La Salle High School

3880 East Sierra Madre Boulevard

Pasadena, CA 91107

20 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 27, 2023

La Salle is suffering from a crisis in leadership. The school has had 3 different principals in the last 3 years. As a result, there's very little academic rigor in the classroom. The students are subject to the whims, idiosyncrasies and lack of professionalism of the teachers where character building is an afterthought. During the 2022/23 school year, a drug culture has plagued the school milieu, requiring local Sheriffs, police dogs, and heightened, random drug inspections throughout the day. The tuition at La Salle is inflated to give an appearance that it ranks among the top tier schools. It is common for private schools to attract talented teachers and savants to join their faculty. The number of those are sparse here. It's a charter school in disguise. Parents are paying for a location, not an education. It's all smoke and mirrors and a money grab. For parents looking to safeguard or at least limit their children from exposure to the politics and social agendas of the world, you won't find solace here. For those looking for a religious foundation to build upon, whatever your child knows now, that will be ultimately be the sum total of what they will learn at La Salle. To be sure, it's non-existent. One would think a private school asking for tuition north of $28K a year (total costs) would function as a feeder school to the top UCs and many Ivy League colleges. Guess again. La Salle feeds the local community colleges, Cal States, and small parochial colleges. In 2022, 76 students (57%) attended 16 public colleges and 16 private colleges which include Jr. College. These are La Salle's stats not mine. Any success enjoyed by recent graduates was done in spite of, not because of La Salle. It is obvious La Salle is riding on the hopes of a by-gone era. It was once a small, predominately white, all boys school. As it has tried to diversify with girls and children from all walks of life, there's a schizophrenic hope that it can also position itself as a sports school as well to compete with other private schools in the southland--possibly enticing athletes from all over San Gabriel Valley.The minimal success La Salle celebrates with some of its athletes is not because of their sports programs but in spite of them. La Salle has never been a sports powerhouse but it aspires to be: leaving much of the focus on academics, student development, culture, and teacher excellence in the distant past.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2019

My soon has had an excellent experience at this school the academics and arts are unrivaled.
Submitted by other on May 30, 2017

The Admission process was smooth and very inviting.
Submitted by other on November 05, 2015

Alumni (71 when school was all boys) whose daughter (2011) and son (2014) both attended, had very positve experiences with overall good teachers, participated in atheletics, received excellent college guidance, and made some very nice friends. LaSallle has a good mix of students of diverse backgrounds and makes a great effort to instill social responsibility. Both my kids went on to study engineering at top east coast universities. Not sure you could ask for more from a high school.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2015

I'm reading the February 10, 2014 comment and would reiterate every word! La Salle is an amazing school. The whole person is developed! "Learn, Serve, and Lead" is what they enrich the students with. My daughter has never been more happy and secure! She's tried many new activities, is constantly happy, and is proud of her school. I can see her blossoming into a mature and enchanting woman. I too know quite a few other kids who did the traditional feeder route and the parents and kids regret it! They aren't having nearly the experience they'd hoped for. My daughter had many choices and is thankful she went with her instinct. I'll also add, academically and emotionally, she's ready for college!
Submitted by other on October 02, 2013

I had the best experience I could've imagined at La Salle. The emphasis on community is so immensely valuable. Enter to learn, leave to serve!
Submitted by other on September 09, 2013

La Salle offered me an excellent education, a community of friends and mentors, and a path to service of others that has helped me achieve success both professionally as well as personally. I would recommend La Salle to anyone seeking a challenging academic environment that also grows the whole person. La Salle has numerous opportunities in athletics, art, science, and community service. I feel lucky that I was able to attend La Salle.
Submitted by other on September 04, 2013

I'm an alumnus of the class of the class of 2007. La Salle is a great school. It prepared me for college and beyond. I was accepted to my first choice university as well as several others. In addition to acceptances I was awarded a number of scholarships. At La Salle, I learned the value of service and the value of a quality education. I could not have asked for a better high school experience.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2013

This school provides a great opportunity for students to explore different activities until they find their own special interest. Very student focused.
Submitted by other on July 28, 2013

La Salle is an ideal school community where students receive an excellent college preparatory education inside and outside the classroom. From rigorous AP courses to community service opportunities in the greater San Gabriel Valley, students will most definitely be prepared for the next chapters in their academic careers.
Submitted by other on May 08, 2013

The Los Angeles Times has ranked La Salle the best high school in the San Gabriel Valley two years in a row.
Submitted by other on May 03, 2013

Mediocre teachers, cliques, drugs on campus. Ah high school! There are some good teachers and great students. However many students at the school are too focused on the social scene and not enough on academics. There is potential but not worth the expensive tuition.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2012

My son has attended LaSalle High School for three complete years and is a senior now. Interdisciplinary learning is happening within a course content (Jurassic Park is read in the Biology classes), between (English and History team up to teach a concept and cooperate on writing essays and through extracurrilcular activities (off site learning). Students are challenged in thier studies, whether they are placed in Advanced Placement courses, honors or additional electives that meet university entrance requirements. School is very transparent re: grading systems, homework policies and discipline policies. School spirit is exceptional. Students are accepting of differences and very supportive or each other. The LaSalle experience is what your make of it. All the components of a great school are in place at LaSalle.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2012

I was very disappointed with La Salle. The academic standards are very low and the college admission prospects for La Salle graduates are much lower than the public schools. I moved my son to Pasadena High School during his junior year and I was pleasantly surprised to find that PHS had much better academic programs, and unlike La Salle, PHS did not have drugs on campus. What a waste of thousands of dollars of tuition paid to La Salle. This is a very mediocre school, and not suitable for students who aspire to attend UC level or higher colleges and universities. La Salle is appropriate as a bridge to PCC or other junior colleges, or to Cal State level schools.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2012

My son is currently a junior. He statrted La Salle in the 9th grade. Both he and I love the school. The teachers are not only qualified but motivating. The principal, who is unfortunately stepping down this year, is that one of a kind individual who I feel privileged to have known. Every student from the most timid and studious to the the most outgoing and distracted has a place at this school. The school also puts its money where its mouth is. The school has undertaken to do everything possible to ensure that families, who have been affected by the economy, are offered reduced tuition are offered reduced tuition so that their children can graduate from La Salle. The junior/senior counselor at the school tenaciously keeps parents and students adviesed of deadlines for college testing and applications. He advises of summer internships, scholarshaps and enrichment programs. I made the mistake of allowing my daughter to attend South Pasadena High School. What a difference. I am happy to pay the tuition the tuition to La Salle and only wish I was able to contribute generously to the school to make it possible for more students to have this high school experience.
Submitted by student on March 10, 2012

my father attended la salle back when it was coed, and from what i can tell, it has gone extremely downhill since then. academics are comparable to a public school 7th graders. drugs are extremely prevalent in the school setting and the social scene is all about cliques. the athletics suck except for softball. also, the girls here and the girls at alverno (up the hill) are very catty with each other.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2011

My son will be a Senior next fall and we simply love La Salle High School. This school offers advanced courses that other high schools don't have (Genetics, Biotechnology, Anatomy, AP Spanish Literature, etc.) The school is very well organized and teachers are always available to talk to parents or students.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2011

Excellent school. Deans are very strict with attendance, uniforms, responsibility, etc. Parents can check every single class, grade, test, on line. La Salle HS offers all the help needed on SAT, ACT, and other requirements for College applications, etc.
Submitted by other on June 04, 2011

The school hired an expensive law firm to bully its neighbors; they continue with the same mentality as when I was a student there. A good place to go for kids that are in trouble and need to be trained as worker bees.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2011

I will have both my children at La Salle next Year. We are very pleased with the academic of the school and it has been a wonderful experience.