Henry K-8

3720 Canehill Avenue

School District

Long Beach Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:30
Type

public

School Map for Long Beach 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 student on April 23, 2024

Here at Henry has been a great experience and I learned so much Spanish it is a great school
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2023

Not a true dual immersion school. Majority of reviews are fake. A lot of the time the teachers speak English in the classes. Don't expect your child to be fluent going to this school. All a crock of.......
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2022

Newest Principal Vitetta is warm and communicative. Teachers we have had are all very structured, compassionate, and professional. The dual-immersion campus community is very welcoming as long as you are supportive of the school and its pursuit of academic excellence with a diverse world view. Our daughter has done well here and we are entering the last year (5th grade). Happy to say she had a great 4th grade teacher who supported her and now she’s tested into GATE. ¡Vamos Patriotas!
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2020

My child's experience at this school was very stressful. She is English speaking only, and she didn't get the one on one time enough with the teacher to assist her in learning the spanish entry words/lessons. Being that each class is 30:1, I can imagine how hard it can be for, not just the teacher, but my child to get any assistance in understanding what is being asked of the students. Especially when its all Spanish speaking. The teacher was also a big problem to communicate with or get any information from. She always seemed upset, bothered, frustrated and it was hard to talk to her about my child. The parent teacher conferences weren't productive at all. I was told what my daughter was missing in learning, but was never given the material or information beforehand to work with her at home so she could be up to speed. Very unorganized and no communication at all! Our teacher was also absent A LOT, especially during the beginning of the school year, which is the most important time for a new student coming into a new school. It was also confusing for my daughter having different teachers, and some spoke English to them all day! That really threw my daughter for a loop. Another issue was the fitathon at this school, where the school received an extraordinary amount of donations, and the students were promised a new playground, shade covering and new benches. However, I have just found that will not be happening. The school has decided to take this money away from the students and invest it in a part time counselor due to COVID-19. This in my opinion is unacceptable! These kids were looking forward to new playground equipment, shade to keep them from the hot sun during the summer months back in school, and more seating area! Due to the horrible first year experience at this school, we have pulled our daughter out. We highly encourage parents to do their homework before letting their child attend this school. We had really high hopes, and are extremely disappointed by how this school handles teachings, bullying, and parents.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2019

Awesome!! The dual lang is first class! Teachers are awesome, expect respect, honesty, solid core values. We are not a spanish speaking household. Both my kids are now almost fluent in both speaking and writing. 2nd and 4th grade. They are also strong in math which is amazing.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2019

We are happy with our K-5 experience at Patrick Henry. Our children are bilingual, biliterate, and thriving. They have made what looks to be friends that they will have for life. They enjoy participating in ballet folklorico and other school activities. We have enjoyed the camaraderie with other parents (Henry gala, etc.) Is the school perfect? No, but which school is? We found that there are times where we need to support the learning in the classroom (example: looking up the new math strategies and reinforcing them with our children) or that we need to be proactive and contact teachers with questions (instead of waiting for them toprovide information).
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2018

Our new Principal ha amass the environment sterile and unwelcoming. Activities have been drastically taken off the calendar. PTA surveys are ignored. So sad.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2018

We have been at Henry for many years and have loved it! Always felt like Henry was a big family! Unforutnley there have been changes with the administration at the school and it has been sad and to see the change it has made at our school! Definitely not a family feeling any longer. Principals should solve problems not create them! Teachers at this school are amazing!!!
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2018

It started out roses and a sense of community, but the last year has been all down hill. Great principles/leaders make a school great and this school doesn't have that.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2018

So grateful to be a part of this school!
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2017

Henry is a great school that provides a unique opportunity for children to become bi-lingual and bi-literate. It is a great opportunity for these children and we feel very lucky to have our children go through such an amazing program. There are so many after school activities to choose from and the PTA and Foundation do an amazing job at hosting events that build community. If you are not interested in your child becoming bi-lingual and putting in the work it takes to support their learning, choose another local school.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2017

Henry provide a high quality education, this school has to many activities during the year, Patrick Henry is like a big family, We're very happy with this school, Teachers are very dedicated.... Fantastic school
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2017

Mr. komatz ignores complaints and bullies people. The administration does nothing to develop students character. As far as learning differences go some teachers have no clue how to support students and the administration just covers up this and tries to push the students to leave the school. Even when teachers are given advice by parents about how to support learning differences, they do not try them because it means extra effort. There is a big problem with bullying and the counselor finds it better to punish the one being bullied, so the complaints stop. Most of the employees seem as they want to do the least amount of work as possible. If you are considering this school ask how teachers are evaluate and you will find that they are not because the administration does not speak Spanish.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2017

Our experience with this school is totally unacceptable. Henry is a public school but operates like a private school. There is NO open door policy to visit your child(s) class if you want to. I strongly disagree with the way the way that the Spanish curriculum is taught here at Henry. If your child doesn't begin here at Henry in kindergarten then they could totally get lost and possibly be held back. This school doesn't offer any help (unless you pay for it) to help the child advance in Spanish curriculum.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2017

I am so pleased with the way teachers, the principal, and counselor put kids first at this school. They provide a high quality education in all subjects, are very organized and hard-working, but still have so much fun. They truly go above and beyond, whether your child needs extra help or needs to be accelerated. No one leaves early, great work ethic here (great example for my kids) and parents are always on campus helping without taking over. I have been impressed by the staff and teacher dedication and professionalism. I love that my older child is now fluent in multiple languages, and is learning how to be part of many different groups. This school has helped him to feel comfortable with who he is, even though he is different from many of the other kids there, and he has also learned to admire and appreciate those differences. With the exception of one sometimes well intentioned, but incredibly xenophobic, racist, and judgemental 2nd grade teacher (be real folks--only one! sadly other schools have many teachers like this if your child is different from their expectation of normal), we have LOVED this school. That year provided an unfortunately difficult growing experience for my child that he would have faced at some point. His previous and later teachers have helped him use that experience to make him stronger and able to cope with people like this who are out there. I cannot recommend Henry enough. Plus how cool that now he can speak, read, and write in both Spanish and English.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

After having 2 of my children complete the program K-8 and one almost done I can truly verify that this is one of the best programs in the district. Both of my children ended up in the PACE program at Poly High School which is THE best academic program in the district and my third one will most likely end up there. When you enroll your child in this program you have to trust when the teachers tell you that the English will be just as strong as the Spanish. This is a 90/10 model which means that Spanish will be the strong language at first and it will eventually be 50/50. If you wish to enroll your child at this school or any other Dual Language program I suggest you do your research as this program is not for everyone. Many parents enroll their children in this school because it is a "cool thing to learn Spanish" but they don't realize that it is quite a commitment. I do not regret my decision in enrolling my children in this school. The teachers are very caring, dedicated and hard working.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2014

God, where do I begin. I have had nothing but problems with the Kindergarten teacher here. My child was late just two days in the first two months and I got an earful about tardiness. When I calmly explained the situation to the teacher, my CHILD was the one who bore the brunt of the criticism, not me. This is absurd. You do not make a kid feel like !@#$% for an error of the parent. Then, to make matters worse, I have been berated for not being sufficiently enthusiastic about the dual language routine they have going there. I am 100% in favor of it, in fact. But, it is definitely true that Henry neglects English and other core subjects in the name of language immersion. I am extremely concerned that my child does not appear to be meeting the state requirements for math and science. When I raised this concern to an administrator, I was brushed off. If you are looking for a great core subjects school, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. But hey, if you just want your kid to speak Spanish, then by all means Henry is your place.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

Fantastic school! I wrote a review a few years back about whether to enroll my son at Cubberly or to enroll him at Patrick Henry. Well, I am glad I made the right choice. This school is pretty amazing. My son is writing, reading, singing, doing math in both languages now (Spanish and English). The parent participation is really great. Lots of very hard-working committed parents. I am a working mom, but I find ways to volunteer as needed from home. If you were wondering about this school, wonder no more. It is exactly what they say out there: Awesome School. There seems to be a good working relation between principal and teachers, teachers care for their students, well supervised, phenomenal after school program (free, not income based!) - your son or daughter will be speaking two languages in no time!
Submitted by other on August 28, 2013

Patrick Henry is like a big family The teachers are very nice and pay attention to the students , the school has a very family feel to it, the old principle was very sweet i'm not to sure about this new one he needs to socialize with the parents and students more .One thing this school is better for your child if you want them in the dual immersion program. The playground staff are very sweet and funny and your child will love them.
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2013

Great Parent Involvement, Dedicated Teachers, Many Extra Curricular Activities, and a Solid Dual Language Program!! The only negative is the office staff. Very rude and unhelpful. They are a bad representation of a wonderful school.