Wildwood School

11811 West Olympic Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90064

31 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 01, 2020

My child's experience at Wildwood has been nothing short of incredible. Caring teachers, work that is interesting to my child. When I pick up at the end of the day and ask how things went, my child says "school was fun." Nothing makes me happier.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2018

The school is all fluff and zero substance. My kids were on both end of the learning abilities and neither one learned much of anything. They cater to the very average liberal arts crowd. Reviews always have to be taken with a grain of salt but college admissions tell the truth - I bet half the schools you will have to look up because nobody ever heard of them ... small liberal arts that you pay your way into. Top 50 schools ? Maybe 1-2 students each year ... Everything is taught and done the “Wildwood Way” - there is no differentiation in the work assigned. One of my kids was struggling - we asked for extra assignments and help by the teachers - haven’t gotten anything in 4 plus years. The teachers are lazy - limited homework... very little testing — guess what - not a lot to do for a teacher...they come in at 8:15 and by 3:45 the parking lot is empty. The great new math program comes straight from workbooks and Singapore... It looks nice and sounds nice and it’s all liberal arts fluff - and if kids fall behind they will ask you to pour more money into it.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2017

I just glanced over the school's reviews on this site, and it's troubling how even slightly critical reviews are immediately buried by several gushing five star ones. As a Wildwood parent, I actually think it's important for other prospective families to be aware of both the good and the bad going in. The good: a very nice parent body, and some extremely sweet pre/teens. The bad: A worrisome turnover rate for both teachers and even high-level administrators. Many Friday electives classes have curriculum that seem not well thought out, and are usually taught by teachers of other subjects. Overall, 'love of learning' seems to pertain to when the whole class is doing independent projects on their extracurricular interests, but I have rarely seen the school support any kid's ambitions if they are academic (like if they're dying to work hard or take an outside course to bump up to the next highest level in math.) The head of school has seemed unable to get things in line for a long time now, but we're really hoping this round of new administrators will be the charm!
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2017

Wildwood has been expanding its innovative approach to education. Currently it offers some of the most cutting edge advanced science programs in the nation. The Wildwood "institute" model, which begun 2 years ago is a student led and managed research institution inside the school where the students are engaged in actual scientific research. They collaborate with institutions like NASA, CALTECH, UCLA and more to introduce students to science and STEM as protagonists in research. Our son, now a senior in the upper school developed his critical thinking, leadership and academic in this context of experiential education. His academics rapidly surpassed his peers in other schools and his critical skills translated into lifelong love for the sciences. After a fantastic college application season he is on his way to a career in scientific research leveraging the power of this approach to education. Wildwood is now on its way to introduce a similar institute model in the Arts. The kids that emerge from this school have the highest integrity, critical thinking and creativity and ability to work in teams, and incredible ability to create new ideas and communicate them. It takes a special kind of teacher and leadership to put together this kind of approach to education, and Wildwood has them. It's easy to give the kids a bunch of standardized tests and workbooks. Wildwood teachers are more like coaches focused on the student's individual journey and passions. This school was transformative to our son's life. Take the time to understand the Institute model and the Habits the school instills as values and you will understand why this school is very unique in its excellence.
Submitted by other on March 24, 2017

I am continually impressed with how engaged Wildwood students are with their projects. Science Night blew me away. Nothing better than seeing students excited about learning, including my daughter.
Submitted by other on March 15, 2017

I feel so fortunate to have found a school like Wildwood for my children, where they receive a stellar academic education while becoming compassionate, contributing, ethical members of society. They don’t face the intense competition and super heavy (often pointless) homework load found at so many schools these days, both public and private. Wildwood teachers and administrators embrace feedback and change and endeavor to produce graduates who are prepared to thrive in whatever awaits them after high school. Their progressive approach to teaching gives students real-world skills and a lifelong love of learning.
Submitted by other on March 03, 2017

My son will be graduating from Wildwood this year, and his experience has been a stellar one. Our family has always appreciated Wildwood's approach to education. They continue to set a very high bar for effective learning, while the students are able to self-reflect with a clear understanding of their own learning style. The teachers are very supportive, and in the case of my son, they always encouraged him to incorporate his own passions and interests into the curriculum. The Wildwood Institute for Stem Research and Development is unique to Wildwood and a groundbreaking program. My son will graduate fully prepared to navigate his new College experience with compassion, confidence, excitement and a true love of learning. We couldn't be more grateful for our son's Wildwood education.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2017

My children have attended Wildwood School since kindergarten--and my oldest is now in his first year of college and my youngest is in 11th grade. Wildwood offers a cutting edge education which inspires its students to be life-long learners who are interested in the world around them. The administration and teachers truly care about the students and see each one as individuals. Students are consistently engaged, self-reflective, and passionate learners. Wildwood creates a safe and stimulating environment for this to be so.
Submitted by other on February 27, 2017

I have two students at Wildwood, one in middle school and one in upper school. Our experience has been excellent, especially in terms of the individualized attention given to the students. Their teachers know them well and push them to stretch themselves both academically and socially/emotionally, with pretty amazing results. Our children have emerged as confident, curious, self aware young adults who are unafraid to reach higher, and who are extraordinarily comfortable within the walls of their school. We appreciate the school's constant pursuit of educators and administrators who also challenge themselves, and who are not afraid to adapt. The school has and continues to be responsive to the latest research on education. They just always seem to be a step ahead.
Submitted by other on December 22, 2016

Wildwood approaches education in a unique way. The result is children that are curious, vocal, confident and intellectual.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2016

Both of my children have been at Wildwood since kindergarten, with the oldest now in the 8th grade. They are avid learners, love school, and are both incredibly academically, intellectually and socially competent. Wildwood focuses on what it really means to be a lifelong learner. It values curiosity, being a self-starter, caring for others, and making positive change in the world. It's the school that you wish you went to as a kid because you know you would be better today for it. It also is the school you feel grateful exists if your goal is to try and raise ethical, intelligent and thoughtful children.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2015

Our 3 daughters graduated from Wildwood. They loved going to school and getting a top education. We're so grateful for the extraordinary educational community at Wildwood, and we've found them to be 100% available for the students. Our daughters have become critical thinkers with big hearts who went on to exceptional colleges and felt ready to take on their passions in life.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2015

We graduated all 3 of our daughters from Wildwood. We LOVE it. It is an extraordinary, magical, rigorous, engaging, academic community. The teachers are uniformly outstanding. The heads of school are smart, available and forward-thinking. The parent body is warm, wise + welcoming. The young women our daughters have become are exceptionally WHOLE, informed, funny and academically-impressive young adults. All have graduated from or are attending top-tier colleges (including an Ivy). Their academic prowess continues to impress. My wife + I attribute a great-deal of our children's success to their experience at Wildwood. It is a magical place... filled with extraordinary people.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2015

We have had some great years with great teachers at the lower school, and some bad years with bad teachers. We have just learned, from this website, that the upper school is switching to a "tracked" system. Pretty scary, because Wildwood's greatest weakness is working with the individual needs of children. The culture is dominated by a self-congratulatory clique of elite families who dictate the tone and acceptable discourse. I am sure that all of their children will find themselves on the high track, though. In our experience, the school leadership is wise and positive, but actually quite unresponsive to most parents. Wildwood is a special school. But get ready to take your lumps if you are an ordinary family who has to work hard to afford the tuition. They will let you in, but you will never be a member of the club, and your kid will just have to wait her turn for a good teacher and endure the bad ones. You should never complain at Wildwood. They discourage that. Wildwood is a capitalist reserve in a commune's clothing. There are some gifted teachers. But to survive Wildwood -- you go along to get along.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2015

We are what are referred to as "lifers" at Wildwood. Our children began in Kindergarten, matriculated through the Pods, Lower School and now are currently in Middle and Upper School. We could not be happier with the education, philosophy, administration and community at Wildwood School. Their progressive education philosophy, has encouraged our children to be self-starters and independent learners. They know how to advocate for themselves, understand their strengths and stretches and strive to nourish their curiosity for learning and knowledge. The Gateways are mini-dissertations in themselves. I believe it's extremely rare for a 14 year old to assess their education in a public forum, with careful thought, insight, a power-point presentation. The rigorous curriculum in peppered with community service, electives, and Internships. (Wildwood is one of 15 schools in the Nation with an Internship program...fantastic experience.) We are proud of the education that our children are receiving.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2015

We have been at Wildwood 9 years thus far. Each stage of academic and personal development is articulated in the curriculum and requires not only the student to rise to the challenges of growth and learning, but this system also requires the parent to gently "release" their child gradually so that the child may develop an authentic understanding of self, start to take more responsibility for their learning and develop their own voice. This is especially true in middle school where they leave the cozy nest of elementary school and start the exciting, adolescent work of individuation and finding their unique passions. This is a place where students are encouraged to take risks and learn how to make mistakes successfully. Academics become more challenging, and that is a good thing. Homework is relevant and projects demand not only application and mastery of content, but also teach the emotional and social skills so important throughout life. Executive functioning skill sets are also emphasized, especially at the middle school level. Our child is thriving at Wildwood.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2015

We love Wildwood. We love its commitment to best practices and its pedagogical modernity. I think a comment posted below needs clarification: our Upper School (high school) director is wonderful, heads up an academically rigorous and progressive program and is not leaving. Our current middle school (junior high) director is leaving our city for a job in his hometown. While we are sad to see him go, our dynamic Head of School will no doubt make another smart, visionary hire, like he has been doing for years. I am happy to report that Wildwood is a strong and committed community of intelligent and creative students, innovative faculty, and supportive administration; and it has rigorous, academic, research-based, pedagogically progressive programs in place that serves students well as they journey from the elementary school, to middle school, to upper school, and into the college years and beyond.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2015

WW upper school is currently very troubled. The mid-year switch to a tracked system in the MS has the parent body turning against itself (those with kids in the fast track mostly support it, those in the slower tracks mostly do not), and so far, the search to fill the open director spot with someone who has the vision and experience to unite the school seems bleak. The large number of families applying out this year could turn out to be the best thing for WW, though, if the exodus leaves behind a more unified parent and student body. The school keeps failing in its attempt to be everything to everyone: both progressive and rigorous/college prep; inclusive of learning challenges as well as giftedness. But it could be a really great place if it honed its identity and just tried to do one thing really well.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2015

While our family LOVED the elementary school, we have been confused, underwhelmed and ultimately disappointed by the middle school. The lack of communication from both administration and teachers is a major problem. Too much emphasis is currently being put on the new sports program and not enough on curriculum. The recent announcement about the middle school director leaving has families feeling anxious.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2015

Wildwood is a school that looks absolutely amazing on the outside, but is struggling internally because of incompetent leadership. A teacher there who also happens to be a friend said that the ship is sinking, and everyone is abandoning it. I currently have kids both at the elementary and middle. My older son is having a horrible year at the middle school. We recently found out that their non-responsive middle school director will not be here next year leaving behind a math program that Is currently in shambles. Almost EVERY 6th grade parent is upset at the current STEM program. The math class was combined with science which sounds great on paper, but the end result is a watered down program that does not teach either subject well. My son along with the majority of his class had the BEST math experience of his life last year with a once in a lifetime teacher (Alan Yu) who left to focus on his own STEM school in West Los Angeles. Alan was also a parent there and his own daughter no longer attends the school. Many of the current families are applying to different schools for 7th grade for their children. Both of my boys will not be returning next year.