Mt. Washington Elementary School

3981 San Rafael Avenue

School District

Los Angeles Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
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 October 02, 2020

We couldn't be happier. The principal and progressive curriculum are rare in this giant district. The fact that it is not a Title # school means that the parents can be more involved. Their involvement makes for some *very* high-guality enrichment: gardening, art, music, loose-parts creative play, robotics, radio production, theater. Each year it improves and expands based on the talents and ideas of the parents. It's an incredibly tight community in which the kids thrive.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2019

There is a strong undercurrent of white privilege that dominates this school. I would strongly caution people of color to think twice before sending your kids here. On too many occasions my daughter came home and told us she was lonely or she sat by herself at recess. We thought for a split second that maybe she was introverted. But then she started telling us that others girls said things things to her that made her feel embarrassed about her hair and would try to touch it. This was her experience at 6 years old. We pulled her out of the school and put her into an environment with a majority kids of color and immediately saw a difference in her joy and happiness.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2018

My son is absolutely thriving at this school.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2018

Every parent, teacher and administrators care about the kids well being and education.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2018

Great experience. Love the teachers. Parents are very involved. Highly recommended
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2017

Not good. The culture is driven by the parents and teachers and there is an great unwillingness to change.
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2017

Mt Washington was great for my "good student" child and terrible for my child who wasn't interested in the busy work of common core. This school lacks options for alternative education.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2016

Both my kids went to Mt Washington and came out gifted learners. Community really comes together, I liked every parent I interacted with. Feel so lucky to have been a part of this school.
Submitted by parent on January 01, 2016

If this school wasn't bound to LAUSD and its policies this would be a fantastic school. It's progressive thanks to parents and their fundraising efforts .But if it wasn't for their involvement (and opening their wallets) this school would just be average.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2015

Mt. Washington has great levels of parent involvement, has unparalleled diversity in its area, solid visual arts integration (love to see more music & dance, but...) and does a very good job of creating a sense of community. What Mt. Washington has traditionally not done well, however, is address varied learner needs, particularly providing enrichment & challenging learning for 'above-the-curve' students by teachers and staff during the school day. For that, you have to pay extra for the (many and diverse, happy to say) after-school enrichment programs. Yes it has +900 scores, yet the school rates a 2 of 10 in academics when compared with schools with the same demographics, and this despite its designation as a School for Advanced Studies. I am happy to say that the teachers do not pile on excessive homework (okay, 3rd grade was a little rough), but the school policy is to refer parents interested in developmentally-appropriate academics for their children to other pay-for-play programs such as Mathnasium and private tutoring. T
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2014

Mount Washington is a school like no other! The administration, teachers, staff, & parents make it the GREAT school that it is. This school has gone through numerous principals; finally we have someone who stands for what she believes in; supporting the teachers to ensure that the children of Mt Washington receive the BEST education possible. The teachers are all highly qualified & often go above & beyond the call of duty. Many are often seen putting in more hours beyond the bell; planning, collaborating, tutoring, & conferencing with parents. This doesn't include the hours they put in on the weekends. Just drive & you'll see cars in the parking lot. The principal & her teachers are dedicated. The teachers attend trainings & conferences, continuously read & refer to the latest research, & implement school wide strategies & techniques to meet the needs of all students. Parental involvement is outstanding. They too work hard to make sure that their children & their teachers are supported by volunteering & using their resources to provide additional learning opportunities. The conversations that take place in the classrooms & the quality of learning is something to be proud of.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2014

Mt Washington Elementary School is a good school and not a great school. It is mediocre as most lausd schools and at the end of the day it's a public school with no money. The parent volunteers are the reason it is the school that it is with high API scores that are status quo because teachers don't do more and don't do less. Our experience has been okay. Last year there was more police cars and we started yes school yr the same because of problems with kids and parents. In my opinion the principal, Georgina Gravino lacks leadership skills, is divisive and does not have a presence. She is no Valentino. The PTA has a strong presence and runs the principal and the school. It is unfortunate it is not more than what it is. Our children, do well and would do well at any school.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2014

Echoing what many parents here have said. Your voice and your child's voice are definitely heard. I had a child (one of three who attended MW) who was not stimulated enough and we had countless meetings with teachers and the principal to find ways to help her. She had great work ethic even then. Eventually, she started a program whereby the older students would tutor the younger ones in Math and Reading. From an initial crew of 6 volunteers, it grew to 30+ by the time she graduated. Those 3 children eventually went to an Ivy League university, two of whom graduated from the #1 business school, Wharton. We loved the location. Where other elem school in the city of Los Angeles can be in such an idyllic location where the children can pick and eat kumquats? My children loved their time there and when they come back for a visit from NYC where they live, they take a drive and visit and reminisce over the wonderful times at Mt. Washington.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

My kids' school is a place where my voice as a parent is heard, there are opportunities for volunteering and there is a push to constantly improve in all aspects.
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2012

I sent two children to Mt. Washington Elementary School. One went on to graduate from Harvard, the other graduated from UCSB and received a master's degree from the University of Antwerp (she resides there and learned the language). I have one grandchild who graduated from Mt. Washington and is now, at 14 in a special program for gifted and high achievers at CSULA. And...I have a granddaughter currently attending. I should be obvious what I think of the school. It has a lot going for it. Its small size, its unique hilltop location and parents that have always, more or less, run the school. We are so lucky to live in an area with such great public education available.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2012

I've been a parent to one student for a couple of years now, my son has been at Mt Washington since kindergarten. He's currently in the 5th grade. I now have two attending as my daughter is beginning kindergarten. The Principal and teachers I've encountered are incredible. With the leadership of Mrs. V's, the Principal at Mt. Washington, Ive noticed an extremely high standard of excellence set throughout the entire school and all the faculty members. Mrs. V has been at Mt. Washington a couple of years now and it's good to know that the school's leadership is far superior to that of many other LAUSD schools well in to the future. Lastly, the school's location is one of tranquility. It's nestled on a mountain overlooking all of Los Angeles in a very upscale neighboring community. There is ZERO violence...ZERO! How many other LAUSD schools can say that, and with confidence.. Great School, Great Environment (you literally forget you are in Los Angeles). Need I say more!
Submitted by parent on July 16, 2012

Principal Valentino is a visionary and a gifted leader. She gives of herself heart and soul, works tirelessly and is dedicated to making Mt. Washington the very best it can be. The location is serene and lovely and the parent body is invested and hardworking. It really feels like a close-knit community. In the face of audacious budget cuts and economic crisis we continue to work together to solve problems and to keep moving forward always keeping what is best for the students at the forefront of our decisions. One of the ways this is done is in the form of surveys administered to parents and students to assess their priorities as to where what little money we have should be spent. Everyone has a voice! Mt. Washington is a gem and deserving of it's recent California Distinguished School award. We feel so fortunate to be a part of it.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2012

I have been a parent of two children who have attended this wonderful school for the past eight years. There have been some bumpy points with changeover, however, I believe this school is in its prime right now. We have just received a distinguished school award, have a top notch principle who replaced the non-working principle, wonderful teachers & staff and a group of parents who work VERY hard at making up funding with the lack of allocations from the district. I don't think you could find a stronger community.