Altadena Elementary School

743 East Calaveras Street

School District

Pasadena Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Pasadena Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 25, 2025

Our children have absolutely thrived here. I cannot recommend this school enough. If you are an area parent affected by the recent fire looking for an alternative to charters, a parent on the fence about private schools, or simply looking to provide your child a fantastic, well-rounded education supported by a community of welcoming, engaged, progressively minded, and overall simply great families, you owe it to yourself and your kids to look into Altadena Arts Magnet. This has become a school that now, because of undeniable recent advances in quality, draws families from the wider San Gabriel foothills area, from Sierra Madre to Glendale.Also, if you’re unaware of the funding and history behind this particular website, or if you’re unaware of the history of segregation in Pasadena and Altadena, please give it a search. There’s an agenda and rationale behind the weighting of these rankings and the false perceptions of public education in this area. Recommended viewing: Can We All Get Along? on PBS, about the segregation of John Muir High School.
Submitted by other on June 12, 2023

Excellent school—one of the best kept secrets in the Los Angeles metro area. People are moving from all over the east side and beyond to attend this school.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2023

My daughter was at a charter school previously. We moved her in 3rd grade because she needed more structure. She loves art. It is what helps to calm and center her. This school is the best of both worlds. Academically she has improved significant and is now at the top of her class. Artistically she is introduced to so many different facets to explore. She is having a great experience here. And her teachers have all been amazing!
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2022

We’ve had a great experience at AAM so far. They offer wonderful arts integration and arts instruction in music, dance and visual arts. The teachers are caring. The PTA is very engaged in supporting all students. It feels like a tight-knit community.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2022

No funding and teachers do not care about the education of the kids including the principal .. run my child was there for 3 one yrs. as a kinder he couldn’t hey into the french Emersons Bc he read better in English lol what child at 5 can read rite and speak two languages!!! Tons of bullying
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2021

Ignore any review prior to 2017. The school has been completely overhauled with a huge grant and has become a sparkling new arts magnet that also offers a fantastic French immersion program.
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2019

This is such an amazing school. I can’t believe they can offer so many different arts opportunities.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2019

We love it here. Our teachers and community is awesome and our girls are learning French and Arts in a diverse community that values kindness
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2019

Really inclusive diverse school with great leadership and amazing teachers. French program is amazing.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2017

My daughter started kindergarten in the French Immersion program this fall and we are thrilled. Her teachers are so hands on and I get updates often with phone calls and email. The administration is working hard to make this an inclusive, culturally rich learning environment for our kids and it shows. Most importantly, our daughter is very happy and loves going to school every day.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2017

French immersion program opened summer 2017 with K and 1st grade. Kids from the existing community and other areas are attending this program. Great teachers and families working closely with wonderful principal.Bringing so much energy to this area. Bilingual education is really great for young kids.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2017

Our son is attending the French immersion program being offered for K and 1st grade. The new principal is amazing and the school has been fully renovated. I thoroughly recommend this school to any family.
Submitted by other on November 26, 2013

I went to this school from kindergarten to the sixth grade, it is a great elementary school to attend I have so many memories here. The teachers are so great and are so motivating. - Saul Velasquez
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2013

If you have a child with special needs, this is not the school for them. They call themselves an inclusion school, but it is only by name. They will go against the IEP with no shame and do not know how to deal with special needs kids in the classroom. The teachers make it seem like it is a "privilege" that the special needs kids are able to go on the field trips. Be prepared to fight for your child's rights at this school.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2013

I'm very happy with this school. I think Mr. White is doing a great job with the resources he has available. He knows every child by name and encourages them to do well every day. It seems that the PARENTS of students at Altadena are the ones who don't care much, and just send them to school for free babysitting. The teachers are kind and caring and work hard to invent creative ways of teaching concepts. Ms. Major is the BEST kindergarten teacher in the world. All the kids have many opportunities to learn fine arts and healthy eating habits and science as well as math and reading. They have a computer lab with IPads available to the kids. They have a library. They have a garden! They teach photography and dance and so many other things you thought were not taught because of budget limitations. This staff is really trying hard for our kids every day.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2012

This school was a nightmare for my family especially my son. This school by far has the worst behavioral and social skills to dial with a disable child. His teacher was the laziest teacher Their approach to finding a solution simple created more problems. They also called me to pick up my son because he was throwing sticks. Kids will be kids and instead of a talking approach it was always a punishment approach. The principle Mr. White is the most unprofessional principle I have met. He does not genuinely care about the education of his pupil. While having a conversation where I am stating my frustration, and he clearly displaying an I don t care attitude towards my concerns . One day my son did not take his medication and the teacher told my son that she will not be able to deal with him so she sent him to the office at 8:23am. My son had to spend all day in the office due to her negligence. I decided to be an advocate for my child because I felt he was being outcast, harassed, discriminated against. I thank GOD he is in better hands now.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2012

This school was a nightmare for our family. We transferred out of this school in Janaury 2009.
Submitted by other on April 28, 2010

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Submitted by parent on December 09, 2009

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Submitted by parent on December 02, 2009

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