Gardner Street Elementary School

7450 Hawthorn Avenue

School District

Los Angeles Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Los Angeles 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 30, 2022

Principal and staff are ignorant. My child learned nothing
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2022

Amazing school! My son went to Gardner street school from pre-K to 5th grade and was the best; great teachers, very involved and committed. Great sense of community.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2020

My husband and I assumed that we will have to go Private for our son's Elementary education, because of the urban myth of "there are no good public schools in Hollywood". As we were touring all the private schools in the area, we decided to stop by the Open House at our zoned public school, Gardner - just to see for ourselves how much worse it would be. We were shocked to find that we loved everything about Gardner! The way it looks and feels (happy! Filled with art, music and laughter), and mostly its progressive mindset. We were so shaken up that we went back two more times to confirm that our initial impression was not skewed in some way... Our son is now a thriving 2nd grader at Gardner, and we truly do love this school.Gardner Street Elementary is a neighborhood gem with an engaged principal, excellent teachers and helpful staff, and a small but very active parent body that makes things happen. Many students live outside the school zone but they and their parents like Gardner so much that they've chosen to permit in.What makes Gardner so special are its diverse staff and students, family-like atmosphere, and the many "extras". Thanks to annual fundraisers coupled with lots of fun events for kids and families throughout the school year, "non-essential" classes that are not paid for by LAUSD and not offered in many public schools - such as Visual Art, Music, PE, Yoga, Organic Edible Garden, and (new!) Science Lab - are part of the everyday curriculum and available to every child at Gardner. There are many really great afterschool programs to choose from, and occasional workshops for parents/caregivers. Campus beautification is ongoing.Besides all the fun, there is serious learning going on as well. Learning to truly *understand* and not just memorize to ace tests. So much learning goes on at school that - as supported by countless studies and best-performing schools in Finland - there are no homework requirements for the younger kids.Most importantly, my child has developed love for reading and learning, he is excited about going to school every day, and he feels safe there.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2019

We just love Gardner and couldn't have had a better experience. The emphasis on strong values is just amazing and all the kids are so kind! We've found the teachers and admins to be really open to differently-abled kids and their needs. We feel very lucky to have found Gardner!
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2019

Originally, we were planning on going to private school then we checked out Gardner and it has turned out awesome.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2019

We chose to go to Gardner as a transfer family. When we walked in it felt different than other schools. It was clean, people were friendly and it felt HAPPY! There were happy children around everywhere. It was bright and colorful and pleasant to be in. We have had good teachers, met wonderful parents, and became very involved. The school has a great group of parents running the parent group that raises money all year for the programs that LAUSD doesn't provide. PE, Music, Art, Yoga and Edible Gardening are all only provided because the parents raise the money. And it's not a crazy amount. They aren't hounding you for money. It's usually through fun events like carnivals or dances. They encourage a monthly donation of as little as 5-10 dollars a month and it's totally doable and worth it for what the kids get in the end. Parents don't realize that other public schools don't offer those programs. But Gardner students are thriving thanks to them. We believe in public schools. And LAUSD has a pretty rough reputation, but this is one of those schools that's a diamond in the rough. It is diverse both racially and economically. It's has three main languages spoken among students. It has loving and respectful teachers and administration. Parents that are involved and creating an enriching environment for kids and helping to create a healthier education for them. It's a great size and very inclusive and we are THRILLED to be a part of it.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2019

I’m running from this school since we day one. Schools are what you make of it but no ..... unless you pay them for alllll the donations and your attending each bake sale they have an entitled , nasty , belittling attitude. There is no diversity at least with African American or mixed race . They will accent your child but they definitely have the attitude of go else where why are you here.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2018

We're v pleased. My wife and I have volunteered over 200 hours this year as "Breakfast Mom", "Art Studio" volunteer, fundraising program chair, field trip chaperones, etc; we've also donated/raised/sponsored $thousands for the school because of school leadership and the school's commitment to enrichment programs and philosophies regarding elementary education and child rearing.
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2017

Excellent. They are inclusive of all their students and take great effort and pride in enriching the childrens’ lives with visual and performance arts which is something that has been sadly stripped from many schools in this decade. I love how they include the parents and encourage participation. My kindergartener son is so happy going to school and comes home even happier day after day. He has grown in knowledge and confidence so much and we are only half way through the school year. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him at this school.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2017

I love Gardner and feel blessed to have had my daughter participate in such an incredible example of what a school can be.
Submitted by other on October 13, 2017

My son has been at this school since kindergarten and we love it! It is such an amazing school! The staff is the best and they really care about the well being of all their students. We will really miss it here next year!
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2017

Its a nice urban school - Pros: charming, great people, great events, quaint, very international mix of people -Cons: Lack of homeworklanguage barrier with most kids at least in our class...my child was one of the few English speakers, Staff made a lot of filling mistakes which was big hassle, I'm worried about safety - its an urban school with no wrap around the fence and the neighborhood does get a lot of transients...we had a few homeless...talking to the kids through the fence..which doesn't make me feel comfortable. Also, I don't feel comfortable with the Principal's approach with the mom's at the school...I steered clear as much as possible. He's very intense.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2017

My son started kindergarten at Gardner this school year and we are in love with the school. The school is always clean. The classrooms are beautiful and everything looks as good as possible. Mr. Rosner is a natural leader and offers a unique, refreshing and honest approach to running his school. The emphasis are art is outstanding.The culture is amazing. Lots of caring, involved parents that are not pushy about donating or volunteering like other schools can be. It's also about as diverse of a school as possible.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2017

We have a daughter in kindergarten this year and she absolutely LOVES her school. This is truly a student-centered school, where the children are given the gift of becoming life long learners. The reader's and writer's workshops are opportunities for children to progress at his or her own rate. My child started off the year almost reading, and now she is on level E (at grade level) and we still have two months left of school. She is also writing on her own. Due to Principal Rosner's openness and willingness to collaborate, many parents have been able to be involved in our school. Specifically in our class, parents have been able to volunteer in weekly art classes, lead nutrition lessons (a parent is a nutritionist and designed a workshop with fresh, healthy foods for kids that coincided with the letters of the alphabet they were learning), reading groups in class, chaperoning field trips etc. The high level of parent engagement makes this school very special. The art studio, physical education, and gardening programs are funded entirely by the parent group, Friends of Gardner. These programs enrich the curriculum, and are so beloved by the students. The open house and art show last week was a clear example of the success of the school. As a parent volunteer, I was able to witness the behind the scenes action of the flurry of art teachers and other volunteer parents working hard to display the well designed art installations before the bell hit 3:00. The principal worked alongside the parents, hanging art and maintaining his calm and upbeat demeanor even under the pressure of the clock. The event came together beautifully and I was so proud to be a member of the Gardner community. Students were so happy to have their families at school; the afternoon of student musicians, vibrant artwork, yummy fresh fruits from the garden, and an impressive classroom where student work was proudly displayed was a highlight of the year. I can't describe the amount of joy that goes on in this gem of a school! Bravo to Principal Rosner, Ms. Lolli, and all the teachers for making this school my child's home away from home.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2017

Am a second year parent and we're really happy here. From Principal Rosner all the way down to the support staff, it's a great and inclusive environment. The parents are really involved and it's only getting better. We're really happy as is our child!
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2017

Great school. My kid loves it. School's approach to learning is very unique and allows for students to develop critical thinking and take responsibility for their actions.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2017

Very pleased with how far mydaughter has come since August. Effective learning habits, loves school and her teachers.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2017

Great school! A very large % of russian speaking families attend this school which I love it most of all! I love the community and the active learning environment.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2017

I have a kindergartner at Gardner, in her second year, and she already identifies so strongly with the school. She's learning, she's happy, she feels a part of a great community. The ethnic diversity at the school is much richer than the charts and numbers would suggest. Of the 70% white population about 50% of that is Russian. The parents are deeply involved and the teachers and administration welcome our input and help. So far I have found the teachers to be amazing. The arts are very important, and totally funded by our Gardner parent association. It's a gem of a school.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2017

My family and I are very happy with the entire experience we are having at Gardner Street Elementary School. I am thrilled with the quality of education my grandchildren are receiving and especially the care and concern for all students. Michael Rosner is a wonderful, involved principal who takes time to talk with you even if there is not a problem. The office staff is helpful, and the teachers are committed to helping all students become life long learners.Thanks to all of you!