Schools > Public > Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School

Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School in Burbank, California

Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School Detail

(310) 234-3100
1650 Selby Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Levels: 6-8
District: Los Angeles Unified School District


Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School Census Data

Census InfoValueYear
Student Teacher Ratio:19.3% (2008)
Percent Free and Reduced Price Lunch:70.83% (2008)
White, non-Hispanic:16.24% (2009)
Black, non-Hispanic:21.87% (2009)
Hispanic:54.06% (2009)
Asian:4.68% (2009)
Pacific Islander:0% (2009)
Native American or Native Alaskan:0.29% (2009)
Unspecified:0.86% (2009)
Filipino:2.01% (2009)

Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School Ratings Summary

Average Quality Rating4
Average Principals Rating4
Average Teachers Rating4
Average Activities Rating3
Average Parents Rating3
Average Safety Rating4

Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School Reviews

Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-12-11
“I am an eighth grader at Emerson Middle School, and going to this school has been a wonderful experience for me. If you really want to learn at a high level, Emerson will be great for you. The teachers are great!”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-11-04
“Teachers are awesome and principal is dynamic and school-changing!!!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-11-03
“serious about growth of students”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2009-11-03
“our school has a lot of parent involvment so the kids like to come to school and get involved aswell. We have a great principle that cares about the school & the kids.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-06-02
“I am a parent of current Emerson student. I want to say that Emerson is a very good school. Unfortunately current economic crisis is affecting Emerson - it looks like the Music program will be canceled in Fall 2009. I am posting following information to all interested Emerson alumni: If you want to see the last 2009 Spring Music Concert please visit Emerson Auditorium on 6/4/2009, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. and join the legend - Mr. Lanni with the Marching Panthers Orchestra plus alumni. It will be most probably the last Marching Panthers Orchestra performance. I am sure Emerson will be different without Marching Panthers Orchestra. I am also sure Emerson still be great place to study and to have fun.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-05-20
“As a parent of a 6th grader, I can only say that this year has been a wonderful experience for my son. He has never been more organized, more motivated about school. He loves the lunch time sports leagues, the A. Reader Program. Emerson competed in World Math Day and my son was online competing with students all over the world until I made him go to bed. The drama program is great. He is taking chorus and is surprised how much he loves it. He is in the Team Prime Time Program after school and has met friends from all grades. Yes the school has problems - but none that other schools don't share. Come and see for yourself!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-04-29
“As a parent of a graduating 8th grader, it is important to reiterate that the choice to stay public and support our community middle school has made us proud. Imperfect (what school isn't), but improving every year, we are happy to be counted among those who did not outsource our kids to an out-of-area public school. Unless you have very specific and compelling learning issues, attending your local middle school should be a no-brainer. We are proud to be counted among the many independent families who made the right choice for our community. Fingers crossed that those up and coming will follow in our footsteps and continue the trend. Bravo to our school and our graduating (well-educated and involved) young men and women who move on to the next chapter...high school!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-04-16
“I am parent of a current eigth grader and I am so happy we selected Emerson. My son came from Fairburn and we also heard all the nasty rumors about the school which turned out to be untrue. He has received an excellent education; he is still scoring off the charts in both math and english thanks to the rigors of the IHP curriculm and the nourturing teachers. In addition, he as grown into a well rounded person having taken drama with Mr. Weiss and through other electives. And most importantly, the friendships he developed at Fairburn have continued through middle school and will continue beyond. A few days ago he mentioned he was graduating with very fond memories of his middle school experience and will look back with much happiness. To me, those words meant plenty.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-02-11
“Thank goodness that in my oldest daughter's fifth grade year, several of her friends decided early on Emerson. It has been a treasure. I am so grateful we didn't buy into the unkind rumors that were being spread by the 'private school' parents who were trying to justify their choice to pay for an education likely not as good or diverse as what they could have had for free at Emerson. Starting with 'Howdy Days' (a 3-day orientation for 6th graders, where they learn its ins and outs), the school was extremely welcoming. The SAS/IHP teachers are dedicated, caring indivduals. Our daughter was challenged to think by Ms. Cruz, encouraged to explore by Mr. Joseph, motivated to push her limits by Ms. Senior, and shown that learning can be fun by Ms. Cook. 7th and 8th have been great too, culminating with Mr. Weiss and drama. Great staff (thanks Mr. Cota)!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2008-11-02
“I am going to second that statement of an earlier review, this school is awesome. It's small enough that the principal knows every student and cares too. The teachers are professional and really impart so much knowledge into these kids. Emerson Middle School is the best kept secret on the Westside. They have a great Academic program, a fantastic Performing Arts program and a wonderful after school program. It's a safe small campus and would recommend it highly. I have had kids at this school now for 4 years and I see a great influx of great kids and great parents rolling up their sleeves to make this school even better. MJ”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-11-01
“It's an awesome school who deserves a visit before judging and also some involvement on the great programs and opportunities for bright kids”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2008-09-11
“In response to Sept 5th review - yes there is only one teacher per subject, because there is only one IHP class! For those who don't know - IHP is the individual honors program which is the highest academic level that your child can access through the LAUSD. There are only 2 LAUSD schools which offer IHP - Emerson(Westside) and Walter Reed(Valley). If you live this side of the hill, consider Emerson. My children are very happy there - the new principal is outstanding, there are great teachers and good teachers. Almost 1/3 of the incoming 6th graders are from Warner, Fairburn and Westwood Charter.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2008-09-05
“I think this school is okay. Im in IHP and in sixth grade. There are two problems. They dont put uniform restrictions like they said in the uniform rules. They olny have 1 teacher for IHP per subject. the school needs updating. I give it a 6 1/2 out of ten.”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2008-08-01
“We have been an Emerson family for 4 years in a row, and our children have been completely safe. All schools (including Paul Revere and Palms receive 'opportunity transfers-you can check the LA Unified website. Emerson is by far the smallest school of the three mention-Paul Revere has 1000 more students and Palms has 700 more. If you want a much smaller school in an upsale neighborhood (Westwood), where the students are put in classes (School for Advanced Studies) with students of similiar abilities, choose Emerson! Brand new principal as of 07-08 school year.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2008-07-30
“Do not send your child here. It is not safe. They bus in kids that have been kicked out of other schools -- LAUSD calls them opportunity transfers. Because the building supposedly have architectural significance they have not updated anything -- this school may be the only one left in LAUSD without air-conditioning. Many classoom have no computers. Send your kid to Paul Revere or Palm.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-07-29
“I was a student at Emerson and I just graduated this year.Emerson is a great middle school.It has great teachers .To be honest some teachers can be mean but there are teachers who are really great.I have learned alot at this school and I have made alot of friends.Kids should really go to this school it is the best!!!”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-07-17
“Very nice,nice & educated staff,my daughter and I love emerson”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-02-29
“Hiya, i'm a mom with a beef. There are persistent false rumours about Emerson's safety by neighborhood parents who send their kids to private school. Emerson's safety record beats all the surrounding middle schools year after year because of contained campus and security policies. It is so good, in fact, that we constantly have to fight to keep our safety officer to protect the premises from outside threat. Take the time to look it up. Wild talk about guns? We've never had a gun on campus in the memory of our longest serving teachers. We don't have gangs on our campus, like say, Palms, for the simple reason that this is not their neighborhood and they are not trying to protect turf. Kids feel safe, and they are.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2008-01-04
“Fact: If your kids come to Emerson scoring high, they will leave Emerson school scoring high. Stop looking at the API overall and start looking at kids in your demo. Did you notice that the school rating on this site can be broken down by the performance of kids from the same kind of family as yours? For example, the overall school rating for Emerson is 4, yet our school rating based on performance of our kids from parents with college to graduate school level educations is 7 to 9. Considering that classes are streamed by ability, doesn't that make sense? Then you are comparing apples with apples.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-12-20
“My daughter and her friends have been so happy at Emerson. Even those who chose to go to other schools have come back for 8th grade...it's like coming 'home.' The teachers she's had, bar one, have been amazing. She's had some wonderful educational opportunities in a low stress, high achievement atmosphere. We really like the new principal, too.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-12-06
“We ve encountered many misconceptions about Emerson particularly about busing and safety. First of all, no children are bused to the school for integration. The students who ride the buses live within Emerson s boundaries. As for safety, Emerson is as safe as any school anywhere. Our daughter, currently in 6th grade, and her older friends at Emerson have not encountered any bullying, gang activities or violence. Everyone, including teachers and staff, is held accountable. It's a shame that many eliminate Emerson as a possible middle school strictly because of rumors and misconceptions. This school offers many dynamic programs and opportunities from its outstanding drama department to its highly differentiated GATE program. We have found Emerson to be a community school with a small-school feel. Everyone we have encountered, from the dedicated teachers to the vibrant new principal, is constantly encouraging students to be the best they can be.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2007-12-01
“The SAS/IHP program is extremely challenging for all 3 grades. It is truely a 'school within a school' with about 100 students per grade. The students become very good friends after 3 years together in all of the same classes. This is a great neighborhood school where students from Westwood, Warner and Fairburn can easily walk to and from school. By the time they are in 8th grade it is nice to be able to give them that independence. Most of their friends will still live close by (just like elementary), and they won't always have to wait for 'Mom or Dad' to pick them up or to set up a car pool, or sit in traffic.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2007-11-02
“My name is Cassie Hobbs-Monterroso, my son Juan Antonio Monterroso is 12 years old, in the 6th grade, and he goes to Emerson Middle School. He is in the Advanced class. I like this School a lot, it is clean, has beautiful grounds, and the teachers really seem to care a lot about the students. The principal seems decicated to learning. I like the uniform policy, and the atmosphere is warm, friendly.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2007-09-10
“I would have to say that maybe this year with the new principal things wil be better. I am very disappointed to see such a great neighborhood and such a terrible school. Major events take place and no care or concern is admionistered or even advised to parents and students. Unfortunately, I feel like this is the only school that is descent in comparison to the few ones in my area.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2007-09-06
“Emerson actively seeks parent involvement at all levels, I've never lacked for something to do! Teachers teach the subjects that they are credentialed for - we have a very high level of teacher retention at the school. Regarding the 'locker area' - Emerson only has lockers for PE, where the PE teachers remain while students are accessing the locker area. The locker rooms are then locked during classes until it is time to change and they can be supervised again.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2006-03-29
“Both of my kids have gone to school at Emerson Middle, and the youngest is still there in 7th grade. They really loved the uniforms, because it adds an element of structure to the school environment.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 2
Post Date:2006-03-10
“This school has been an enormous disappointment. While the staff is trying, they are faced with an overload of tough, disrespectful kids and no money. I definitely would not recommend this school to anyone who cares about their child's education.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2005-07-12
“I was very upset with the physical education program and the extreme stringent standards of its staff.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2007-09-06
“Suggestions for improvement of school with a 'good heart' and some promise: Train teachers and all staff to engage parents and kids as clients and partners. Management staff must not give parents the run around. Teachers should comunicate regularly and actively with the parents using email. Stay the coursse with discipline at the school. A small percentage of slackers and bad apples can set the tone if the school allows it. Implement innovative strategies to reduce delinquency. Raise expectations in the classroom from the students. Even the SAS/IHP can benefit from a tightening of standards and higher goal setting. All in all, this is a good school with good people who are struggling to stay above the surface like so many other schools in the NCLB swamp. But with a sustained push from the principal, the staff, the teachers, and the parents, it can break free and shine eventually.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 2
Post Date:2007-09-05
“I think the school needs alot of improvement, such as more parent involvement. the school needs teachers that will comit to the subject they are supposed to teach. i think the school needs more security specially in the locker area.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2007-03-20
“This is my son s first year at Emerson and so far it has not been good. I ve had so my issues with the school s administration and staff. Every time I call the school because I have a question or concern I get the run-around. I get transfer to several people before I get a clear answer in ENGLISH. No one ever knows what is happening in the school. I m also frustrated with the school s low curriculum. I had heard good things about the principle, but apparently it seems that she is not taking enough care over her school.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2007-03-20
“I was really impressed with the transitional program Emerson provided for incoming six graders. However, some of the teachers are very dismissive and show little concern when a student is struggling academically. I phoned one teacher 3x and received no return phone call. I also did not receive proper notice from this teacher of my son's academic struggles so that I could have dealt with this problem accordingly. OK counselors, OK principle, wonderful music program (don't give six graders a lot of options to join the programs). Can become a good school with the proper leadership.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2006-09-09
“The only good part about Emerson is their IHP/SAS program, my daughter is in the 8th grade and is taking Algebra 2, many other schools will not accept a student into algebra 2 or geometry because the do not have the teachers to teach it, in this way Emerson is unique. I would suggest LACES and Walter Reed, if your student is advanced in math. There is also a very good drama program, your student must get into it, it looks good if they want to apply to Beverly High, or North Hollywood High.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2006-05-02
“School in need of renovation; decent teachers, but facility is rundown, drab, whole place has a feeling of depression. typical LAUSD school - budget cuts, etc.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2006-04-18
“Emerson has an exceptional staff from the principal to the support staff. All stakeholders put in the extra effort to make it a conducive learning environment for all students. I highly recommend this school to all students. Many diverse cultures are represented in the student body. All students' needs are the priority.”
This review was posted by a staff.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2006-04-10
“My daughter is an international student here at Emerson. In comparison I am disappointed with the schools academic structure. I immediately found out about the SAS program at the school. There was a drastic improvement... However the quality between the two is far too troubling for a parent.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 2
Post Date:2005-06-13
“My son is in the SAS program and the academic program has been rather anemic. He has gotten A's and B's with little effort. He has been required to write almost no papers and the grading suggests that spelling, grammer, punctuation, and coherence are not terribly important. Teachers make and receive cell phone calls during class. Most days in PE they are left to play on their own. Parent involvement seems minimal and does not seem strongly encouraged.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2005-05-25
“The booster club has done a lot to the facility. The PTA has added a garage sale and International Potluck. More Westwood Charter, Fairburn, and Warner parents are opting in. The SAS is packed and thriving.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2005-05-16
“Great drama program. If your kid is a band geek, there's a great place for her/him with Mr. Lanni. The band travels around and has summer practices. The dance program is stellar. Excellent principal. Nice campus. Smaller than the usual LA middle school. The staff is committed and friendly.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2005-05-14
“Fabulous principal. Wonderful grade level counsellors. I only know about some of the teachers, but the ones I'm familiar with are great, with one exception, who's fair. Excellent band which travels quite a bit, dedicated instructor. Excellent drama program...pro productions. Excellent dance teacher. Excellent remedial programs. Take a look at the SAS program....this could be the best middle school in LA for your kid. New paint,landscaping, and vegetable gardens plus the removal of security bars on the windows have really lightened up the institutional atmosphere.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2005-02-24
“This is my daughters first year at Emerson as a 6th grader. I have no problems at this point. I would like to state that there does not seem to be enought discipline in the classrooms. The teachers dont seem to do enough to keep the students from talking. Also it took my daughter 6 weeks to get her permanent teachers which in my opinion is poor planning. The school stated that they were not expecting so many students. Again, poor planning. However, the staff at this point does seem very supportive to your childs needs and will try to make the necessary changes when necessary.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2004-11-24
“Our daughter has gotten a very good education in the GATE program at Emerson Middle School. She is now in 8th grade. We've been really pleased with the quality of Emerson's teachers generally and their efforts to provide more challenging assignments, curriculum and field trips. The drama program is excellent. The principal is top notch. She's dedicated to providing a quality education to all the students, maintains a firm oversight on safety and discipline issues, and works hard to make the school more appealing to neighborhood families while continuing to meet the needs of its diverse student population. There is a small but active parent group that raises supplemental funds (including for some facility improvement projects) and also develops school involvement opportunities. We wish more families would give this school a chance.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 1
Post Date:2004-06-24
“I think the schoool needs a lot of improvements! They have a low number of graduates.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2004-06-16
“Excellent teaching staff, organized school, good atmosphere. The students come first.”
This review was posted by a teacher.




     




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