Ribet Academy in Burbank, California

“My daughter just started her Ribet experience and she's very happy. They're constanly engaging the little ones to be curious and explore. The teachers are friendly and great with the kids. I catch my Kindergarten singing in French every now and then and she doesn't even realize that she's learning a different language. The building needs a little TLC but hopefully something can be done about that in the coming years. I only wish the parents were a little more friendly and not so snooty!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“As a parent at Ribet Academy with two children, I feel a sense of safety and security as I drop my kids off in the mornings. I can honestly say they are happy throughout the year consistantly. They have made long lasting friendships and have participated in so many activities like team sports, dance class, and field trips to see a Civil War inactment , along with Astro Camp and a Science Fair winner at the L.A. County Fair, that have developed real self confidence. The changes in this school only make it better and it is too bad some parents just hate change. The teachers are positive and dedicated and the classes are diverse in a wide range of academics, but each always had an element of fun!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have been a teacher at Ribet Academy for 12 years. The best part of this school are the children themselves. They are calm, eager to learn, and ask lots of questions. They are on time, which tells me a lot about the parents, and they always do their homework. They are extremely respectful to me and to each other. I have witnessed many of my students as they mature into high school students who have a real desire to go on to college. My fellow teachers are always smiling, so I know they feel the same about the unique environment we have at Ribet. I recommend this school whole-heartedly.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“Ribet Academy is one stop shopping. We started our sons in Kindergarden and now they are in High School. I have seem their confindence in Math and Writing change dramatically in the last three years. They have finally, fallen in love with reading and have a variety of interests in Science and Literature. They have both made quality friends at this school and so have I. Some parents have had a hard time with some changes the school has made, but every successful corporation makes changes, so why should Ribet be any different. I feel very blessed to be a parent at theis school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a parent of a child in elementary school that has been going to Ribet for 3 years. In that time, I have seen the quality of the school decline drastically. Teachers do not communicate with parents effectiveley as you would think would be the case in a private school where the tuition is not cheap. The school has become more obsessed with the almighty dollar, than the students education in my opinion. The new owner Mr. Dauzat, has no idea what he is doing, or how to run a school properly. The school is run down badly. Suffice it to say, I am very disappointed in the Administration at this school and would not recommend it. There are better schools for the money in my opinion.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Let me give you a student's perspective. I've been attending Ribet for over a decade and I can honestly say this school gives its students an advantage because there is no limit to how much your child can learn or experience here. Sure, Ribet has definitely gone downhill in the last few years but I'm positive that the school's new management will return it to its former glory. Lastly, those of you who complain that the school has limited resources, I can assure you that you have not taken the full advantage (here, I purposefully use the same word again) this school offers. I myself have taken over 10 APs, maintained a 4.4 cumulative GPA, participated in two varsity sports, committed to the top public university in the country, and procured lasting relationships with my friends and teachers that I will take on for the rest of my life.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Following up on a previous post, Ribet Academy is college prep and that is exactly what it does- prepare your child for college. If your child is an achiever, Ribet will give him/her all they need to succeed. Given a second chance, I would not have sent my daughter anywhere else. It is because of Ribet, and Mr. Dailey and Mr. Miller in particular, that she is now enrolled in the top university in California and the country (and doing very well). Thank you Ribet!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have to disagree with the previous post. Ribet works very hard to continue their programs to keep underprivileged kids in this school. The new headmaster is a good person. The non-profit base for the school, REF, is also working on scholarship programs. The school has a problem with (some) parents that want to give nothing in return for their child's education. Not money, no volunteering, nothing. And some of these kids are not even doing well in school. Education costs money even if you are in a public school. We pay for public school out of our income taxes and property taxes. And that is the biggest waste of dollar I can think of. Ribet has a program for underprivileged kids. You can volunteer services, you can host an exchange student, etc. You also must have good grades. So I have to disagree. Parental involvement should also be a requirement.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Ribet is an excellent school. There are some people that will criticize the school that do not step up to the plate to be involved with improving things they are not happy with. The new owner is very receptive to implementing changes requested by parents. As a whole, Ribet offers a well adjusted whole-child curriculum. My children are happy, love their school and are doing far more than they would in public school. That is all the reassurance I need. Can't wait for the British Invasion music program this year!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school used to be an excellent school. The founder of the school intended this school to be a place where children could get the best education REGARDLESS of socioeconomic background. The school and current administration have completely lost sight of this - now it is all about the power of the almighty dollar. And dollar for dollar, the high cost of tuition is not worth the education your child will receive. A real disappointment....and a disservice to Jacques Ribet's original dream.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I work at Ribet and I also have children that attend Ribet, As a whole Ribet is an excellent school. No school is perfect, you can pick apart every school, need more AP courses, more athletic programs, this or that. but this is a college prep school, and it does what it says it will do...It prepares you for college!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Ive worked at Ribet Academy for 28 years...at this point I'm the veteran of the place. I've read all of the posted reviews and feel that each is valid. Education is personal, and each individual's opinion of the experience is informed by a unique frame of reference. Ribet has a history of consistent improvement motivated by a desire to compete with older, more established schools (those which typically have endowments and/or funding apart from tuition)in order to provide the students an increasingly excellent program. Those who might not have been here for a year or two might find that changes they thought would improve the school have been implemented since then! Our seniors' acceptances into universities has been 100% in the past couple of years, and we're happy with the accomplishments that we've achieved. New owners seem commited to original Ribet philosophy. Nec pluribus impar - we shall never be stopped!”
This review was posted by a administrator.

“I have been a Teacher at Ribet for almost 10 years. I love teaching at Ribet for 1 main reason, the Students. The Students are nice, respectful and interested in learning. We have many excellent Programs such as Science, Art and Debate which have achieved exceptional success at the County, State and National levels. Our seniors have been accepted to universities such as Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, UPenn, Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, Pomona College, USC, Syracuse, Purdue and that was just the last two years. Every school has things that need work and Ribet is no different. Whether Ribet has a pay scale or not, results are achieved. I am confident that after a student has passed through my classes they have been exposed to the material in a way that has well prepared them for college.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“I have had a very disapointing experience as a faculty member at Ribet Academy. Though Ribet promises class sizes of under 25 students, I had several classes of over 30 students, making it very difficult to provide students with the individual attention that parents are promised. Additionally, most teachers here have more than four classes to prep for daily which makes it necessary to make sacrifices in teaching and curriculum on a daily basis. Students are thought of and refered to as 'customers' by the administration, and though I do believe that everyone on the faculty and admin genuinly cares about the students, the mindset of the administration is mostly on making and saving money. Teacher turnover rate is shockingly high because teachers are paid at the poverty line, there is not a pay scale, they are not given benefits, and are given very little support and guidance from the administration.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“We left Ribet to send our child to a local public school and found this to be a mistake. In comparison to other private schools, Ribet's tuition is much more affordable for a similar curriculum. The principal and staff are very friendly and helpful. The Kindergarten teacher is one of the best one could come by. Children go on several educational field trips and the curriculum is balanced with art, music, PE and spanish starting in PreK. These subjects are not offered in public school. I have found myself running around all over town supplementing all of this when my child could have stayed at Ribet and experienced these subjects with his classmates. As someone said previously, there is some teacher turnover, but there are many that have been there for a long time as well. Mr. Daly has been there for quite a while and is EXCELLENT.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Ribet Academy does not have their administration in place. They always seem to be trying to do the right and impressive thing but fall short. I wish they had been more selective in their student admissions. It seems like everyone who wants to pay for it can get in. I'm not sure that the academics are much better than a public school. Teachers change all the time only a few have been there for a long period of time.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am impressed with the good energy I feel at Ribet as well as the diverse student population which reflects real life in Los Angeles.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I enjoyed going to school here.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“My child has been attending this school for two years now. The teachers have worked one-on-one to help my child be her best.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The debate program was very good. Class size was good. Web site to keep parents informed was excellent. School assignments due and past assignments with grades was available on the web.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The tuition is quite high. The extracurricular activitites (sports and performing arts, especially the band) is lacking. The building is old and in need of a remodel. There a a handful of very qualified teachers but the majority is very average.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Ribet Academy provided a temporary haven from the bureaucracy of public high school. Ribet has a very strong history and science dept but is very weak in the English Dept, unless if they will have improved miraculously in the next few years.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“I have been working as an independent counselor for many students at Ribet Academy for about 6 years. I am so pleased with the school's administration and staff. The administrators are so willing to work with and for each student that I have represented and the teachers really care about their students. I am planning to send my daughter to Ribet in the Fall.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I went to this school from preschool-12th. The academics for elementary age children are wonderful. It is not a school I would recommend, however for Jr.High-High School. You don't get the quality you would expect for what you're paying.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“very limited resources considering the tuition costs.”
This review was posted by a parent.