Pilgrim School

540 South Commonwealth Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90020

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 01, 2021

This is not really a "school" The admin was terrible a decade ago and the current head of school did not make necessary changes, nor is she any more qualified than her predecessor, who also had ZERO real world ed experience.
Submitted by other on March 13, 2019

This school sees the kids as dollar signs. The school cares more about the wealth of the parents or fundraising then the actual child. The school focuses on small issues instead of actual problems such as teasing. Save your money, and go elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2018

Our kids have been there since preschool and are now in high school. They are very different kids, with different strengths and different needs and the school has supported them both in such a personalized way. I am so please with what happy and engaged learners they have become, intellectually curious and mindful of their role and responsibility in the world. I attribute this to the close relationship they have fostered with the staff and faculty of the school and the values and ethos of the Pilgrim culture.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2018

It is all around a wonderful school. My son has gone here since preschool and loves it. The faculty is nothing short of amazing. It’s a small team, great classes and engaged students that enjoy their time there.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2018

BEST decision we ever made was to send our son to this school for high school. The only regret we have is that we did not put him in starting in Middle school. He has received a TOP notch education and we have watched him grow into an even more wonderful and responsible young adult. Nothing but praises for the community, the leadership, the staff and the kids because they are our greatest teachers!
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2018

A+ - 5 stars. I will forever be grateful to Pilgrim for the support and guidance they provide for my children.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2018

My children all attended the preschool and my daughter is now in the middle school. A small school environment in the middle of the big city- and now with an even bigger, more beautiful campus to boot. Finally- once again the school has ample on campus and secure parking (doesn't seem like a big deal, but it means parents get to spend more time on campus getting to know other parents, teachers and the kids, and attending events!). Small class sizes at all grade levels means lots of personal attention from teachers, but it doesn't stop there. Lots of emphasis on personal and emotional growth and support- everyone from the yard staff (some of them long-time employees and are considered the heart of the school) to librarians to the lunch crew (an amazing catering company) to the counselors, office staff, heads of school and more- everyone knows everyone and it creates a very unique school community. I'm so thankful we found this school and hope everyone takes the time to check it out in person.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2018

We have been at Pilgrim school for 3 years now. We made it through the construction, and now have one of the most beautiful and educational campuses in the City of Los Angeles. The small class sizes, the love and attention from the staff and a real focus on community is what makes this school thrive. If your child has individual learning needs they are receptive and attentive. They have a program that you can sign up for where you meet with your child's individual teacher each month during the school year to set goals and follow progress. It has made my naturally shy child explode in confidence and academic progress. We are truly pleased with the school and would recommend to anyone! (and we do!!)
Submitted by other on January 24, 2018

Love this community - they really do care about the kids and the new Head of School is awesome.
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2017

This review is pertaining to middle school. First of all for the positives - the campus is attractive and the equipment is current. Unfortunately, the positives stop there. The academics are very mediocre and worse than in an average middle school. Many teachers are inexperienced and/or bored with their jobs. Its been my experience that retention of teachers has been dismal.Many of the students in middle school or High school have a difficult time being accepted in other private schools and therefore end up in Pilgrim by process of attrition.The school is big on fundraising above all else. There is no bullying policy. However, there is a "whoever donates more money is a more valuable member of the school" policy.I wish I took the time to pay attention to all the negative reviews prior to enrolling my child in this school. I just hope I didn't do any long lasting damage to my child both socially and academically.
Submitted by other on December 09, 2015

Regarding High School, Expensive private school with mediocre academics. The main focus is fundraising. Nice campus, but now under construction until 2017.
Submitted by student on May 07, 2015

At college there was this idea that arriving students would "find themselves". Pilgrim let me balance football, yearbook, creative writing, and a drama program. I had already sampled a range of people, cultures, and interests before I arrived at the Claremont Colleges. There wasn't any culture shock or adjustment period. I am proud to say that I graduated from here. The high expectations from my teachers laid the path for where I am today.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2015

How thrilled we are with the leadership and strong core educational instruction at Pilgrim using the latest technology, advanced teacher instruction and offering as well the involvement of parent instruction to assist their students. The HOS has been amazing to collect a team of administrators and teachers to not only teach our student how to make a living but how to live, ministering to each dimension: mentally, socially, physically and spiritually. Our student was accepted at all five colleges he applied, being part of a Pilgrim educational tradition that every high school graduate has moved on to college for over fifty years.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2015

You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2014

Buyer beware this corporate run school masquerading as a "church based" educational institution. And read fast because the corporate lawyer head of school always has non-glowing reviews removed from this site. I am a parent and I am supportive of the school and many families but I must tell you the truth as I see it. The best part of the school is the elementary school. It all quickly begins to go downhill around 3rd or 4th grade. Also the supposed "diversity" of the school masks a serious problem with turnover among that population. The school wants POC for their marketing but offers no real understanding or support of what it means to build a diverse community. The school is especially aggressive in pushing out african american students as they get older. The school is all about money, money, money. The school recently began hosting international students in a "boarding" program. It's a financially viable choice-- but ignores the fact that this K-12 school is simply spread too thin to fulfill its educational function well. All schools must fundraise but there has to be an educational mission at its core. how is that possible with a HOS who only cares about building more stuff?
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2014

My children just love going to school! They have fun and learn so much every single day. The teachers are very caring and nurturing. A very elite school in the heart of Los Angeles!
Submitted by other on February 11, 2013

Best school ever. I go there and it is amazing. I would recommend it to your children