Calvary Christian School

701 PALISADES DR

Los Angeles, CA 90272

25 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 01, 2022

Our child is currently in K after being in TK last year. Through all of the trials and tribulations of the last two COVID impacted years the school has been amazing about prioritizing the kids and making sure that their learning during these early formative years is impacted as little as possible.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2019

We love this school. We see positive things in our kids, from their academic development, to the room for them to express themselves artistically, in sports, and how they are challenged to try new things
Submitted by student on May 27, 2019

awful, too much pressure and just learning not enough breaks
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2019

We couldn't be happier with the experience we have had at Calvary for the past six years. Simply put, I feel like our children are cherished and valued as developing individuals at this school. They are thriving academically, socially and creatively. What caught our eye about Calvary initially was the gorgeous campus- children spend so much time at school and we are so fortunate that they do so in such a beautiful, natural environment. What made us apply to Calvary was what we saw when we spent some time there. The children are extraordinarily happy and kind to one another in a way that really allows them to live out their childhood to the fullest. There are so many positive role models at this school, it's indescribable. The leadership is amazing and the teaching staff is highly skilled at creating an environment conducive to a variety of learning styles. Our family doesn't practice any particular religion but we have been made to feel so welcome to participate (or not participate) and the religious education that our children have received thus far has helped them develop an impressive degree of thoughtfulness, empathy and compassion. The music and performing arts programs are incredible- I actually go to school plays that my children aren't even in- the production quality is that good. The physical education component is very inclusive and creative. Everyone and everything is so personal and thoughtful. I've lived in Los Angeles for my entire life and this is the first time I've really felt like part of a community.
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2018

This school offers amazing education, sports, faith, and support. The staff i every kind and truly cares for each student. Such a gem in the Palisades and very well rounded.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2018

Excellent teachers and oversight and wonderful community
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2017

Excellent. Kind, flexible teachers and staff - and entire community - who care about development of the whole child.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2016

We LOVE this school! I have a preschooler & elementary aged child & they are both happy and thriving. The preschool is so beautiful! It reminds me of a Waldorf school with the wood playground, raised garden beds & full outdoor classroom. Both of my kids are learning so much everyday, it amazes me. The opportunities here are endless from learning a language, instrument, choir etc. The most important thing to us as parents besides preparing our children, is instilling in them to be good, polite human beings, loving others & having respect. I see those qualities in my children & I credit the school for much of it.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2015

This is truly a special place for children and families.Thinking about the love, care and support we have received, and seen others receive, makes me quite emotional. More importantly, we have seen this love, care and support play out anywhere from grave situations (eg, death or serious illness) to small, every day struggles (eg, a child or family going through a tough patch at home or at scool).Every change we have seen in the administration over the last few years has been extremely positive. The Head of School, Mr. Downey, has boundless energy (I've heard him referred to as the Energizer Bunny!), and the kids, teachers and parents are all better off today (at least as it relates to Calvary) than they day he started. The examples to support this abound, but for starters they include even stronger programs in the classroom, greatly improved athletics (in terms of both participation and results), decrease in turnover of faculty, and improvements in teacher statisfaction and compensation packages (our family and several other close family friends have heard this from teachers across grade levels).Lastly, one of the most impactful changes has been the hiring of Ms. Clark as the new Director of Admissions. Ms. Clark has a strong faith and a very welcoming personality. In addition, we have seen her be quite effective at establishing relationships with new families and repairing relationships with families who had been alienated and/or driven away by the underwhelming performance of the prior Director of Admissions. The improvement in the quality of academically qualified students and the quantity of families with strong faiths has been noticed by our family and many others, and we have every reason to believe this teen to continue.In conclusion, if you are looking for a loving and caring school environment that is faith-based and has strong academics, Calvary Christian School should me at the top of your list.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2015

Calvary Christian School is the best decision we could have made for our three children. The level of individual interest and care our children receive every day far exceeds what we know as the norm. Our CCS teachers are incredibly generous of their time with our students as well as with us, and they make each of our children feel like they are the reason they come to school excited to teach every day. As a result, our children have become active and engaged learners, and they love to participate in every aspect of the Calvary environment from performing and fine arts and P.E. to elementary lab science and language arts. The Calvary environment is incredibly nurturing and, at the same time, appropriately challenging. Our three kids will leave Calvary with a heart for service and a true love for learning. We couldn't ask for more out of our elementary school experience.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2014

We had many unfortunate issues at this school. I do think what shocked us as parents the most were the poor choices when it comes to admitting new families to a "christian community"... It's sadly more about the financially background of the new families - not about their values and social manners. There is a little amount of love and help for your child when you do not belong the 1% . This school changed so much to the worse in our eyes since Mr.Wong ( director of admission) left Calvary-who was truly a beautiful soul with real and honest interest in your child's needs and well being. The two stars are for the beautiful school setting and some outstanding teacher at Calvary like Ms Cooper ( art teacher )
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2014

Calvary Christian is such a special place. Our son attended the preschool before we had to move away from Los Angeles, and his experience was top-notch. My husband and I were so impressed with all the activities he participated in each week - from science projects to cooking to gardening to petting real live reptiles! We could not have hoped to find a better school for our son. The staff, the teachers, the parents, and the head of school were always so welcoming and warm and genuinely wanted each student to succeed. They really took the time to know each student and always made our son feel loved and cared for. This school will always hold a special place in our hearts. Seeing our son come home happy every day, and knowing he wasn't just learning academic basics, but also learning how to be a kind and compassionate young person - it was truly such a gift!
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2014

Our son attended Calvary Christian for one year of preschool, this past school year. Had my job not moved us across the country, we would have been with Calvary for many more. To say we were impressed would be a huge understatement. We and most importantly, our son, loved every second we were there. The faculty showed tremendous caring and patience with every child. As a parent of two young children, I marveled at that alone. Each day had creative lesson plans, educational play activities, and just the right level of oversight for preschool. Both faculty and administration worked hard to get and keep parents engaged with the community. The Dads and Donuts day in particular is something I will cherish forever. As a parent, you want your children to be cared for as much as you do yourself. Calvary definitely did that for our son. Every single time I was on campus, teachers I had never met and even the head of the school would address my son by name and know about him. My wife and I hurt at the thought of not being there at the start of this school year. I could not recommend Calvary more to a parent looking for a safe, nurturing environment, to start their child's education.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2014

After pulling our son out of a very expensive westside 'progressive' school, I didn't know how he'd cope at a more traditional environment. Well thank goodness we settled on Calvary!! Wonderful school all around. My son is learning so much more than he was at his previous school. Sadly when he entered calvary he was almost an entire grade behind due to the 'project based learning' he was doing. Had I known that teaching style was so bad I'd've saved us the money & trouble! Needless to say the amazing education, morals and manners make us very proud to be a part of this community.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2013

This school has quickly become one of the best schools in the Palisades. The new principal has brought with him a new energy. The staff genuinely cares about the students and each other. The parents continue to impress us with their warmth and selfless involvement with their children, the school and the Calvary community as a whole. Lastly, Calvary has recently been sending children on to the best schools. It seems that ex-missions has become a real focus. The school is perfect!
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2012

From the day that my daughter first stepped onto the Calvary campus (3 years ago) to today I have been astonished at the caliber of Calvary. At a time when budget cuts are causing music and arts programs to be cut and class sizes to drastically increase Calvary remains committed to a 10 - 1 ratio!!! They have expanded their technology programs, music programs (including choir, orchestra, and band) as well as created a fantastic and expressive art room. In addition to all of this they are committed to excellence in every area from community service to spiritual training to the INCREDIBLE academic environment. I know have a preschooler a child in mommy and me and a first grader and at each stage in the process I am overwhelmed by the excellence with which this school is run. Here's to MANY more fantastic years of learning, creativity, and challenge at Calvary.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2012

Calvary has been an excellent experience for our family. We carefully chose it after considering other top-tier private elementary schools in West LA. It has superior academics, a nurturing environment, an incredible arts program and many wonderful families. The new head of school has knocked our socks off and will surely make it an even better school than it is already.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2012

Calvary Christian School has been a fabulous experience for my child and our family. The Academic Excellence and Christian Values ring true throughout this gorgeous campus. The teachers are wonderful and definitely prepare the students for middle school. My child feels loved, supported and encouraged. I can't recommend this school enough~ The staff and administration are top notch. This has been the best experience.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2012

After looking at all of the choices for preschool and grade school in West LA, we decided on Calvary and have been extremely happy with the decision. We have one in kindergarten and one in preschool, and the entire school experience has been very positive for our boys, us as parents, and our family as a whole. We love the focus on building character, and the results are readily apparent in all of kids we have met who are in the older grades and in middle school. In addition, we have had the opportunity to several alums of Calvary (through personal connections and not referred to us by the school), and across the board they all say the received a great education in a wonderful values based environment. To top it off, the new Head of School is an extremely talented and high energy man who comes from a great school in Palm Desert. His leadership an style is already showing through in the school, and we are excited about his ability to make a great school even better.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2012

This school may now have a chance to be what it once was now that the principal, and the wealthy family that vetted and supported her, have left. Over the last ten years this school was taken over by a virus in the form of it's principal and her supporters who ran the school solely for their own purposes and left many wonderful children in the dust while those in the inner circle got straight A's and matriculated to the finest high schools. Let's hope the new administration can restore a degree of quality and fairness.