Eliot Arts Magnet

2184 Lake Avenue

School District

Pasadena Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
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 June 05, 2024

My son just completed 6th grade and, as he is an artist, is learning so much from, not only his art and drama classes, but from the after school conservatory. He is taking two fine art/drawing classes, stop motion animation. As I have no artistic talent, he is getting much needed direction, support, and encouragement. In addition, he is getting strong core curriculum instruction. The conservatory, along with the Capturing Kids Heart program, have created a vibrant, kind, calm, and enriching environment for students to learn.A new principal was placed this year and has acclimated easily and taken the helm. I look forward to her increased attention on academics and insuring that students are being fully challenged academically as they are artistically.
Submitted by principal on May 24, 2024

Elliott is a thriving middle school that has a number of excellent Art Programs. The principal, staff and teachers are outstanding and are always looking out for the best interest of the students. Elliott has a diverse student body who are building leadership skills.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2024

This school has not only met my children's academic and social-emotional needs but has also fostered a truly inclusive environment. Previously, my children were in a charter school that left them academically behind and socially entitled. Since enrolling here, their academic performance has improved, and they have developed a greater awareness and empathy for diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. The new administration is genuinely supportive of creating an inclusive environment where parents are encouraged to contribute their talents and voice their concerns. My children have grown to love and admire some of their teachers, who have become their favorites. I couldn't ask for much more from a middle school. The arts are a great bonus!
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2024

My child has been at Eliot for 3 years and the experience has been positive. With any child there are ups and downs in school, but overall there have been no real complaints about teachers, fellow students or learning. I have been able to talk to any teacher or administrator whenever it was necessary and they were happy to get my input and provided what information I needed. My child has made the Honor Roll every year and is looking forward to and is prepared for High School. The Arts program is great, teaching all aspects of theatre, dance, and music, not just performing, but what it takes to put on a performance. The children I have spoken to who are in the French Emersion program love it. The after-school Conservatory programs are full.The only down side to Eliot is that there is not enough parental involvement. A common problem in Middle School, but even that is getting better. The administration has encouraged parent / community involvement and is constantly coming up with ways to get parents and the community involved. No school is perfect, but I recommend attending Eliot to any and everyone.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2024

We were initially very excited to go here and have access to all of the after school offerings. Unfortunately it just did not work out. The crowd is very rough and the supervision in the afterschool program is non-existent. We noticed a marked behavior change for the worse with our daughter and there seemed to be constant stress and drama. We pulled her after 6 weeks and zero help from the school counselors or vice principal in resolving the situation. Almost immediately her attitude and behavior was back in track after being in a different environment at a small private school. As much as I wanted to believe they had it as together as it seemed on the tours and visits, ultimately I felt very guilty for choosing such a poor school for my daughter. She is honor role at her current school and happy with a large social circle.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2023

My child does not like the school. She complains of the slow learning pace, especially in math, and that she does not feel it is a safe learning environment. As a parent, the leadership of the principal is concerning. She is primarily concerned with the performing arts and the elementary school. In meetings she had voiced her opinion about wanting more white families to attend and blames the discipline issues on foster children. The learning environment of the middle school appears to be an afterthought. How can 2/3 of the students be on the honor roll and the test scores be as low as they are…grade inflation and low expectations. Many teachers have left with newly certified teachers with a lack of experience taking their place, which is a disservice to the students. Long term subs are also leaving because of the non-supportive leadership.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2023

Its been my experience that this school is a embarrassment to the community. They call this school a magnet school , the only thing this school attracts is woke teachers and bad kids. My daughter has had a ruff time adjusting to this school. Alot of fights and a kid even O.D. on campus. The worst thing about about this school is that the school hides these incidents of the parents.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2023

Our family has had a great experience at this school. We were in a charter school previously and didn’t realize how poorly our kids were being educated. The teachers at Eliot have been top notch. In 6th grade my son was barely able to pass, and in the three years he’s been there he has now made the honor roll. He had a lot of catching up to do. This school was successful instilling passion and structure in my child’s education.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2022

It would be a GREAT school, if it weren’t for the principal. Students and teachers can’t stand her leadership and it’s truly crippling the school. Her only concern is her own image and students and can see right through her. If she was out, this school could be near perfect.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2022

My Experience at this School was very cool the teachers are very nice as well as the 2 principals this principals bring back so many memories the Academics were very easy and the Physical Education. In all my classes I would get A's and B's and earning recognition awards for all my hard work. I was one of the top students at that school.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2022

This school was once a wonderful and supportive community. Unfortunately that is no longer true. The new principal is more interested in controlling stage productions, having gala parties, and promoting her vision of the K- 8, than being an administrator to the current students. Education should not be an afterthought in middle school. There are still a few dedicated teachers, but so many are quitting. If you have a child of color beware of sending them to Eliot. It may be a diverse population but there is no equity or inclusion and the principal clearly favors White parents and students.The former strength of the school was all of the involved parents. There are still a few but the lack of equity and inclusion has many parents chosing to not bother anymore. This hurts everyone. Communication and organization have declined and this has led to a less safe environment. The principal's response is to blame foster children and attempt to quiet and control the conversation about the issues instead of working to solve the problems. The school board's response is to ignore it and hope people will just stop complaining.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2019

Absolutely AMAZING! My kids have really found themselves and they have grown morally, socially and developed high empathy
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2018

My child is happy, loves his school, has friends and likes to learn from his teachers. He enjoys being on campus and being engaged in his own education.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2018

Eliot Arts Magnet Academy grows by leaps and bounds every year. With most schools focusing on STEM and academics only, I enjoy the arts integration offered here. It's also an incredible program on its own, drama, choir, dance, rock band, orchestra, all lead by amazing, committed teachers who want our children to succeed.
Submitted by student on March 28, 2018

4 stars because they are not good when it comes to fight
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2017

Low. Poor education. Teachers are unable to manage the classroom and do not challenge students with competitive education to prepare them for high school. All PUSD schools are this way.
Submitted by other on October 08, 2016

Amazing arts program. Fantastic school climate. My daughter is thriving! I have heard Eliot called the happiest middle school in the district and I would have to agree!
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2015

Eliot Arts is a great Middle School. There has been many improvements over the years and the district and community is embracing their school again! My daughter started here this year and is loving it! She is taking flute and in an afterschool art class (Room 13)that is wonderful.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2015

I am a parent whose children are enrolled at Hamilton Elementary in PUSD. We have chosen to send our kids to Eliot for middle school. The Arts Magnet structure has changed this school completely. I witnessed enthusiastic, focused students as well as incredibly impressive, dedicated and engaging teachers. The Science, Math and History teachers were outstanding, and the Arts teachers and staff were equally well credentialed and superb. The artists in residence are another part of Eliot's new equation for success. Each class has, on average, only 25 students. Quite spectacular at the middle school level! Eliot received an enormous grant to implement this new magnet structure. A Magnet Coordinator was hired to oversee this project. Equipment and facilities, arts-integration training for the teachers and staff, and an emphasis on long term educational changes for the school are apparent. The Great Schools rating/API score was determined prior to all of the magnet funds and educational changes. Because of a statewide switch to Common Core and a transition from testing for API scores, this 2 will be floating around but is not reflective of what I witnessed at this new Eliot.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2015

Wow! I recently toured the school and was greatly impressed by the new model being implemented at the school. The teacher's and were knowledgeable and committed to integrating arts into the student curriculum. More importantly they an impressive understanding of the new Common Core standards, having being involved in the District planning for its implementation. The facilities and equipment were surprisingly good, with a lab full of new Macs, a video recording studio, ample studio space, and a beautifully renovated auditorium. The student body is very diverse, which is another great point for those looking for a stimulating and engaging environment for their kids. I'm looking forward to enrolling my kids there next year.