Cottonwood Elementary School

2740 West Avenue P 8

School District

Westside Union Elementary
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Westside Union Elementary 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 September 01, 2022

They do accommodations for children with special needs, but discriminate them sooooo much & are constantly suspending & kicking kids out of school for mediocre things. They love to yell at students & belittle them. My son HATES school because of the way they treat him & constantly blame him for things.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2019

I have been very pleased with the education my daughters (4th and 2nd grade) have received thus far (which means a lot considering we transferred from a high-performing district in Santa Clarita). This is their second year attending this school and they are thriving! Great teachers of note: Mrs. de Moor, Ms. Brooks, Ms. Buck, Mrs. Harmon (retired).
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2019

Overall I am very pleased with Cottonwood and love this school. We have been here for 3 years. My oldest is now in middle school but my youngest is still here, but they both excelled (my youngest still does) at this school where as, when we were in the LAUSD System previously (at 2 very different elementary schools) they struggled. Here they are more engaged, feel safe, and enjoy going to school. It isn't perfect but I wouldn't go any where else. I love that they appreciate me being a parent volunteer and I appreciate that they let me volunteer. I would recommend Cottonwood to anyone.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2018

Amazing, I wish I moved here sooner. Don't let the current ratings discourage you from sending your kids here. Everyone is so involved and you can tell the teachers love what they do and are so supportive of their students.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2018

This year, Cottonwood turned into the IDEA academy (STEAM) and a lottery school of choice. You can tell that the teachers and staff are excited about the change. My kindergartner loves going to school here and has great friends. I especially love the diversity. I look forward to next year, when the new building will open up -- with the office that will house the office and library. There will be a new playground and a garden for the teachers to share. I expect great things from this school as it grows.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2018

I have 2 daughters who attend Idea at Cottonwood. The teachers have been patient and easy to communicate with. The Principal Duran is very involved and friendly. It’s a smaller school which we love with a lot new learning activities.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2017

Above and beyond my expectations. My granddaughter is thriving. Mrs deMoor is an awesome teacher.
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2015

We moved from Burbank and when we moved my son was not doing well. Ever since he started here he had the support he needed and now is an A student achieving and acquiring all the skills needed to succeed. I am very pleased with the advancement he has attained by being here.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2014

My daughter is in 4th grade and has been attending Cottonwood since Kindergarten. When she first began attending, I couldn't have been happier with it. Her teacher was wonderful and Mrs. Sour (former principal) was amazing. Over the years and I have become increasingly unhappy with this school. I chose Cottonwood with an inter-district transfer based on test scores and reviews at the time. My daughter is a little more advanced than a lot of the children that attend and instead of challenging her they have placed her in a combination class for 3 out of the 5 years she's attended. Despite my complaints, they have done nothing to change this. She also has a substitute at least 2-3 times a week. For me, this is unacceptable. The office staff on numerous occasions have been very rude as well. However, not all complaints, they do have their good qualities as well. I can just see a decline in standards over the years.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2013

Our son is in kindergarten and so far, things have been great! We love his teacher and she's very in tune with the kids. I think the reason why we are having a good experience so far is because we are VERY involved with the happenings there. We go to all the functions and meetings as well as make sure to routinely speak with our son's teacher. I think this is SO important and it's very lacking nowadays. We do not have much $ but we still make sure to donate whenever we can in school supplies. It's sad but most of the parents of the children in our son's class weren't aware of the changes coming up at the school. This information was provided at a parent meeting ( a call was made to the homes) and honestly, maybe 8 parents showed up. I think with more parent involvement this school can excel!
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2013

can someone give me a feedback i see alot of bad reviews from a couple of years back how is the school now? im planning to move to a area close by and according to where i will be living this is the closest by is it better now?
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2010

The school has its issues, I rate it two stars, because of the overcrowded capacity, teachers are dealing with up to 32 students per class, many of which are unruly, and their hands are tied in ways to deal with them. The office staff has not changed, they are still unprofessional, which is sad, because they are the first impression parents get of the school. I have heard of bullying going on, and no effort is being made to address it., a bunch of responsibility shifting. My son is still there, only because it is close to my house, that has been the only benefit of Cottonwood