Crescenta Valley Adventist School

6245 Honolulu Avenue

La Crescenta, CA 91214

22 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by principal on May 11, 2016

I have been working at Crescenta Valley Adventist School for 16 years and what an amazing journey it has been! From the amazing students and families, to the awesome staff, and the beautiful campus God has provided, I have been extremely honored to be here. I can honestly say I would do it all again in a heartbeat! Over five-thousand families have been blessed by this school for 93 years!!! We want to live to be 100!!!We are still the best Christian school in Crescenta Valley. Students, families, and staff have come and gone throughout the years, but our culture still remains. We still begin our week with Chapel praising God through song and worship. Our parents still bless us with amazing Hot Lunches. Our Home and School association rocks, and we still have that family like atmosphere. Of course our teachers are amazing! Best of all, our students learn about God!!!As the years pass we continue to deliver a strong academic and spiritual foundation for His children. We recently re-branded the school, renovated our classrooms, purchased new textbooks, and made some eye-popping improvements to the grounds, including a security system! We still have music and band and joined a sports league including Basketball, Volleyball, and Football. We have added an Art Class and Cooking Class for after school. Through the years I have been here, we annually graduate out more students than we have brought into our kindergarten class. So we have reduced our size throughout the years but we are still who we are as a community and children of God.It is a misfortune that some people hang onto memories of people who have gone before, be it great , or not so great, and not give new people a chance to evolve. We appreciate families who help nurture and support this school with honest feedback and encouragement and be part of what creates this school, our families!We welcome new families to join our community here at Crescenta Valley Adventist school. We invite all who are looking for Christian education to come by and check us out! Look forward to meeting you and your family.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2015

It saddens me to give such a low rating to a once great school. Things do change and Crescents Valley Adventist School has unfortunately changed for the worse. The changes are very apparent with the number of principal’s the school has rotated through. CVAS is currently on its seventh principal in nine years. The School Board chair also was dismissed abruptly this year. There is only a single teacher that has stayed through all sever principals. If you ask the school they will tell you the problems started with the financial crisis and they have never been able to recover. Certainly the financial crisis did put a burden on the school, but the leadership was ill-equipped to recognize what made the school great in the first place and how to promote these qualities. Instead, what took place was a sad story of self-promotion at the expense of the school. The worst example of this was the promotion of Wendy Newmyer from day care lady to school principal. Wendy didn’t have the experience or qualifications to become the school principal and in retrospect her time at the school was the most devastating. Although Ms. Newmyer has been replaced, the damage done to the school still exists. Several good families left during this time and a very poor choice for teacher replacement was made with the hiring of Chanda Castaneda. I believe the spiritual examples of Ms. Newmyer and Ms. Cataneda are vacuous. I have no doubt there were forces fixated on destroying such a loving, happy, Christ centered school. I wish it were not true but at CVAS they succeeded.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2015

I’m afraid this school has been infiltrated. There is no longer a loving Christian presence like when Ned Brown was the Principal. This didn’t happen overnight and there is no one person or even a group that can be blamed entirely. I can say for sure though that the School Board took a huge risk hiring Wendy Newmeyer as the Principal and it didn’t pay off. Crescenta Valley Adventist School is nowhere near the school it used to be. I’ve read a few of the reviews on this site and you can see a stark difference of opinion of how the school is doing. I’ve actually recognized a few of the five star reviews and these came from teachers and board members. In my opinion these folks are not unbiased.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2015

Wendy came to me the other day and asked why my two boys were not coming back next year. I told her it was because the commute was to long but we've been making the same commute for five years. The truth is there are some things going on in the 7th/8th grade I don't like. All these strange LAB's going home and the kids are showing the stresses. So many of the long time families are already gone, we're going to a school with larger enrollment.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2015

I am beyond impressed with the recent turn around in this school. As someone who has been a part of this school family for 10 years, it is evident to me that the staff, the school board, and many of the families are working very hard to make this place a caring, Christian environment. From the increase in academic excellence to all of the after school programs created within the last 2 years, CVAS has really taken off! The sports program (just started within the last 2 years) coupled with the creation of our mascot (The Rams) made our school united and excited to be a part of something so fun! All of these improvements have made a big difference, but the most important change on the campus is the spiritual one. I see the junior high students leading in the school wide chapels as well as the staff joining the students every morning in school prayer. Where else can you go to pray and praise God in a safe and nurturing environment? I intend on being a part of CVAS for many more years and encourage everyone to check it out!
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2015

The principal asked that we get on this site and submit a review. I was a bit torn about doing this because I ve been quiet about my feelings this year with the changes happening. I don t like this new direction and the changes made by the consultant. Some of these changes include not letting the kids keep things in their desks. That doesn t make any sense to me. When I asked about that policy I was told it was to keep up appearances . I thought the focus should be on the students first. That policy was then reversed which made me question why it was implemented in the first place. There are several small but strange things like this that have taken place. The kids now are getting in trouble for leaving a pencil on a desk or a water bottle on a table. These things have really changed the outlook of the students and I see it in their faces. My daughter tells me she doesn t like school. We won t be returning.
Submitted by other on March 02, 2015

The 7th/8th grade teacher does not have experience teaching multi subjects. This lack of experience shows in her inability to explain some subjects. It is well known that she often asks Math questions from one of the 8th grade students because she doesn t understand the concept. Even with this mediocre education being provided, the School continually attempts to try and pretend this is some sort of college prep school.
Submitted by teacher on February 26, 2015

Crescenta Valley Adventist School is such an incredible school to work at. Since day one, I have felt very welcomed by the parents and staff, both old and new. All of the teachers and principal know every student on a first name basis; we are the true definition of a school family. Anytime a student or teacher needs help, there are always helpful hands available. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity of meeting each of our student s individual needs. Not only are we teaching the foundations of education, but God is incorporated in everything that we do in the classroom. This school has been around for a long time and I see this school continuing to prosper, all through the work of the Lord. May God continue to bless this amazing school family and the positive parents who continue to support our school each and everyday.
Submitted by teacher on February 25, 2015

Crescenta Valley Adventist School is a very special place to be a teacher where we work hard to teach the students spiritually, academically, and physically. We have a strong academic curriculum with individualized instruction, utilizing the benefits of combined classrooms where the younger grade hears their peer s instruction and can grasp the skill that they will be taught the following year. Not only do we advance a student if they show mastery, we can also assist a struggling student to receive the benefits of hearing a review when taught to the younger grade. Academics is vital, but a vibrant multicultural campus is extremely important to us as well. We have international students who come in to learn English through total immersion. This is a benefit to them and us: they learn to read, write and speak English and we get an opportunity to learn about their language and culture. Come take a look at our campus and you will see what the buzz is all about!
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2015

My family has a long history with CVAS and it used to be a great Christ loving environment to bring your children. Sadly, things do change. The school has some consistency problems. There have been six different Principals in the last eight years and there has been a 90% teacher turnover in that same time. It would appear the School Board has become desperate and the current principal was the day-care lady just a few years ago. The Principal, Wendy Newmyer, seems overwhelmed and ill-equipped to handle any concerns or problems. It saddens me but I no longer can recommend this school.
Submitted by teacher on February 21, 2015

CVAS is an amazing school! It focuses on the whole child-mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The faculty challenges the students in being critical and creative thinkers. Incorporating sports and encouraging healthy living is emphasized on campus. Because of the small classroom size, students as well as teachers, are allowed to connect and build meaningful relationships. Most importantly, God is intertwined within all aspects of CVAS. From the minute you walk onto the campus, you can feel that God's presence is there. CVAS is a wonderful school!
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2015

My child is in the K/1 class at CVAS, and we love it. They do have combined classrooms, but this has turned out to be a major plus. My child learns both K and 1st grade concepts, and there is less "division" between grades. We also love the small, family-oriented Christian atmosphere at this school. All the older kids play with the younger kids. The older students play games with and read books with my child in after school care, which we think is wonderful. The K/1 teacher, who is very kind and nurturing, tailors the homework based on each student's ability, which makes for a very individualized learning experience. We have been impressed with our child's academic progress. Also, the teachers of the other grades are so warm and friendly. They all say hello to my family, including my three-year old by name, at drop off and pick up. The principal and office manager are also fantastic - very enthusiastic and friendly. The staff here really care about the students.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2015

The school profile isn t accurate. There are only about 65 students currently enrolled in k-8, including about 10 foreign exchange students. Enrolment seems to be a big challenge for CVAS and there has been a recent migration away from here. A lot of changes have taken place in the last year and a half and unfortunately not for the best. All grades are now in combined classes and K-2 are in one classroom. With the graduation of the eighth grade class and several recent families leaving, I don t know how CVAS will be open next school year.
Submitted by other on June 09, 2014

I love this school. I was once a student here. I Remember that the teachers were always if great help. The school has a great christian environment. The best thing about this school is how close the students, parents, and teachers are. I would recommend this school to everyone I know.
Submitted by other on June 08, 2014

This is a great school with a great christian environment. All the teachers are great. All the families and students are close too.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2014

My kids love CVAS. My daughter started K in 2007, now she is in 6th. My son is in 4th.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2014

My daughter started at CVAS in 4th grade and graduated in 2010, My son started in pre School and is currently attending and will be graduating this year 2014. My wife and I as well as our kids are so greatfull to this school for helping us sculpt our kids future spiritually and academically , we are blessed to be part of the CVAS family
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2014

Fantastic school! Both our children started in this school since kindergarten, with one graduating this year from 8th grade. Not only do they receive excellent academic learning but they also receive the spiritual nurturing you would hope for them to receive outside of your home, to prepare them not just for higher learning but for life. Our children have been blessed through the years with dedicated administrators, staff and teachers who love The Lord and are passionate about giving of their best to each student and their families, as well. Academic excellence, leadership mentoring, sports and physical development, creative arts and music, and a wide range of extracurricular options, have given our children a well rounded foundation in their growth and development in becoming upstanding and outstanding. In addition, the close knit sense of community and camaraderie within the school and between families have given our children invaluable friendships that we know will last a lifetime.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2014

I can go back to when my first son now attending USC as a Sophomore first attended CVAS and later my second son currently attending 8th grade and I can't think of anything else but being blessed for that decision. The school is also our family and my sons have made relationships that they will take into adulthood. As a parent I have made many friends from the same families sending their children here. This is a transgeneratial school, I have met so many parents that they themselves attended this very beautiful campus as well as some of their parents themselves. Academically I can't say enough about the school, it has prepared my sons for the next step and they had the opportunity to work with great teachers, principals, parents, staff over the past 18 years for my family alone. My sons have had opportunities to learn from so many different cultures, to see places they would not have seen in other schools, thru educational fieldtrips, that have only open up their horizons and made them more aware of the world and all the beauty it has to offer. I believe CVAS has done that an more and we wish the school the best. Once my son graduates this year, we will never forget CVAS.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2014

CVAS has been a blessing for our family! It has been a great Christian environment for our children to grow up and learn in.