Palms Middle School

10860 Woodbine Street

School District

Los Angeles Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:25
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 January 26, 2024

Gifted Magnet Program Great school , love all of child’s teachers . They have teaching long term at this school and are very dedicated. Love they have sports and and excellent music program. My only complaint about this school is the occurrence of fights during breaks/ lunch .My child had never seen a physical altercation until she started attending Palms. She has now grown accustomed to the daily altercations. The staff try their best to prevent / minimize the fights but some of these kids just don’t care.Many children are also from out of the area and are bused here . There seems to be so much going on . Overall I love the curriculum, teachers, and gifted program. But if they could do away with the excessive fights it would be perfect
Submitted by other on August 16, 2023

Palms has a serious problem with fights, and there seems to be no willingness to change it. Bullies have no consequences. The campus is also very dirty.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2023

Excessive fighting and bullying. The Principal was completely useless in remedying and he should be reported to upper-administration given the chronic issues and not doing anything to remedy.
Submitted by other on July 24, 2023

Dont EVER. EVER. Send your students here, especially if their neurodivergent or have a hidden disability in general. They are an ABLEIST, RUDE SCHOOL. Office staff asked my student “can you write?” Like a sarcastic question, literally dress coding student for wearing “pajamas” but they were sweats. Office lady asks, “Do you not know how to the difference between pants and pajamas?”. Also, inappropriate, rude behavior in the students. One student asked my student something very inappropriate, i cant say it. Can’t even accommodate my students invisible disability. Won’t never be recommending.
Submitted by student on May 04, 2023

I am currently an 8th grader in Palms MS, and I can say it's a good school. Only downside, constant fights. The music program is amazing, and teachers provide exceptional help to students that need it. I would personally recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2023

My older kid went to this school a few years ago and it was a great school. But like what other people said, it has changed. My younger kid goes here and I no longer feel safe to send my kid there because of too many fights and bullying. It’s too unfortunate to see this is happening.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2023

The campus is dirty- and so are the classrooms. There are many fights in the school are my only critiques
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2022

This was our first choice for middle school and the school used to be provide a wonderful, academically rich environment. My child was thriving! However, it has changed-- there are student fights, the campus is filthy, plenty of bullying and the academics are mediocre. It's heartbreaking what this school as become in a short period of time. Think twice before sending your child here.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2022

Overall, my son's experience at the school has been very positive. I believe the principal really cares and doing his best to manage the very divergent interests of all stakeholders. There is a pretty strong teacher voice and a very diverse student body, with parents who want their child's particular needs addressed. That is a very difficult task for a principal. I can honestly say that Principal Choi is reasonable, tough when he needs to be, and responsive to the needs of stakeholders. My kid's teachers have ended up really good so far. My kid is in the gifted magnet program and doing well. I have no complaints. His teachers have been really good this year, returning back to in person learning. The interesting thing about Palms that I am seeing is the very divergent parent body. How can I put this delicately? What I see as an body of Caucasian/westside neighborhood parents who are probably at Palms because they didn't get into less diverse schools like Paul Revere, or they couldn't afford private school. They don't seem happy at Palms and they don't want to be there. There is a sort of "white flight" that I believe is taking place at Palms, which is very typical of public education. Generally speaking, as more families of color enter a school, white families slowly but surely leave that school. So there is an interesting shift in the student and parent body at Palms, happening. I predict in 5 years, Palms will be predominately Black and Latinx in student makeup. For example, you have a facebook group of Palms Parents, mostly consisting of white parents, complaining about how wild and "disruptive" the school has gotten. That is very common narrative when you have a school dealing with diversity and the onset of white flight. As a fairly observant parent, I do not view the school as having a bunch of wild and disruptive students. I won't get into the details of any particular situation, but let's just say that such accounts are exaggerated highly. Those parents (and maybe their kids) are just afraid of diversity. There is no large influx of violent kids at Palms at all. These are good students for the most part, and the school handles incidents fairly and swiftly. Academically, my kid is receiving the academic rigor that is on par with any other high achieving program in LA, public or private. I commend that teachers, staff and principal on a job well done, although I know it must be stressful for them.
Submitted by other on July 26, 2021

thing is that the school is awfully dirty. i’m talking *certain* classrooms, hallways, and locker rooms. the whole school kinda gives off a depressing vibe. i think i’ve seen my fair share of cockroaches and dirt/dust to last me the remaining years of school i have. students can be pretty mean, drama every day. i think social status matters a lot at this school. lastly education. i actually think the education was pretty good at this school, but it all depends on the teacher teaching it. i’ve had amazing teachers who’ve inspired me and made me want to show up to class. and others who made it seem like teaching was just a job, and really didn’t put in the effort. this school does have a lot of clubs for people to participate in, a nice library, cool events, and after school tutoring for those who need it. all in all i wouldn’t recommend this school. unfortunately covid-19 made me miss my last year, but it was honestly kind of a blessing. every student has a different experience. if you want to take your chances with fights almost every week, achieving a high social status, and a few terrible teachers, go for it!! but if not i would say look at other schools where every voice is heard and everyone is treated equally.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2021

The teachers here are very caring and pay special attention to learning differences between students. My child's math teacher actually spent a few Saturday with us to make sure my child can ace his next exam - at no charge, I am highly moved.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2019

I tell all of my friends to bring their children to Palms. I wouldn't trade it for any school out there! Rigorous academics, real world training, relationships with teachers, and golden rule expectations. What else could you ask for? Count me in!!
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2018

Horrific, terrifying, Absolutely miserable, just a nightmare! My child was being bullied and would tell the teachers and even the dean! No one did anything about it. My child kept having to fight to defend herself. She would even miss classes that the bullies would be in just to avoid them. All of this was promptly brought to the dean and nothing would be resolved. My child is permanently damaged because of the schools lack of care and concern for what she had to encounter day in and day out! DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2017

As a parent of a 7th grade student in the magnet program and an education professor, I am continually impressed by the quality of education, my child is receiving at this school. Her teachers are clearly experienced and passionate about their subjects. My child has found an excellent peer group of students who are very motivated to achieve in school. The music program (orchestra) has been wonderful as has the afterschool art class. I've found the teachers to be very accessible whenever I had a question about anything. Overall, I'm really impressed and I've explored many other options. I'm so glad we stayed in the district and are having a great public school experience -- better than many of my child's friends who made other choices. There is so much more this school would like to do with more parental involvement (develop their garden, for example) . I highly recommend it!
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2017

I am a parent of a 7th grade magnet student. We choose to enroll our son at Palms Middle School because of the magnet program and the excellent music program. We have been very pleased with both programs. Our son has excelled both academically and musically at this school. Socially, he has retained some of his old friends and made new ones. We love the multicultural expericene at Palms. The Principal, counselors, teachers and staff are wonderful, caring and supportive. As a parent, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities to participate in. We have had a great experience at this school and we highly recommend it.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2017

I am a parent of a seventh grade boy who loves attending Palms. His teachers are superb: focused on the intellectual, academic, and civic education of the students; extremely well-prepared; quick to respond to parent correspondence, questions, and concerns; and overall committed, engaging, optimistic. My son is doing the kind of work in English class in middle school that I did in high school! The administrators are accessible, visible, and deeply interested in what's best for the students.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2017

My daughter has had a great experience at Palms. She has had inspiring and challenging teachers, developed great friendships and feels confident and excited about school. Although middle school seemed like such a big jump from elementary school, the transition to Palms was easy. I am always amazed that I run into my daughter's friends whenever I am on campus- still has a small school feel. The parents are nice, very welcoming.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2017

My son is in 7th grade at Palms Middle School. We are extremely happy with our overall experience at Palms. The principle is absolutely wonderful and all the teachers have been very caring and dedicated. We are very happy with the choice that we made and highly recommend this school to all parents who are looking for a caring and inspiring environment!
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2016

My daughter is in 7th grade at the Palms Magnet. We could not have been happier. Our daughter is thriving, academically and socially. We have had great teachers who have inspired her to push the envelope. Dr. Moriuchi is a very collected and an approachable presence at school. The involved parent group is another great plus.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2016

My eldest daughter graduated from Palms Middle School 2 years ago and I have a younger daughter in 7th grade. We have had an exceptional experience. The teachers and administrators are experienced, knowledgeable and caring. The true test of Palms Middle School can be seen when the kids move on to high school - Palms kids excel wherever they go. Some go on to private high schools and easily hold their own with their peers. In public high schools they are generally the most prepared and hardworking students. It's a wonderful community school with a strong parent body called Friends of Palms who are involved and invested in making the school great for ALL the kids.