But at times it seems that they rely on their reputation as a school that protects and serves the children of celebrities and forget they are there to serve all the children.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Very good preschool. Very nurturing and warm environment. I sent my kids there through first grade. They loved every minute of it. They knew all of the teachers and staff, and the teachers and staff knew my kids. That being said, while the preschool is a wonderful place, I think that the elementary school is lacking in several respects, and there are better schools out there. Send your preschoolers to this wonderful place. You can rest assured that they are in great hands.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My children have been at the Schoolhouse from Preschool through elementary, and I could not happier. Their academics are challenging, the arts, and sports programs have grown enormously, and the new Head of School is an incredible addition. Those people who replied having only been in the preschool have no idea what they're missing. The School is the best kept secret in LA. Also - beautiful, authentic diversity.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“great and nurturing environment for preschoolers, but not after that. Some teachers are great but some are not so good. The principal should manage the overall quality of the teachers.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Hollywood schoolhouse is a wonderful nurturing environment that has a wonderful staff and teachers. Our daughter loved every minute of her four years there and still talks about it today. The kids are great and the mentoring programs keeps them connected, caring and respectful of their schoolmates. The school has undergone many changes in the past two years and all for the better.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a school with a lot of love and a wonderful community environmnet. If you want your child's teacher to really know you and your child, it is a great place to be. Graduates are succsesful academically, and the arts programs are an integral part of the curriculum.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Wonderful pre-school environment. Warm, loving and joyful. Decided not to stay beyond pre-K. Having lived in L.A. for 35+ years, feel there are much better private schools out there.”
This review was posted by a parent.