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Castle Heights Elementary School
(310) 839-4528
9755 Cattaraugus Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Level: K-5
District: Los Angeles Unified School District

Extended Information

In-depth school information including test scores, student stats, parent ratings and reviews for Castle Heights Elementary School, Los Angeles, CA.

Census Info	Value	Year
White, non-Hispanic:	37.99%	(2009)
Black, non-Hispanic:	15.41%	(2009)
Hispanic:	34.41%	(2009)
Asian:	7.53%	(2009)
Pacific Islander:	0.54%	(2009)
Native American or Native Alaskan:	0%	(2009)
Unspecified:	1.97%	(2009)
Filipino:	2.15%	(2009)
Percent Free and Reduced Price Lunch:	37.36%	(2008)

Castle Heights Elementary School Ratings Summary

Average Quality Rating	4
Average Principals Rating	4
Average Teachers Rating	4
Average Activities Rating	4
Average Parents Rating	4
Average Safety Rating	4

Castle Heights Elementary School Reviews


Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2009-09-02 “I have been a parent at the school for over 4 years and I have nothing but great things to say about the school - the principal is great and (with limited execptions) the teachers are phenomenal.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2009-06-12 “Castle Heights is an amazing school! We were so lucky to be able to transfer in and have our daughter complete kindergarten there. The teaching staff is fantastic. Mrs. Yamaguchi in particular, is an especially gifted teacher. The parents are involved and committed to the school's success. The student body is really diverse and the kids are all nice! The campus grounds are adorable, the fund raising for all the extras is extraordinary - what more can I say? This truly is a gem of a school.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2009-05-22 “This school Rocks! My son loves going to school everyday. Come take one of our many tours during the school year. Our API keeps rising each year. Find out what you might be missing at our neighborhood gem of a school” Posted By: parent Quality Score: decline 2009-05-21 “I love this school,We are so happy for my daugther to be here!!!!She gonna stay for more many years!!!!!” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2009-05-14 “We have been thrilled with Castle Heights in the four years my children have been there. The teachers and principal care so much about building a community and they exemplify the desire to leave no child behind. The afterschool program is a gem, the computer lab is a real treat, and my kids can't wait to get to science next year! We're very excited they finally found a second science teacher to extend that program to 2nd and 3rd graders. I would highly recommend Castle Heights to everyone!” Posted By: other Quality Score: 5 2009-04-22 “My niece is a 3rd grade, a student there since K. Best thing about the school is very strong parent support goup. 'Friends' raised $100k in direct contributions this year, probably grossed another $200k through various fundraisers. They use $ to hire lots in-class teachers aids, and other extra staff (libarian, tutors, PE coach, etc.) They also helped create an entire computer lab, Art Alley, and more. Principal is very no-nonsense, and top notch. Has monthly 'Coffee talks' with parents. Test scores are usually 8 1/2 out of 10, while maintaining substantial racial diversity. School did lose funding due to not enough low income. Recommend take school tour to get firsthand look. Good luck transfering in, probably won't happen.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2009-03-25 “I currently have two children attending this wonderful school. It has a very active parent group that takes care to make sure the teachers and principal have what they need to give our children an amazing elementary school experience. The teachers and principal are also very active with the parent group attending all the events the parents organize, even fundraisers. This is a jewel of a school in the heart of one of the outstanding neighborhoods in Los Angeles.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2009-03-22 “We LOVE CAstle Heights! Wonderful families, strong, active parent body, dedicated, caring, capable teachers, wonderful principal. A very strong community based school, which compliments a strong academic experience with lots of extras in art, sports, science, computer learning, etc. Our multinational, multiethnic student body contributes to a rich learning environment for everyone.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2008-12-15 “We love Castle Heights. I can t think of a better environment for my children. There is diversity, a rich learning environment and strong community. Teachers are excellent and genuinely care about the students. Teachers participate in PTA and Booster Club. We heard that LAUSD teaches to the lowest common denominator, this is definitely not true at Castle Heights. What surprised us most was the level of commitment from parents. It s truly a community school. Parents who have time to devote, work to make the school better for every single child. The Booster club pays for many of the extras that LAUSD does not provide so that children have a well rounded educational experience. Phy ed, computer instruction, art, music, are part of the curriculum. It s a fantastic school. I think I ve made as many friends as my children have!” Posted By: parent Quality Score: decline 2008-11-05 “I have sons in 4th grade and kindergarten at Castle Heights, and I am very happy with the school. We've had very caring teachers who also set high academic standards. There is a lot of involvement from the community, with Fall Festival, Book Fair/Spaghetti Dinner, Pancake Breakfast/Spring Cleanup, etc. I really have to disagree with the comments posted 9-18-08 about STAR -- my sons have done both the STAR summer camp and after school program, and all the staff (Tanya, Jay, Ana, etc.) have been just great.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2008-09-09 “I could not imagine a better school--our daughter's teachers have been incredible, and she is in a diverse environment with children from all walks of life. The campus is much bigger than the typical elementary school, and you see the entire neighborhood at pick up and drop off. If you get involved with the school even slightly, it will really pay off for your child. The administration does a great job of matching up kids with teachers that will motivate them. It is hard to believe that this is a public school in LAUSD no less. We could send our children to private, but I have no doubt Castle Heights is a more enriching experience.” Posted By: other Quality Score: 5 2008-06-19 “All teachers at Castle heights are great. This business of choosing the 'best' teacher is nonsense! It causes nothing but grief for the principal and the staff. Let the administration decide who is best for your child. Castle Heights is a great school and I would recommend anyone place their child there.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2008-06-11 “Both of my children are thriving at Castle Heights Elementary. My son who is in 3rd grade, going to 4th next year and my daughter will be in 1st grade next year have both exceeded the standards for their grade level. This is due to the teachers they have had these past few years. Most of the teachers at Castle Heights are really great! There are still some that are LAUSD senority teachers and should really retire and let some new teachers come in and bring the CH standards up even higher than they already are...which would be a great gift for the students. If your child gets the right teacher each year at the school thier experience of elementary school will be wonderful. Ask around, be curious and stay on top of what's going on in the classroom and on campus and search out the 'best' teacher for your child.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: decline 2008-05-28 “We were planning on sending our daughter to a private school but since she is a September baby we were told to hold her a year. Our plan was to send her to Castle Heights for kindergarten and then move her to private. Well that was five years ago. Next year she will be in 4th grade and her little sister will be starting in Kindergarten...and the littlest sister will be starting the AWESOME pre-k program. We love Castle Heights and feel so fortunate to have such a jewel right here in our own neighborhood.” Posted By: student Quality Score: 5 2008-05-16 “I right now go to castle height and is about to graduate in June of 2008. If you were smart you would put your child in castle heights elementary school If you want your kid to be in a school that is above almost all the other elementary school. just make the right choice” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2008-03-31 “Just wanted to point out that the school now has a GATE program which my son is in and it's been great. I noticed that in previous reviews there had been no GATE program.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2007-09-09 “The special ed resources at CH are good. Teachers like Mr. Meeks and administrators like Cindy Miller do step up to the plate for special ed kids. Parent involvement is a good thing, yet power struggles within parent involvement and their economic undercurrents are obvious. Parents w/out the leisure time for parent activities/involvement should be reached out to via phone calls/emails by the active parents. Also, STAR program is raved about, yet many CH families cannot afford STAR, a so-called 'non profit' which offers very few if any scholarships or low income spaces. There lies the stark division of kids in unstructured Youth Services (which do a good job w/what they have btw) and the formal extra curricular after school courses of STAR. CH needs to work w/STAR re free/low cost classes. The office staff like at many LAUSD schools often, (not always) speak to parents as if kids.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 3 2007-06-15 “My child spent his entire elementary school years at Castle Heights. The best part of the school is the after school care. Jay, Tanya, and STAR team are fantastic. I found my child learned more after school than in the actual classroom. As for parent involvement, there are many areas in which parent volunteerism is needed. However, the parent politics / power struggles between their PTA and their booster club FRIENDS can be annoying. They do not have a GATE program, so the gifted children suffer. We stayed around for fantastic teachers such as Ms. Yoon, Ms. Yamaguchi, Ms. Levy, Mr. Rains, Ms. Lessman and best fifth grade teacher Ms. Flannagan.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2007-04-19 “Castle Heights has a lot of parent support through its PTA and 'Friends' program and generous financial donations compared to many other LAUSD elementary schools. (Sometimes too much neighborhood parent power/politics). It is pretty clean and safe for children and I have felt very secure in my child's safety during our time at Castle Heights. However, academically, the GATE program is essentially non-existent so accelerated learners really suffer. With 30+ kids with varying learning capabilities per class in the upper grades, teachers are forced to juggle and improvise how to keep the GATE kids challenged and how to give more time and attention to the children that struggle academically. Not enough support for the arts, music or cultural sensitivity even w/all the diversity on campus (holidays, etc). STAR program is amazing (Jay & Tanya). After school yard teacher is wonderful & very caring (Sheryl).” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2007-03-23 “Castle Heights is such a great school. Starting from the teachers. They are compasionate towards our childrens needs. The 'STAR PROGRAM' at this school is exceptional Jay & Tanya and there staff are top noch they participate in all there after school curriculum. They involve thems with our childrens homework,project and best of all playtime. Take a few minuetes and check them out. You will be glad you did. From: A Happy Mommy” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2007-03-19 “My 7-year old daughter began the 2nd grade last fall. We were relocating from New York City and were told that Castle Heights was an up and coming school. We moved to the Beverlywood area for that reason. My daughter loves the school, and has thrived. She loves her teacher, and especially the STAR program. It is excellent, and makes a big difference in the total school experience.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2006-09-19 “This is my childs first year @ castleheights and so far I love the strict ground rules of locking the gates, I only enrolled my child in private schools in the past because of safety, but this is a great public neighborhood school. I do believe the teacher should be a little more friendly and not bring policies up to parents in front of other parents and children as if the parent was a child, this maybe an isolated thing with this teacher, overall this is a wonderful school” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2006-08-31 “I think the Ideology of parents and school officials working together is one of this school's greatest assets. However, in order to maximize this dynamic the territorialism of some teacher's and paid staff must be remedied.A more customer friendly attitude is neccesary. And the longterm staff members need to be mindful these are our when we require an answer. A father, Thanks !” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 3 2006-08-24 “This school has grown and improved since my two nephews first started at this school. The teachers are fantastic on a whole. It's nice to see that more people who live in the area are now starting to go to this school.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2006-05-24 “Both my children have gone to Castle Heights Elementary since they were 5 years old. Castle Heights is a wonderful school. They provide many different programs for all the children. There is great parent involvement. Each child is encouraged to do their personal best without being labeled as the smart or dumb kids. The teachers are highly skilled and work hard to bring out the best in each child. The principal attends all school functions, even the evening ones, and the ones which are not mandated. The school raises more money than it needs but it is used for classroom/school improvement as opposed to being spent carelessly. I am very sad that I must move out of this district. My children and I will miss this school very much '” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2006-05-20 “It was the parents that impressed me most about the school five years ago when my son was just ready to start kindergarten. My son is now finishing fourth grade at Castle Heights. Any school who has as many devoted and committed parents, has to be a great school, I thought. It was true.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 3 2006-04-25 “The school is okay for general education, but if your child has special needs this is definitely not the place to be for you.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2006-02-10 “My child has attended Castle Heights School for two years and she is thriving. Our principal is kind, reasonable, and helpful. Our student body is socio-economically and culturally diverse. We have an active Latino community. We are an 'Arts Prototype' School, meaning we reapply for an art grant every year to provide specialized standards-based instruction in Art, Music, Dance and Drama to the entire 4th grade and to one class in each of the other grade levels, K-5. This Art instruction is supplemented by Art Teachers paid for by our booster club. We have great dual afterschool programs - one free one for a fee, as well as homework clubs. We have a nice campus with a new Kinderyard playstructure, a garden, a grassy field, murals, a lovely library, and an outdoor art space- 'Art Alley'. We have fantastic parent involvement and welcome you and your little learner - Join us!” Posted By: parent Quality Score: decline 2006-01-26 “Let's just talk about the STAR program. My brother and friends children have all attended school here - the school is doing well and the STAR program is one of the best. STAR is run by a man called Jay. He has lived in the area since he was a child and the staff that works with him are dedicated to making Castle Heights a great neighborhood school. Their program is great - they do Karate, Dance, Music etc etc and they even get to use the Theatre in Hamilton High School to put on their shows (a great venue by the way). Anyway, I know a lot of upcoming families in the neighborhood have band together to make this school something special - now and for the future.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2005-12-13 “Castle Heights has turned out to be a fabulous neighborhood school. Our kids love it and so do we. The teachers are well rounded and are suited to work with a variety of different types of kids whether it be more academic or creative. The parent group has shown a huge resurgence in the last few years and you can really tell that it makes a huge difference.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-11-12 “My third child will finish fifth grade this June, 2006. It has been a great place for both of my boys. We are a family with a high value on education, and Castle Heights has been a wonderful place to learn, giving a solid grounding to my sons as they cotinue on with their studies. The atmosphere at Castle Heights is an eclectic mix of families, teachers, assistants and volunteers that all want to help raise and educate enthusiastic, culturally aware, curious learners. The current administration at Castle Heights is excellent and I will be sorry to leave.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-10-26 “I am the parent of a Castle Heights student that began in kindergarten and is now a 5th grader. The academic support she has received has been exceptional. The caliber of teachers has always been excellent from year to year. The emphasis on the 'whole student' has had a profound effect on the type of student and citizen my daughter has become. The attention Castle Heights has given to the arts throughout the years has been exemplary, especially since year after year, the California state government has taken more funded programs away. Parents and teachers have single-handedly seen to it that outside individuals/groups have come to teach dance, music, art courses to the students and they have benefited greatly. Parents are the true backbone of Castle Heights and from the thoughtful fundraising activities to the parent support events it all makes a true difference in the lives of the students.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2005-08-23 “This school was wonderful. Both the academic and the extracurricular activities were great, as was the parental involvement.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 3 2005-08-22 “Castle Heights is a nice little school. Unfortunately, it has open court learning which can be stifling to an above average student. It lacks enrichment classes except for those offered through Star. It has a great Star program. Castle Heights lacks many areas of study, such as the fine arts and all the sciences including computer science. Possibly with the new Principal the school could improve its academics. Castle Heights has good teachers, but they are restricted by the Open Court Program. The homework is not specific to a teacher's class. Instead it is for the entire grade level regardless of the student's ability. Parent involvement is limited to a few.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2005-08-02 “Great parents, great teachers, great kids! STAR prgram is Fabulous and the visual arts program is too. Small class sizes. Parents are really invovled.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2005-08-01 “The school is an excellent example for great teaching and parent involvement in public schools. They have experienced teachers who love kids. They have a great visual arts program and after school enrichment. The principal is new this year and we are still waiting to see who she is; so far so good! the parents are great and the school is excellent. My kids love it. It is orderly, with excellent academics, plus art and science. Small class size helps too. Physical plant is really nice; big blacktop, new play structure, and big grassy area. They have a real kitchen with hot lunches cooked there. It is great.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-06-25 “Awesome growth is occuring. Student and parents are motivated to achieve excellence. Diverse community working together.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-04-29 “this is a really nice school with a very helpful and knowledge staff. they have improved even more in the last 4 years.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-04-27 “High level of parent involvement, good arts curriculum and great afterschool enrichment. Small class size for a public school. Very experienced teachers. Nice physical surroundings including grass play area, new play structure, et c. New principal this year seems to be pretty good.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-04-27 “Experienced teachers, small class size and involved parents. Good after school care. Good PE program. New playground equipment. Lots of art and music. Too much emphasis on memorization and homework but the standards are high so I guess that is the reason.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-04-24 “I live in the neighborhood and first considered private school when my second grader began kindergarten. This school has many dedicated families and teachers. Parent involvement and fundraising is at the highest level. The benefits of parents being involved at all levels is immeasurable. Test scores are increasing at a higher rate than schools in the area. If this trend continues, this will truly be a great school. I hope that the academic rigors continue to challenge my son.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-04-03 “Excellent school with wonderful teachers and involved parents. No uppity feeling found in some private schools. Diverse mix of student body.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-03-08 “Castle heights is in te midst of a change - the old Pricipal just left and a new one is about to start. The new one was picked by the residents so everyone seems pleased. Castle Heights seems to be known for its special education program. It also has a 150 strong group of families to be enrolled in castle Heights...a neighborhood that has gathered together to try and make sure that their school will improve throughout the year and years to come.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 3 2004-09-08 “Castle Heights has a lot of the right things going for it, good principal, lots of good teachers, and high parental involvement. The only negative about this school is that it is a LA unified school, which means it is subject to the curicculum dictated by the district. This seems to stifle the good teachers and not allow them to do what they do best, which is to teach. I find the Open Court program too tedious to do for hours a day, and the Scott Foresman math program to throw too much information at the kids, without building a math foundation. Castle Heights is a very safe school, but it varies on the discipline depending on the teacher. Some teachers run a tight ship, while others allow the kids too much liberty.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2003-09-09 “Castle Heights has one of the fastest growing parent involvement programs around. The faculty is fantastic and the commitment to improvement is so strong that when we looked at private schools they didn't hold a candle to this gem of a school. Some of the highlights include a new 'art alley' area where kids can participate in a unique arts program. Fall Festival is a great event that the entire community participates in, something of a rarity these days. I just can't say enough good things about what is happening at this public school. I encourage anyone interested to take a tour and to get involved in any school you attend. It really makes a difference.” Posted By: Quality Score: 5 2003-06-23 “Wow, the teachers have been so great -- my children have learned so much this year (including how to value themselves for who they really are) -- how did I get so lucky as to have a wonderful neighborhood school? Don't believe those articles in the newspaper; there are good public schools out there like Castle Heights! Even though my children are 'highly gifted,' they are challenged and stimulated by the fantastic staff. Thanks, Castle Heights.” Posted By: Quality Score: 5 2003-06-19 “My daughter has thrived at Castle Heights since kindergarten, and anticipates 5th grade next year. The on-campus STAR program is a huge plus. This is a _community_ school that demonstrates L.A. public education at its best!” Posted By: Quality Score: 5 2003-06-19 “The concept of the neighborhood school lives again in Castle Heights Elementary School! It's a supportive, caring community -- not just a great school with strong academics (which it also delivers). The new Principal is especially strong yet gentle as a leader and the focus is always on what's best for the children.”