Cresthill Middle School

9195 CRESTHILL LANE

School District

Douglas County Re 1
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Douglas County Re 1 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 December 12, 2023

Many fights have happened at Cresthill, violence, racism, etc. Next, all the P.E. equipment is worn down and some of the Pickle Balls have inappropriate drawings. DO NOT GO HERE!!!!
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2023

Suspensions for kids with disabilities at Cresthill: 18%, State average: 10%With respect to student discipline, the administration is stuck in the 1970s. Our friend is near the top of the LAUSD and is appalled at what we tell him. It is frightening. I have shown Cresthill Admin current peer-reviewed literature that their methods are deeply flawed and outdated. If your mentally disabled kid fights back from being verbally sexually assaulted for weeks on-end? Suspension. If your kid does not consent to their backpack being checked? Looking for weapons? No, just a computer. Are other kids being subjected to the same bag checks? No. Suspension. There was no computer. The kid will not get credit for that. This is just two of the roughly 12 unreal situations we had to go through. We had to constantly tell our kid “you did not do anything wrong – you keep protecting yourself.” These frighteningly odd zero-tolerance policies are more-than-generously applied to students with disabilities (see above stat). Bottom line: the school puts kids with disabilities in situations that they know they cannot handle – time and time again – then punish the kid for “acting out,” when they are trying to protect themselves. Teachers: 3.5/5 Most of them are genuinely caring people who do want to see the kids do well. SPED staff: 4.5/5 Generally great people and very accommodating. My biggest concern is that I would like to see them stand up for the kids to the administration. I do not know what happens behind closed doors, but I saw zero of that first-hand. When problems came up, I had to fight for my kid and I was alone. Admin: 1/5 Our family has been berated by the Assistant Principal for showing love to our kid when, in their words, we were “supposed to be mad at them.” The principal is generally clueless at how to deal with kids of special needs. Not an insult - an observation. Disciplinarily, she treats them exactly like neuro-normal kids. I am scared to send my daughter there, for fear that if she fights back against sexual assault, she will also get in trouble.When our kid started at Cresthill, we were super-excited because the Principal was supposed to be the Douglas County champion of SPED. They left right before the school year started and these two years ended up being close to a disaster. Cresthill is *probably* fine for a neuro-normal kid, but I do not know. The “adults” in the room are not the best examples of proper behavior.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2021

Two of our children went through Cresthill. Excellent middle school.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2020

Amazing, lots of opportunities for kids to get involved
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2020

Amazing principal and teachers who obviously care about their students.
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2019

terrible. They rasing robots or military. If your child slightly different he would be bullied until you will take him out of this terrible place. Teachers are not flexible, don't like kids whatsoever, looks like they hate them and hate their job.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2019

I am very pleased with the individualized and caring attention my daughter receives at this school by her teachers and all staff. They try hard to value the kid as the unique individual they are and teach them to value others the same way. There are set backs, struggles, and difficult situations as the school staff does not control all variables, but this school tries hard to create space for kids to learn social and emotional skills and cares about the kids for who they are, amazing kids growing to be wonderful members of society. My kid has grown in resilience, confidence and love for learning at this school at a very difficult time in her life. There are other schools our family has experienced that unintentionally end up teaching kids that they are valued for the academic scores they provide their school and that in turn ends up unintentionally promoting bullying or lack of acceptance of oneself or others. I recommend this school to any kid and I recommend you get involved, get to know and work with the teachers and staff who will not only listen but take action to support your kid along the wonderful journey of growing up and support you on raising a wonderful and resilient kid.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2019

We love Cresthill! Challenging but accommodating right in our neighborhood!
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2018

My son is an 8th grader at Cresthill and has had a wonderful experience. Both with 7th and 8th grader. Loves his teachers!
Submitted by teacher on November 28, 2017

I worked as a student teacher at this school and was thoroughly impressed. They work hard to make their students not only academically success, but also to make sure that they are good people. The staff is incredible and love the kids. I would highly recommend sending your student to Cresthill.
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2016

My child currently attends Cresthill and I have loved all of the staff and Administration's dedication and teaching style with all of the children.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2016

This school restored my belief that people who go into teaching do it because they are passionate about being teachers. The teachers we have encountered were compassionate people who care about their students.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

The principal at this school is outstanding. He really understands the student at this age and how they are transitioning from elementary school to high school/young adults. The teachers are good and care about their students but they do struggle to challenge advanced learners. The only reason I did not give this school five stars is the counseling team. Over the course of the year I have reached out to the counseling team several different times and they are to busy to return phone calls or emails. This is unfortunate as these counselors are the link to the students and the fact that they are to busy to deal with real world issues students are facing is a disappointment.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2013

Great school. While academics are certainly important, and well attended to, what makes this school stand out is the principal's and staff's ability to understand the huge transition middle school students are enduring, not only acadmecally but as teenagers. They just get it. I really like, and highly recommend the New Beginnings program that is a 3 day orientation for 7th graders to get acquainted with the school. Are you going to encounter some cruddy, foul-mouthed students from time to time? Yes, that's life. Not all parents parent the same and you can't blame a school for that.
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2013

Was very dissappointed to come to this school. Had high expectations based on previous reviews but clearly not the case for us. Found some of the teachers to be unhelpful and with chips on their shoulders. Cafeteria and classroom full of vuglar, offensive and inappropriate language by students. Teachers always complaining about block scheduling and how overworked they are. Some teachers are completely burned out. One teacher keeps reinforcing with his class how much he dislikes them and uses the word "hate". Had an issue with my child's property that was vandalized and no follow throught by administration. Occassional drug issues.School always trying to reinforce that students need to advocate for themselves but when they do they get shut down and given sloppy excuses. They do not like parental involvement at all. And never send an email because they get very defensive and do not like to be questioned. Definitely not the right school for you if you are an active parent and care about your child's education.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2012

A great school! We are approaching the end of our first year at Cresthill and couldn't be happier. Our son has been challenged in his course work, and we have found the vast majority of his teachers to be responsive and engaged. The principal is fantastic and encourages independence in these young men and women while helping to provide a safe and secure environment in which to thrive. As an aside, the extra curricular activities are very well run and attended.