Vistamar School

737 Hawaii Street

El Segundo, CA 90245

33 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 30, 2024

As a parent of a new student, I was extremely disappointed with our experience at this school. From the start, there was no sense of inclusivity, and my child struggled to feel welcomed. The school provided little support in helping students adapt, especially when it came to adjusting to new teaching styles.For the high tuition fees they charge, the quality of education is far below expectations. The teaching and administrative staff lack experience, and there’s a noticeable gap in the level of care and attention students receive. Despite the premium pricing, the school fails to deliver on the basics of student support and academic guidance.I would not recommend this school, especially to families looking for a supportive and inclusive environment.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2023

RUN, don't walk away from Vistamar School! If your student has the opportunity to attend another school, take it! Don't believe what they advertise. Awful experience. The teachers and administration don't care about struggling students who just came through a traumatizing pandemic. MANY staff members are awful human beings. However, if you are an affluent white family you might do fine.Only giving one star because choosing ZERO is not an option.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2023

Great school with a vibrant and welcoming community. Love that lunch is provided every day for all students! Strong academics in a supportive environment- not overly competitive.
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2022

Awful experience. Teachers don't care about struggling students. Assistant head of directors is rude and an awful human being. Bullying is definitely ignored.
Submitted by parent on December 27, 2020

I have two daughters, one who chose to attend Vistamar School. It was the best decision we made for her. (My other daughter attended a different high school that was the perfect fit for her.) Vistamar is a unique and special school. Its most important characteristic is their intentionality. They have carefully thought through each part of a high school and made intentional choices to build a different and excellent small high school that allows each child to bring their individuality to school every day. The intentionality comes up in all sorts of ways -- why they offer Spanish and Chinese in their language program and require students to pass an oral proficiency language exam in order to graduate, why they have a no cut policy in their sports program but still attract DI athletes, why they have a health and wellness program to provide students with strong lifelong positive habits. As for extracurricular activities, this small school has a number of great opportunities for students. On their sports program, you are not going to have Friday Night Lights football. But what I appreciate about their program is that students are encouraged to try new activities. They have a “no cut” policy when it comes to sports. Their program is built to inspire students to build good, long-term, healthy lifestyle habits and find opportunities to go outside their comfort zone, as well as make new friends. On college prep, the school has built a system that prepares students to be successful in college, while not making the students feel pressurized by the college application process. The school does not want to have students focus their entire high school time on getting into college. The counseling team works closely with each student to ensure that they get into the college that is the best fit for them. As someone who has worked in education for most of my career and as someone who has seen the joy in my daughter’s eyes when she talks about her school, I highly recommend this excellent and innovative high school.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2020

This school is an amazing place. We have loved it since my older daughter joined in 2018. We have two children at the school now and even though it's distance learning, the kids are engaged, supported and are learning!
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2020

The school is very collaborative with a “no spectators” approach that teaches the students how to listen and respect different viewpoints and opinions – an approach to civil discourse that is so needed in our world today. Such a hidden gem of a school here in Los Angeles.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2020

We love this school. Both our girls went to this school. We couldn't have asked for a better experience - well-thought out curriculum, outstanding faculty, engaged students, supportive community. It is a place where the kids actually enjoy learning and the high school experience and not just treat it as a pathway to college.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2019

Vistamar has exceeded our expectations. The academics are challenging in a way that makes our son want to learn. He feels valued in the classroom and has no issue talking to teachers during class or office hours. This was not his experience at his last school. Vistamar has turned our son into the scholar that he never knew he was.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2019

Our daughter is a junior at Vistamar, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. The school is excellent academically, which is one of the most important things we were looking for in a school. But it's so much more. Our daughter has thrived at Vistamar, taking leadership positions in various clubs and organizations, getting involved in the theater program, and joining two of the athletic teams. I chalk it up to the environment that Vistamar has so carefully created, one where students are supported and encouraged to take risks and try new things. We've seen her discover areas of passion that she may never have discovered had she not attended the school. As parents, it gives us confidence that she'll not only be very well prepared to go to a great college, but prepared for life.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2019

It's hard to put into words how just how wonderful I find Vistamar to be. It's unlike any other school out there. Academic stimulation, unparalleled faculty, and a fostering environment.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2018

Love love love Vistamar! It has been a great experience for my daughter! I get chills when I attend the meetings and tears in my eyes when I am there and see how happy all the kids are!
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2018

My son made great relationships with his peers and with his teachers at Vistamar. It's truly a unique community that celebrates each student's strengths.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2018

My child has been going to Vistamar since 10th grade. There is a truly positive feeling everywhere in this school. My child feels very supported and is actually in shock that he likes his teachers so much, and that he can talk to them. There is a fantastic connection between the teachers and the students. The theater and art programs especially have been so wonderful. The staff are incredibly approachable and they really care. I get emails from them with updates and I am always amazed that they are still working! The other thing I love about this school is that there doesn't seem to be cliques of students as much as other schools. You can float between groups and the students generally seem very welcoming. Sophmores chat with Seniors, there is not a huge divide. We feel so supported overall, so glad we chose Vistamar. (and I never write reviews, just felt I need to give something back to this school as they give us so much!)
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2018

I am thoroughly impressed with this school. So happy to have discovered Vistamar. Teachers know your child and the parents. There is a degree of engagement that I have never seen at a school. Academics are challenging, without being crazy. Students are encouraged to find their passion and not be afraid.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2017

Coming from an exceptional school district, we, as parents, truly debated the worthiness of a private high school. As soon as our daughter started at Vistamar, we knew right away that we had made the right decision. Vistamar offers kids an opportunity to be themselves, in every aspect. The teaching is designed to help kids learn in their own way, develop critical thinking and explore academia. The culture creates a safe-haven for kids to explore different clubs, sports, extra curricular activities and helps them find new passions. Vistamar has prepared our daughter to have a successful college career; we owe it all to Vistamar.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2017

Our oldest daughter graduated from Vistamar and is currently a sophomore at UC Berkeley. My youngest is still attending Vistamar. Vistamar has done a great job of preparing them for college and for life. I love the diverse community, as evidenced by the variety of kids regularly in my house, the education, and the ability to try a variety of sports and activities at all levels.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2017

We have two children who attend Vistamar and the school has exceeded our expectations in multiple ways. Our children are learning to delve deep into subjects and come home discussing debates, discussions and projects they have done in class. They have close relationships with the most fantastic teachers and counselors we have ever experienced. Besides learning to think critically and develop relationships with teachers, they are learning to be inclusive and informed humans amid the most diverse student body. They are getting an education that will set them up to be successful in college and the real world. A bonus - they are having fun at the same time by playing sports and getting involved in all sorts of activities they would never have had time for at another school. Teachers and faculty encourage everyone to be active and structure homework, tests and projects appropriately around events. We have truly loved our experience at Vistamar..
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2017

I would rate Vistamar as the best high school in the South Bay area. My 2 children have consistently received effective teaching of challenging academics in a safe, supportive school environment. Small class sizes are a plus. Arts and sports are available to all students. Additional creativity is encouraged through clubs.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2017

Vistamar has surpassed all of my (very high) expectations. I have a senior daughter and a junior son. They are different types of students and have each had extremely positive experiences there. Yes, the school is academically rigorous, but the level of support provided by faculty and staff is truly exceptional. As part of my job, I work with students at various high schools throughout the South Bay and nationwide. I can honestly say that I count my blessings to have my kids at this absolute gem of a school. The three things that stand out most to me are: both kids have friends from all walks of life; the teachers bend over backwards to support the students academically, socially, and emotionally; there is freedom to "dabble," and encouraging new extracurricular pursuits. If this many kids are in love with what is in some ways a windowless box (!), you know they're doing something pretty special inside.