Sierra Canyon School

11052 Independence Avenue

Chatsworth, CA 91311

33 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 20, 2023

Don’t waste your money, the school is actually a failing institution. It’s the type of place that news outlets need to do an expose on! Nepotism and favoritism are the pillars of this school. It is ALL of those things and more that the other 1 star reviewers are saying. Your children will not be prepared for college but you will duped through the years into thinking so. The school is negligent when you want to report teachers bad behaviors. They will take zero responsibility. Yet, the teachers complain about a toxic work environment. So, who gets the brunt of that toxicity? You guessed right, your children! There’s a dress code however, if you are a varsity player in any sport it doesn’t apply to you. You can come in pajamas and not receive detention. Don’t apply unless you want depressed child and a $500K bill on top!
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2021

Going to this school was the worst experience of our life. It’s a rich kid school. The teachers had no interest in dealing with disagreements among the kids. The school work is intense. Constant projects and tests. It would have been fine if I felt my child was really learning. That was not the case. The bullying was incredible. Horrible kids there. The administration there seems to really cater to the rich celebrity parents. Again, a horrible experience.
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2019

My daughter has never been happier in school - both socially and academically - than she has been at Sierra Canyon. The administration is excellent, the teachers are wonderful, and the school is extremely well-run. They have found the perfect balance of a superior academic education while still focusing on the whole child.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2019

We transitioned from overseas and our son started Third Grade at Sierra Canyon. The support has been phenomenal. The class sizes are small with fantastic teachers and the academic standards are high. Sierra Canyon is a unique school with the right values and has a strong sense of community. We travel along way to the school and it is 100% worth it.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2017

My 10th grader was getting a terrible education at LAUSD Taft Charter High School in Woodland Hills. She is an honors student and the teacher's at Taft didn't care and the students hated the school. She transferred to Sierra Canyon in the middle of 10th grade and it literally saved her education and her future. She just accepted to a top 15 ranked school by US News & World Report. Sierra Canyon's RaRa factor at the school is great, and while they have top basketball and football teams, there is plenty for all level of athletes and clubs, like theater, for those not into sports. The teachers really care and like their job. The administration also cares and goes well beyond expectations. This school is top notch and worth the investment.
Submitted by other on February 08, 2017

My kids joined Sierra Canyon a little over five years ago. I have three kids here and they span from the elementary school to high school, so I have a unique perspective of seeing things from the beginning, all the way to the end. Our experiences have been phenomenal and I am so happy we chose SC. When we were looking for a new home for the kids, we wanted a school that felt like a community, but was still professional, a school that had academic rigor, but wasn't suffocating the kids with homework, and a school with diversity - of all types. Sierra Canyon has met, and continues to meet, all of those needs. In the upper school, my kids are in AP and Honors classes in the courses that interest them and that they have a natural talent in; and they're in grade level classes for other courses. They've found the right balance of rigor to allow them to continue to be curious and engaged. In addition, SC encourages healthy competition. Of course the students all want to do their best, but they are very happy celebrating their peers' successes. It's a collaborative environment, not one where you don't have the support of your classmates.Another thing I love about SC is their sports program. My kids aren't top athletes, but they were able to find sports that they could play and participate in. There's a place for them...as well as those student-athletes who get full scholarships because of their talent. And it's great to see those athletes at the games for my kids - cheering them on! There isn't a college-prep school in LA that can compete with the diversity at SC. There's racial, economic, political - any type of diversity you want, you'll find at SC. The teachers push the students to think and to challenge themselves, but they're there along the way to encourage, support, and applaud. Any time we've ever run into issues, the teachers have been there. I also want to mention that the college counseling staff is exceptional. They're attentive, smart, resourceful, and patient; and they guide you through the process in such a way that you aren't overwhelmed.I'm in awe of all that my kids have accomplished here. The faculty and staff are all amazing and I am truly grateful that we found SC and became part of the family.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2016

Sierra Canyon is more than just a place where our children learn academics, it is where they learn to be good people. We planted our roots here many years ago and take pride in how the teachers and staff cultivate our children's love for learning and passion for being positive and productive members of the community.
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2016

Fantastic EK-12th grade independent college prep school. Extremely warm & welcoming faculty & student body. Very low teacher/student ratio. The teachers truly love their students & care about them becoming not only academically successful but to grow into respectful individuals as well. Great academic, arts, sports & music programs. Large variety of after school enrichment classes to choose from. Would highly recommend this amazing school to anyone looking for a superb education for your children.
Submitted by other on October 05, 2016

Amazing school - great college preparatory program, EK-12. Small student:teacher ratio (9:1) allows individual attention and students really thrive in a very personal, caring environment. Strong academic, music, arts, foreign language programs. Open door policy when it comes to parents communicating with teachers or administrators. Wonderful after-school enrichment programs, clubs, dance, music, sports (with teams winning major titles). Strong sense of community and family. Beautiful campuses (lower school EK-6 and upper school), just across the street from each other. Very diverse student body. School has bus transportation program and after school care program . Students come from all over the valley - Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Calabasas, even Agoura and Thousand Oaks. Graduates of Sierra Canyon go on to Ivy league schools and other amazing college programs.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2015

As a parent of two children at this school, I wholeheartedly believe that the school has been a hidden jewel whose time has come! Before they had a high school, it was a very good little school on a hard-to-find campus. Now that they have the "upper campus" (middle school and high school), the school has achieved increased academic & athletic acclaim. I would recommend this school in a heartbeat to anyone looking for diversity in a school population & administration. Additionally, if you want a school where the teachers care about the students and enjoy teaching, this is the place to call home.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2015

After receiving my daughter's 6th grade report card, I felt it important to let the Los Angeles community know what an incredible school Sierra Canyon has been for my children. Never did I imagine that my kids who are now in 6th and 7th grade would love school and learning as much as they do. They have been at Sierra Canyon for 5 years and this school literally has changed their lives. They just love going to school everyday. The teachers are the real heroes of Sierra Canyon. If you are looking at schools for your kids, I strongly encourage you to visit Sierra Canyon. Go to the classrooms. See these teachers in action. Talk to the children. It's an amazing place. Do not let the fact that the school is in Chatsworth prevent you from visiting it. We live in Encino. The kids catch the bus at Whole Foods on Sepulveda in Sherman Oaks. They are at school in 20 minutes. There is a bus at Moraga in Bel Air as well. It's way easier to get there than you think it would be. Kids come there from all over Los Angeles. And, to have your children in such a beautiful setting makes being in Chatsworth a wonderful thing. Sierra Canyon is definitely a hidden gem of a school in the Los Angeles area.
Submitted by student on December 17, 2014

I'm a new student this year, and this school has made me feel incredibly welcome. The students are so nice and I've made friends fast. I've enjoyed every single one of my classes, and my teachers are fantastic. They're always there to help with anything. I've become involved in sports, and being on a team here truly feels like being part of a family. In the few months that I've been at Sierra Canyon, I've only become more and more sure that coming here was the right decision.
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2014

Sierra Canyon jumped in and saved the day when my son's school closed in mid July of his senior year... we were left without anywhere to attend and Sierra kindly offered him a spot. Once there he was sorry he hadn't attended all four years of high school. He loved Sierra! He was able to start up a radio station to do sports broadcasting where he reported live from the football games! He is now a proud student of The University of Southern California where he often reflects back to his AP English teacher when he writes a college paper. I highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2014

Before faulting this school for failing to meet your child's needs, it is more important to find out what those needs are before enrolling her here. That being said, I am the father of a second-year student at SC and sending my child here was one of the best decisions we have ever made. As a gifted student with numerous musical accolades, my daughter used to snooze through her public school lessons while maintaining straight A's because the teacher was always going over the same material while spending the majority of her time on those who couldn't "get it." After her transfer to SC, this was no longer an issue since her teachers seem to adhere to their lesson plans. Although she is still getting her straight A's, she now she has to work a lot harder than ever before to earn them, especially with the competition around her. Granted, being in MS, she has classes such as Algebra 1 with high school jocks in attendance. However, her teacher hardly ever slows down for them and briskly breezes through the material. And I thank him for that-- for not wasting my money and my child's time. Thank you, Sierra Canyon.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2014

As a former parent, I must say that at first I was thrilled with the school. Then our family had a financial nightmare that forced me to reconsider sending my kids there. The Finance Director offered to waive the interest on tuition. I found out from several other families when I was still debating what to do that they already had that deal. I heard from another former family that they were taken to small claims court over a small balance (around $1,000) after one of the parents was in a horrible car accident. When I transferred my children to another school I found that they were okay in their knowledge, but they were not able to get their work done in a timely manner. After talking to their teachers and my children, I found that they all had too much hand-holding at SCS. If I'm going to fork over $25k per child, I want a good education AND I want them to learn how to get their work done without constant assistance. From what I've heard from current parents who I am still friends with, the school is more interested in all of the famous and athletic families they can get. And don't even mention the multi-million dollar sports fields that we helped fundraise for that's empty!
Submitted by other on May 27, 2014

I am in process of looking for my two kids for the 2015 school year and was told about Sierra Canyon by a friend. I can't believe how right she was to send me here. I toured both the elementary and high school and found the facilities to be beautiful and inviting. I guess the thing that impressed me most was that every child or student that we came in contact with seemed really happy and was so polite and welcoming. This is definately a school at the top of my list.
Submitted by other on May 21, 2014

Sierra Canyon affords students the opportunity to pursue their passions. Students can start clubs, voice their opinions in student government, and teachers always have open doors and are excited to engage in conversation and debate. Although the academics are challenging, the school environment is not too competitive. I love being part of such an accepting community.
Submitted by other on May 20, 2014

As a student at Sierra Canyon, I know I always feel comfortable to be myself. It is a place of community where the students are so welcoming, which creates a comfortable environment for both new and returning students. Teachers are flexible and willing to work with you whether you have a question, an issue, or if you just want to talk- they're always there for you. The small class sizes allow for students and teachers to have a close relationship and a connection that's unlike most other schools. Also, the food is so good and the snack and lunch times are perfect lengths!
Submitted by other on May 15, 2014

This school is great I'm a student here. All the bad comments about the school are not true! Those are the idiotic kids who didn't take school serous. This school offers some of the best education in California , it's $30 thousand for a reason.
Submitted by other on May 09, 2014

This school sucks, i go here currently and its absolutely terrible. The education is alright but some of the teachers are very rude and disrespectful. There is a teacher who actually insults their students and calls them idiots. Mostly, lots of the kids are very very rude. There are some nice people who are really sweet but mainly is guys who make fun of you and make disgusting sexual comments. Then there's the girls who whisper about you and the school is so cliquey. do not go here, please. i'm switching to public school next year and i hope you dont go to this school because you'll be miserable