Visitation Elementary School

8740 Emerson Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90045

13 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 05, 2024

I have 2 of my children here and I highly recommend it. I never thought I would have my kids in a Catholic school but Viz was the perfect place for us. The community (parent, families, staff) is so amazing and welcoming, the faculty and staff are very caring, supportive, and seem to always have the children’s best interest at the forefront of everything. The security of the students is top notch and very well communicated. The teachers have been very sweet and at the same time have a great structured class, and have excelled academically, thanks to their patience and time dedicated to them and what they need. Can’t wait for my 3rd little to start school with them.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2022

I have two children who attend this school and we have had an excellent experience. All teachers we have encountered have been caring and at the top of their teaching game. In our experience, the principal has always been fair and approachable. He looks out for the best interest of all students, families and faculty. We love this school and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone!
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2022

I was not happy the way they treated my child here. Extremely strict and they are not equipped to teach the younger children. They use threats/ fear based tactics to correct small children. If your small child won’t sit completely still or on their bottoms and have knees on chair they go on a bad behavior list. My child was scolded in front of me and they threatened to send him to see the principal for no valid reason other than he’s a normal child. Not a nurturing learning environment. Unless you are looking for an old school boarding school environment, than this is the school for you. Parents of course were great, but overall not a good school.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2021

Having my two children attend this school with the last one graduating recently, I feel I can honestly write this review with the last 10 to 12 years in hindsight.The overall quality of the education provided was good. There are some really good teachers there with a few being exceptional. Unfortunately the exceptional ones have either retired (like the former 8th grade teacher Mr Laner) or have moved on to other schools because of the principal.As a catholic school, both on my children had positive experience with religious education as part of their curriculum and Visitation did prepare them academically for excelling in high school. That’s the good part.Now for the bad.First off, the office staff is excellent and have the best interests of the students as their primary goal. Like many have stated though, the administration is sorely lacking and that all falls squarely principal Watson. Unfortunately he is not equipped with skills to be a good leader. In recent years, MANY families have left because of this principal. He has his favorite teachers and families (usually the ones who donate the most money to the school) and he does not deal well with issues such as student discipline with fairness, equity, and good judgement and he does NOT like to be challenged. When he is and your student gets in trouble, he falls back on his religious diatribes and his handy “student handbook” as his escape. He also does not take ANY personal responsibility for his actions or shortcomings either. I have read other reviews about him simply trying to be the “popular principal” with families and students and sadly through my observations, I would have to agree. Also, once he identifies you as a problem, you are immediately ostracized from his kingdom and become an outcast.This school could really benefit and flourish with a new principal and a fresh start. Is this a good school? Yes. It is in my community and close to my home Were my two girls happy? Yes. Would I consider this school again if I were starting this process completely over? Maybe, but I would look more closely at the other local alternatives and speak with other parents about the staff and any lack of leadership issues like this school obviously has with its principal. My advice with Visitation School is to be very proactive, always speak your mind and don’t be afraid of challenging ANYTHING by this principal that you don’t agree with before you enroll your child/children there.
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2018

We have two boys at the school right now and have been very happy with how much they've learned and grown since starting a few years ago. They love coming every morning and don't want to leave when its time to be picked up from after-school care because they are having too much fun. Between all of the different classes with specialized teachers such as Art, Computers, Spanish, and even Yoga, our kids are engaged and surprise us all of the time with the new things they learn day after day.The teachers we've had so far are loving and great with all of the kids. Additionally, the community of parents that we've gotten to know has been great and there is a real dedication to constant improvement of the campus and programs by the administration / PTO. We know a lot of young families who ask about the schools in our area and we never hesitate to recommend Viz to them.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2016

Teachers are great for the most part, and kids love it there, but totally agree with comments about lack of leadership by the principle. Does not deal good with problems that happen between students. Because of these problems you should avoid this school.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2014

If your child does not fit into their mold and has one problem your child becomes scorned for the duration and some of the teachers become very petty. The teachers made my son feel unworthy... In hind sight i should of followed some of the reviews pertaining to boys having a rough time. they definately favor girls and once your kid is on the bad list you should pull out immediately.
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2013

Visitation School has provided our 2 kids with a great education thus far, decent classroom sizes, and a wonderful safe environment. MOST importantly, our kids are happy and truly enjoy being at school. Also, the principal has made several positive changes in the school since he started and we are proud to be a part of the Visitation community.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2013

This school is amazing. The comment from the parent with 1 star must be mistaken. First of all, they offer Algebra and students are going to high school taking Honors Geometry in 9th grade. Also, about the discipline, yes, it is strict. If your child made a wrong decision, there are consequences. Bullying is not tolerated by the principal or teachers and it is dealt with. If your child is responsible for that, then they need to take responsibility. They don't suspend kids for being spritied, they suspend kids for being bullies. I appreciate that my child is safe as a result of the schools strict policies on behavior.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2012

I completely disagree with that last review. This school is everything we would hope it would be and more. We have experience at both local public and other private and this school really is better. However, it is strict and if your child is a bully or gets into trouble a lot the child will get disciplined. If that's a problem for you, find another school. Also, the principal and teachers are amazing.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2012

If your kid doesn't fit the mold she/he will not succeed there! They advertise Advanced Math and Reading Programs ; they are NOT TRUE!! Our child was bored out of him mind therefore getting in trouble. They are not equipped to deal with 'spirited kids and rather than helping parents deal with it they just label them as 'bad' and provide 'independent studies' to the child (suspension). If you are progressive (not regressive) and know your kid needs to be stimulated DO NOT ENROLL HERE! Parents MAKE this school but staff and teachers are not fully prepared.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2012

I agree with most of what has been said, except the part about the second grade test scores. I am a parent of a second grader and their test scores are low. I also personally did not weather the tuition increase well at all. And as you can see from this year, the tuition went up again. I think we should respect that everyone's experience is going to be different and thus our facts will be different too.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2012

I agree! This school has been wonderful experience for my kids. The past two years have been tremendous. Visitation really delivers!