Parras (Nick G.) Middle School

200 North Lucia Avenue

School District

Redondo Beach Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Redondo Beach 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 August 21, 2024

It's a mixed bag here, some teachers are amazing while some are not. The administration (school principal) is horrible and does not know how to run a school and it is difficult to get any response from the school. It's too bad because the school has a lot of potential, it wasn't always like this.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2024

My son was placed on a reading development class, but I was not informed until three months later. The school claims they monitor cell phone use in class, but they don't, it varies by teachers. There are some teachers that are nice, but some will retaliate against your kid if you complain. It happened to me, I made a complain and didn't tell my son, months later my son was telling me how the teacher was suddenly rude to him, I connected the dots right away. During teacher-parent conferences teachers don't want to talk with you or barely, for years they kept telling my son was doing fine, but I looked into his school assignments and he could barely write a coherent sentence. As with any CA public school, quality is declining, grade inflation is rampant, students are learning less and less but they pass regardless. I think most parents don't want to believe, but since a lot of parents pay for enrichment classes maybe they don't care and some are just oblivious. I have seen many parents with bright kids trying to suggest changes to RBUSD, they give up and move to private schools/homeschool or move out . Private schools are not better, but they seem to fare better.
Submitted by student on January 15, 2019

My experience with this school has been a fun and enjoyable time. Homework is light and reasonable. Teachers here are experienced and interactive with students. Facilities are well maintained and have a great design. Activities are fun and a great experience. Overall, I would highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2018

We left this school in the middle of the school year in a previous year. It is my experience that the administration at the school and district level are poor to mediocre, and do not have a growth mindset. Leaders and many staff lack self-reflection, critical thinking, character, and a passion for youth development and education.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2018

Parras is the best! First, the campus is beautiful and has been tastefully improved over the years. The education students get is top notch with the most innovative strategies! They have advisory period, block schedule, and intervention programs in place. I’m a teacher of 12 years in a neighboring district and am envious of all the happenings at this school. Their scores and list of awards are incredible. Leadership when Dr. Nygren was there was the best—he’s a mastermind and truly leads that school. He’s also so fair and honest—with a upbeat attitude and awesome sense of humor. Back to School Night isn’t the same without him. Teachers and counselors are great too!
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2015

This school is amazing and my kids definitely love it. Staff is amazing, learning environment is amazing all I can say is amazing
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2014

Please disregard the older, negative reviews. My daughter is in 6th grade and her transition from elementary school has been effortless. The staff and administration go out of their way to be welcoming and supportive. All of her teachers are outstanding, engaged educators. The PE program and music program are rigorous and fun at the same time. Students are encouraged to advocate for themselves, becoming responsible learners and not relying on parents to intervene with the teachers (life skills!). We couldn't ask for anything more in a middle school. Period.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2014

My son got a 600 Star Test! Thank You! I love this School 10 out of 10!
Submitted by other on September 10, 2014

I posted the last post... But anyway I have been reading and I do agree. The principal tries to make the school fun for us but it doesn't work. During our assembly's it's a snore. I mean I like them because they waste learning time for about 20-30 minutes. I am in 7th now but homework is insanely stressful they expect to much from us from all of our reports and homework from other classes they don't understand that we spend 2-3 hours (or more) on doing projects, studying, and homework. The situations you bring to them they don't seem to care. The counselors are very nice but don't do anything about racism, cursing, and very un-participational teachers. It seems that we run the school more than the teachers do. They have little to no interest if we fail or get good grades they just tell us to try harder and if you get to many bad grades you can't do fun activities which is... Especially with the ones with learning disorders the campus doesn't seem to try to help them and they get really bad grades because they won't understand anything. I am switching to Adams, or Da Vinci. I want to say, I hope you make the right choice in choosing a good middle school for your child.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2014

I am an educator at another school district of nearly 20 years, and although I searched around for alternative options before deciding on our neighborhood school, Parras Middle School, I can't tell you how impressed I am with this school. It is everything you could want from a school, in my opinion. Staff, kids, education, extra curricular, parental support, my kids love it. They don't like the homework, but that is the system of schools anywhere you go. The principal and AP, the library, the gym and sports, the counselor, the music teacher, the plays, the parents and kids, the quality of education. This is as good as it gets- I don't volunteer at the school, but I should- it is amazing!
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2014

The administration is very poor, they do no listen nor care with any issue. The AP is very naive and doesn't what she is doing. The principal is very money minded, has a short fuse and very anti-social towards the students and parents, I have seen him in action. This school would succeed with a whole new team of administrators.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2014

The school principal will take a student out of school before the student can enroll in another.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2014

Parras was a good school. It's been several years since I've had a child there. The current principal was an assistant when we were there and he's a bright guy. The facility is decent. Some of the teachers are just clueless (I could start a list, but why bother).
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2013

Parras Middle School is outstanding. Dr. Nygren is all about the children and learning environment. The school is run efficiently and it is obvious that the staff cares. While there is challenges in every environment, the root issues are considered and addressed rather than putting a band aid on the problem. Kids are academically challenged and there are many opportunities for growth.
Submitted by other on May 23, 2013

I am very happy my granddaughter is able to attend Parras Middle School. The teachers, office staff, and classes are wonderful and perfect for my granddaughter. She is very bright and has always been bored with school, but has been challenged in her advanced classes there. She loves education and sees no advantage for summer vacation as she would rather be in a learning enviornment!! This school has allowed her to work up to her potential. No other school has done this for her, not even private school!! My hat goes off to Parras Middle School and their staff!! She has flourished in academics and ASB. A Loving Grandparent.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2013

This school is terrible! The academic are not very good! The teachers seem to have little or no passion. The administration really doesn't want feedback from parents. Kids are cheating during test. The kids that need a challenge are doing the standard work. The GATE program is a joke. There are so many kids in GATE because the standards are so low. Honor Roll is another joke. What happened to the 4.0 Honors criteria? Where does all the money I spend in Property taxes go? I wish this school had a program to challenge the really bright kids. --concerned parent--
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2013

My child has learned a lot while attending Parras. However race is a major factor and it starts as soon as you check in if your African American. The school has NO tutoring programs. Great school for a child to catch up, but be prepared to see bad grades.
Submitted by other on December 03, 2012

I hated Parras! Every kid was racist and said mean words to me. The teachers and pricipal always blame me for everything and are feelingless and terrible. I recently moved to Adams up north in Redondo Beach. There are a lot of programs like WEB (where everybody belongs) which made me feel welcome on my first day the teachers are nice and open to help me and the principal makes me feel welcome because he always gives me a good morning. I hope you make the right choice of where to enroll your child going to middle school. GO ADAMS EAGLES!!!
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2012

Bullying, racism and nobody cares!!! Teachers and administration pretend not to see what is going on!
Submitted by other on November 16, 2010

This school is good. the teachers are strict but they really prepare you for high school. The kids are considerate and there is not that much DRUG use.