Playa Del Rey Elementary School

12221 Juniette Street

School District

Los Angeles Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Los Angeles 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 April 10, 2023

This is our first year at Playa Del Rey. My son is in Kindergarten and we love his amazing teacher and classroom! He's learned so much and I'm especially impressed with his level of skill in mathematics-which he loves! The staff we have interacted with is kind and approachable. There's a lot of parent involvement and a VERY hardworking parent group (Friends of Playa).
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2021

Playa del Rey is a home away from home! The teachers and staff are AMAZING! I couldn't ask for a better school for my children. The principal is a warm and caring leader who values the input of parents, staff, and students. My children enjoy going to school every day where they are greeted with smiles and warm hellos. It is a small school, but it delivers big! There is an overwhelming feeling of community and care. I was especially impressed by how both my children's teachers communicated with me and were honest about my children's strengths and areas of need. I found the teachers to be honest and trustworthy. The curriculum is standards based and the homework is adequate, especially for younger students. Playa is a school where children thrive and teachers care.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2021

Pros:- they have a great garden - the school is diverse - they have great outdoor programming and performances - Principal Blue is visible and has great rapport with the students. She’s truly and an awesome administrator.Issues with Academics:- Homework was never in sync with testing. The homework was nonexistent or extremely easy, yet they would have totally different problems on tests. My son’s kinder teacher was giving them word problems for assessments based on a math book for 3rd graders.- Group placement of children were never based on data or testing, but was always subjective based on where the teacher “felt” they were (at least for kinder & 1st grade). Note to administrators, this is where gender and racial bias kicks in. My child’s teacher explained to me that she felt that the kids with early birthdays were always smarter than the younger ones, and that kids are just either born smart or they’re not (imagine the bias of how kids are grouped in this class).- My child’s teacher was caught in a lie about an assessment. She had not assessed my child since the first week of school started, yet said she tested him right before report cards were due (which was a lie). Trust your gut as a parent, and don’t assume all teachers have integrity.Cons: We had a poor experience with this school with regards to racism and how black males are treated here. My child and four of his peers who were also black males have since left the school because of discriminatory treatment, all before the age of 8.I hate that my son had such a terrible introduction to education here. He’s now in a gifted program based on his current district that places kids based on rigorous testing and data, not based on teachers cliquish and biased opinions like I feel this school places children.For parents of black males attending this school, I encourage you to stay very involved with the homeroom teacher to make sure your child is being treated and placed appropriately academically, without bias.
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2021

Playa del Rey Elementary is a gem! It's a wonderful neighborhood school, with a small and close community. The school is headed by an amazing principal, Ms. Blue, who sets the tone for a caring, respectful and mindful community, where thoughtfulness, kindness and curiosity are encouraged and promoted. The office is led by the wonderful Mr. Ray, whose warmth and helpfulness also make the whole experience of showing up at school a wonderfully positive experience. We can't say enough about the wonderful teachers too! Our daughter has had the good fortune of being taught and guided by Mrs. Sampay and Mrs. Yasutake so far, and we know she has more great teachers in her future. We could not believe how lucky we got with a teacher like Mrs. Yasutake to get us through the pandemic. We couldn't have asked for a better 1st grade teacher who navigated the difficult, unprecedented year like a calm, steady ship, bringing out the smiles and the best in her students despite doing all this through a screen. Also, the school has a garden! The children get to spend time learning about plants and food and help take care of the chickens. What a wonderful way to incorporate science, health and well being into the curriculum. We thank our stars we ended up at Playa del Rey Elementary. We explored many elementary schools on the Westside and in the South Bay, and PDR has stood out so far as a truly special school. We will be sad to move when our daughter is ready for the next part of her educational journey.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2021

Dear Playa Del Rey Elementary administration, staff and faculty. Ana and I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to you for the many years of dedicated care, loving support and help in molding and shaping our most precious possessions, our twin boys. We're often teased by friends and relatives about being overprotective parents and not trusting anyone to watch our children for very long, but we found out quickly that our children's physical, emotional and mental well being was being carefully taken care of while we were at work by the kind and thoughtful folks at Playa Elementary. When our boys were infants, we wondered what kind of personalities they would have. Would they be outgoing and expressive or shy and introverted. Creative, athletic, or musical. Well now we know! They're so well rounded because of all the wonderful experiences and education they've received at your school. Thanks for being an important part of this thing we like to call "Our Journey". We appreciate you all for giving our sons a great head start in life that all parents strive to provide for their little ones. We love you ALL! We won't say goodbye, just see you later because we'd like to stay in touch. So..."Hasta Luego!"David & Ana Ali
Submitted by teacher on March 03, 2021

I am an outside vendor for this school, providing the music education/music program for this school. I have been the music teacher there for the past four years. During my career, I have worked in many public schools in Chicago and Los Angeles for 15 years as a music educator, and Playa del Rey Elementary is by far the most welcoming, warm, inclusive, caring school community I have ever had the pleasure working with.Let's start with the teachers and staff! Each and every member of the staff at this school is incredibly hard working and professional. Each classroom has a feeling of community. Every child feels like they matter, that they are part of a larger family. The classroom management is exceptional at this school, and any issues of misbehavior or bullying are quickly addressed. The older students are "Play Leaders" and feel a responsibility to lead and be examples to the younger students. The students take pride in their school and it shows! The principal, Ms. Blue, sets the tone for this school. She has a deep commitment to excellence - and this commitment is filtered down to every staff member, student, and parent at this school. She is the captain of this ship, and I feel lucky to have been able to work with her and learn from her.I love Playa del Rey Elementary. It is a wonderful school, a beautiful community. Anyone looking for a school for their child should consider Playa del Rey Elementary - it is a gem.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2021

This school's commitment to excellence is above and beyond the best out there. It all starts at the top with the incredible principal, Ms Blue. She and her exceptional staff are so dedicated to each and every student. Their stellar curriculum includes a wonderful music program, beginning with the youngest PK class, a missing component at so many other schools.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2020

10 out of 10!!!! Best faculty and best teachers!!!
Submitted by student on May 21, 2019

I love being a student at this school. My lovely teachers are so dedicated and compassionate towards our success in middle school, and life! I always feel safe on campus, and it's super easy to make a lasting best friend. Everyone will accept you for who you are, and the amazing staff, principal, and teachers really prepare us and help us learn through effective techniques. I am culminating from this outstanding school in a few weeks, and it is an absolute miracle. If you're considering, please, please come. We'd love to have you! I love Playa!
Submitted by other on October 29, 2018

This is a wonderful place to begin your child’s foundation for a lifetime of learning! Not only in the academic sense, but as a complete human being. My children look forward to every day at Playa Del Rey Elementary. The environment here has allowed my children to flourish in all areas. Kudos to the teachers, administrators, and fellow parents....... it takes a village and I’m grateful to mine here at Playa!
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2018

Amazing small school experience. Love the teachers and the Principal- all work well together and the best part is that they listen to parent/student needs.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2017

I love it. It is a great school.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2015

Very competent and knowledgeable teachers, who love teaching! My daughter has been attending PDR for the past 5 years and we have had wonderful experience with the teachers, support staff, and Ms. Blue.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2013

My daughter is currently in kindergarten at PDR, and we couldn't be happier. This is a small neighborhood school and there is a great community feel, with lots of participation by parents and families. The principal is everything an elementary school principal should be (skilled, diplomatic, patient, caring), and the teachers are not only dedicated, but also some of the most skilled professionals I have met (and I'm a former teacher). PDR is very diverse both culturally and socio-economically, and everyone sees this as the asset that it is. I really can't say enough; I'm so glad that we moved into the neighborhood.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2013

My son is a 5th grader at PDR and we love it! Ms. Blue is an awesome principal. She's loving yet stern. The teachers are great and it's obvious that they love what they do.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2012

My child attended their pre-K program and I liked it so much that I sent my child here for elementary. All the teachers seem to be good, some are excellent. The principal is hands on and being such a small school, it fosters a true school community.