Paradise Canyon Elementary School

471 Knight Way

School District

La Canada Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for La Canada 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 August 16, 2024

Two of my children have attended the school and except for one teacher, they've had a terrible experience. The teachers are stuck in a 1950s and 60s authoritarian style of teaching and classroom management. And you can be assured that if the teacher doesn't like you as a parent, your child will suffer for it. The lesson plans dont change to adapt to students they have in their class, they just recycle the same thing, over and over. The school can boast all it likes about having a great academic record but that's because of the parents who take the time to instruct their children at home and hire tutors. Not because the teachers are world class but because us here in La Cañada have the money to make up for the teachers deficits. Both of my children were consistently targeted by two teachers in particular during their time there for things none of the other kids were called out for. And mentioning any of this to the administration will get you nowhere. Nothing will come of it and everything will be glossed over by saying all the right words and never doing any of it. I watched the joy for school leave both of my children and it wasn't until they got old enough to move onto LCHS that they found it again. Both my kids experienced relentless bullying and truly nothing was done about that either. The school is neither welcoming nor inclusive of different races, ethnicities or family types and has consistently proven to be a hostile environment to anyone who is different.The passive aggressive behavior and gaslighting from the administrative staff is exhausting. The smiles and positivity are all for show. And that's just the staff, the parents are just as bad. Many of the them haven't been informed that they aren't in highschool anymore. The favoritism, gossip and under handed rudeness is rampant. It's like all the popular girls from highschool married rich men and are trying to live our their glory days again through their children.Aside from that, the facilities and services are lack luster at best. One of my kids found maggots in one of the classrooms and both of them would refuse to use the restrooms on campus because of how gross they are. If this is your neighborhood school, ask to change it. If your family or your child is in anyway different from the norm of LC...run. Don't make your kid go through having to be there. The easy commute isn't worth your peace and your child's experience.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2024

PCY is an incredible school - not sure about some of the reviews on here, seem like squeaky wheels bringing the ratings down. All the parents I talk with love this school as much as I do. We have two kids there and they are loving it. the teachers have been fantastic (with one exception) and the facilities are amazing. We feel incredibly fortunate to send our kids there and appreciate the friendships they’ve made and the community in and around the school that supports them. PCY rocks!
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2024

I’ve had two children go through this school with similar experiences. Neither had any standout years to look back on. While a few of the teachers are better and more experienced than others, there is a lack of creativity and seems many just tow the line. Projects and assignments are exactly the same despite our children attending the school many years apart. Parents and many teachers seem to be focused primarily on social relationships within the community above all else which leads to a toxic environment. Out of the three public elementary schools here, this one has the reputation for having the most drama among kids and parents. Palm Crest has a much better reputation. A large overhaul is needed in this district to bring in new teachers that can think beyond the box and spark joy in learning as this has been absent when speaking with other parents. There are however many opportunities for families to get involved especially in the earlier grades, but that can also be a huge negative. Having the same certain parents takeover leads to a lot of favoritism among the teachers which is painfully apparent for all to see. Covid was a blessing and a curse in that it was a much needed break and reset from the nuances of the school, but it was also clear that other districts were way ahead in regards to instruction, even during that unprecedented event.
Submitted by other on June 24, 2023

The survey showed that nearly 19.7% of people thought Los Angeles had the rudest residents. One example supporting this claim was from Paradise Canyon Elementary School. Here, parents were so rude that crossing guards quit, and PTA members refused to work the car line. The school's principal, Carrie Hetzel, told the LA Times, "We can't even keep crossing guards at our school anymore. They quit because parents are so rude and yell at them every day."
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2023

We have had 2 children attend Paradise Canyon Elementary and they both had different experiences. My older child had a mediocre experience and often felt like many of the teachers, especially in the upper grades, did not care and yelled a lot. My younger child, who is in special education, has been bullied by students and teachers and did not feel supported at this school. Most teachers have been there for a long time and are unwilling to change their approach with students or support the needs of all students. Teachers are not held accountable for their actions and are often protected by the principal despite poor treatment and blatant disregard for students needs. This school also shows a lack of progress in social-emotion development and support for their students and has clearly shown that their main priority is test scores and attendance so that they can receive their awards. If you have a child that does not fit the mold of the "normal student", this is not the place for them. On the positive side, there are a couple of bright, shining stars that go out of their way to make learning fun and exciting and, for them, we have been extremely grateful. It also seems that there are attempts to improve special education, but it has a long way to go. There are a few family events that are enjoyable and worth attending. If we were able to do it all over again, we would choose one of the other two elementary schools or not be in this district at all. Between the way students are treated, the expectation of thousands of dollars in donations every year, the expectation of hiring tutors to help your child with their deficits when they are falling behind... I'd spend my time, money, and energy on an elementary school elsewhere.
Submitted by other on March 06, 2022

This school is amazing and I have many great experiences here. The teachers are great and they have a great program to help students who fall behind with nice and helpful teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2021

My daughter attended Paradise Canyon Elementary from Kinder through 6th grade (she just graduated!). We absolutely loved everything about it. It seemed like the teachers thoughtfully paired students with the teacher that best suited their needs and personalities each year. That level of thoughtfulness and attention also describes our experience at PCY generally. Administration and staff are superb. This is truly a top down expectation. The principal and office staff are wonderful. The teachers are skilled, patient, creative, and kind. The entire district puts students and families first, and all decisions are made with them in mind. It is truly a partnership between the community and the schools. PTA is strong and provides valuable programs, events, and activities designed to enrich in-class instruction. PTA works hard to ensure that there is something for everyone, and there really is! We had a wonderful 7 years and recommend PCY highly to others.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2020

I had been so positive about La Cañada schools until our special needs student started school. There were far too few teachers who actually cared about their students.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2013

Love this school! My daughter never went to preschool and by the first 6 weeks of 1st grade she was already reading Dr. Seuss books! Small class sizes, caring, loving and involved teachers. Cannot say enough about this school!