Marshall Fundamental School

990 Allen Avenue

School District

Pasadena Unified
Grade

6-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:25
Type

public

School Map for Pasadena Unified 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 March 01, 2024

This school has been nothing but trouble since my child has entered. The principal is incompetent with handling the delinquent kids that cause issues for the rest of the students. They continue to harrass faculty/teachers and other students because they only get warnings. The stories my kid tells me on a daily about how these kids treat their teachers and get away with it is very troubling. There is always some drama occurring on a weekly basis. Whether it be a fight, a fire, or bullying, I entered my child into this school because my husband went to this school years ago and stated it was great when he went. Unfortunately, that is no longer the reality. Please reconsider putting your kid into this school if you don't want to deal with bullies, arson, drugs, and lack of care from the principal. Kids could care less about her as well from what I've heard. Many parents have issues with the way she's been managing the school as well. They are way too complacent with kids who are continuous troublemakers along with the parents of these kids.I also blame the parents of these delinquent kids for not interfering with these issues they continuously cause.And for PUSD district? Do better. This is exactly the reason why you're losing students by the day to private schools. Lack of faculty, complacency, and incompetence. The district punishes you now if your kids miss school too much. Well, maybe if you guys didn't have such harsh rules/punishment about not going to school for a cough, a sniffle, or even to avoid bullying. Kids wouldn't have to miss so much. I know its because they're hurting for money and can't receive any more funding unless they punish the parents for their kids not going to school to get that payout. They are disciplining for the wrong things.The moment they started treating schools as a business vs. focusing on education is why places like Marshall are no longer a viable option for education.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2023

Marshall provides a private school caliber education at a public school price. Ranked 212 of all California High Schools and #1 in PUSD by US News & World Report. Signature program of AP classes, including AP Capstone Diploma. Strong all-female administration team. Excellent teachers and engaged families. Strong sports teams, including CIF girls soccer champions. Strong arts programs, including visual and performing arts. 6th - 12th grade model allows students to transition seamlessly into high school and allows teachers and administrators to really get to know students.
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2022

Marshall has gone down hill over the past few years. The new principal does not seem interested in addressing problems on campus. The honors classes are fine but the on level classes have major behavior issues with students. I do not believe students are treated fairly at Marshall and we have begun to feel like the school is unsafe. My daughter is transferring next year to CSarts and the change cannot come fast enough!
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2021

We love Marshall very much. Both my son and daughter has been here, and my son just graduated. All AP classes helped my kids a lot to gain college credits and excellent foundation with organized curriculum offers students great path to success. Both my kids love Marshall. We appreciate Dr. Anderson's hard work and all the staff with their dedication specially during 2020 with Covid-19. The school helped a lot with online education and my kids never missed anything. We are so happy we chose Marshall!
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2019

Our family loves Marshall Fundamental. After coming from another school where my child was bullied terribly, he has had a wonderful experience at Marshall fitting in. He has become involved in so many activities. Teachers & staff are hard working. Marshall has been great
Submitted by student on May 31, 2018

My experience was good but a lot of other students get bullied or excluded and have no friends simply because of there social status or race. Its not white kids being racist to black kids everyone is super hypersensitive and racist towards everyone else.
Submitted by other on August 01, 2017

I graduated from Marshall back in 2014, having attended both middle and high school there. Marshall brags about having a large quantity of AP students especially during junior and senior years, but the truth is that only happens because teachers teach double the AP classes. There's this program called Puente which some students take during 9th and 10th grade. Instead of teaching with the standardized english textbooks, their teachers use books, 90% of the time pertaining to problems associated with the Hispanic population. Then once they reach 11th grade, these students are granted slots in AP classes. I want to clarify I'm Hispanic, but never though it was fair we worked hard in honor classes (history,english, and science )while those students were just granted slots due to completion of Puente (english)which was less rigorous than our english honors classes. These students were granted slots not only in AP English, but AP science and history as well. Second, if your child isn't an AP student they practically don't matter to the administration. My friend and I took 3D art together 11th grade. We both had the same counselor.The school year was ending and counselors started calling students in. I still hadn't taken the SAT and my counselor lectured me about it. She gave me a fee waiver and calendar with the dates the test was administered. I told her the colleges I was interested in. When I went back to class my friend wanted to know what was the paper I was holding. I told her it was an SAT fee waiver. She looked surprise, she said the counselor never talked to her about SAT, didn't ask if she already took it or if she needed a fee waiver. That she only asked her if she was going to PCC, she gave an affirmative response then she gave her her classes for next year and that was it. She took regular classes and had good grades. Every child deserves the SAME resources and attention, regardless if their special needs, regular or AP.
Submitted by student on April 09, 2017

I graduated from Marshall in 2014. I was in AP classes and had some good teachers, basically only the English department is decent, the math and science is terrible. My parents had to save money so I could take private school classes at Poly and St Francis in math and science to get a better foundation. Marshall did a horrible job preparing me for college! I reviewed straight A's and only had 3 B's my whole time at Marshall, yet I am greatly struggling in college because compared to my other classmates I'm not on level in math. In addition, the principal, Dr. Anderson, is terrible. He is all about himself and not about the students. I'm really disappointed in PUSD. I wish I had gone to private school instead.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2016

Fabulous teachers! We came from a private school and our son just started his first year in high school. We are so impressed with the teachers, the principal and the staff. They push the students to learn and succeed. The school is very diverse and academically challenging!
Submitted by other on September 07, 2016

I am a parent of a student with speacial needs. Apparently at Marshall if your not in any AP classes you don't matter. If you are in speacial ed. then you really don't matter. I was once proud to call my son a Marshall Eagle, that is no longer! The principal has lost so many sdc teachers and gen ed teacher due to his pompous, self righteous attitude. I wish Marshall the best. I am more than disgusted this year with his changes! How can we teach our children compassion for kids with speacial needs, when there is discrimination starting with the principal. Sad but true!
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2015

My daughter has ans excellent classroom teacher. The rigorous focus on academics is challenging for her and she is a capable student.
Submitted by other on June 11, 2015

We just finished our second year at Marshall Fundamental and I can't imagine being anywhere else. This school works from the top down - the principal, the assistant principals, teachers, nurses, security, to the amazing librarian. They all work together to teach our children respect while offering the very best education. The continuity from grades 6-12 gives our children an understanding of what is expected of them. Programs that start at 6th through graduation offer our kids a chance to grow and learn. It is the reason our music programs are the best. And the 6-12 experience brings a commitment from parents as well as kids. We have great volunteer parents and lots of opportunities no matter what your interest. The awards Marshall receives are so varied and demonstrate the many opportunities for our students. Can't wait for the next 5 years. It's a good day to be a Marshall Eagle!
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2015

Marshall is a school filled with diversity and opportunity. What makes this special is that with its diverse population it provides a path for more students to be successful. It’s Academy for Creative Industries (ACI) College and Career Pathways is one of those areas. ACI was new to Marshall in the 2014 – 2015 school year. It is a college and career pathway that lays the groundwork for students with interest in performing arts, visual arts, and 3d printing. This academy extends student learning and interest and has promise for the success of more students, the school, and the careers that lie ahead. This in addition to the Advance Placement (AP) studies, clubs, and athletics makes Marshall a place where more students can thrive. As a parent of a middle and high school student our experiences thus far have been solid. As it is often said, “Eagles soar”.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

Marshall is a friendly and well-organized school for its size and provides education for over 2,000 students from 6th through 12th grade. College prep designed courses start in 6th grade, music programs are very strong and staff always seems available to answer questions.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

First month at school. Daughter is in Honors 7th Grade. She didn't receive any of her text books till the 3rd week. Her gym locker was broken into and her scooter was stolen. Just giving you the facts.
Submitted by other on January 09, 2013

Wow, where do I begin? A few years ago I left a review on this page (I was a freshman at the time) and now i'm a senior. Yes, a senior can you believe it? The years have gone by so fast. Faster than expected actually. I have been here since the 7th grade and have loved this school since. I've met so many amazing friends that have now become family and teachers that all genuinely care about me and my education. It's been rocky along the way but with the help from the Marshall community I was able to get this far. The days are getting closer and closer to the day I graduate, the day that I do graduate I will be proud to say that I graduated an Eagle! We're almost there Class of 2013! Just a little bit longer!:)
Submitted by other on August 05, 2012

Marshall is an amazing school. I am currently going to be in high school this year, and I must say, my middle school experience has been amazing. The teachers actually care about their students and push them to try their hardest. Marshall was the first (and i believe the only) to have and AP Prep class for 6th grade (there are actually 3). The orchestra/band and choir classes are wonderful (I've been in both) the teachers will give you songs that you wouldn't expect to hear from middle school students. The teachers are brilliant. If you are in AP classes, once you start the transition into 7th grade, you get summer homework. It's not always easy, but I like the fact that they give it to us because it keeps you challenged throughout the summer and you continue an education even when you are not in school. The classes are interesting, and the teachers will do whatever they can to help you understand the work that comes along with the class. All in all, I adore Marshall and it's a wonderful school to help prep for college. You don't find "cliques" at Marshall, so being excluded is not an issue, many people are very warm and welcoming to new students. Bullying is scarce. 5/5 stars