Taper Avenue Elementary School

1824 Taper Ave.

School District

Los Angeles Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for Los Angeles 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 other on February 21, 2024

Teachers and administration are not responsive to concerns regarding bullying and harassment. Front office staff are incredibly condescending. I have been spoken to in a high pitched mocking tone more than once. Academically they are educating their students way below grade level. If you move to this area and this is your assignment school, you’d be better off finding a charter, private or homeschool. I’m sure your student would learn more in absolutely any other environment or school. Avoid at all cost!
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2018

My son has attended Taper for the past two school years and we are happy to be back for our third year here. The school parents are very involved and fundraising is super easy. All the parents want to give and do whatever we can for our student, but also their classmates. I have not had any bad experiences, and when we did have bullying I received a personal call from the principal ensuring it wouldn't happen again. My son feels safe here, and as a parent I can breathe easier.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2018

Taper is a fantastic and welcoming place for all students and community members. The teachers care about students and it really shows.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2017

Great experience since my kids are in kindergarten. Now in second grade and I love every teacher they’ve had. Principal is always concerned of the safety of the students.
Submitted by other on November 17, 2016

when I went to school here bening smart was praised by your teaches but not by you other stundent I was left out and had to tranfer schools I went to Park Western and it way sway better
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2016

My son started coming here in kindergarten he is now in fourth grade going on to the fifth grade. My son has grown in so many areas it's incredible to see him progress he loves coming here the parents and staff are so involved with so many activities and projects. My daughter will be coming here this year for kindergarten I'm so excited!!
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2014

I am very upset at the management that is currently going on in the Taper cafeteria. My 2nd grader informed me today that the entire student body was served a cold cheese sandwich. I find this hugely unacceptable. My daughter attends Park Western and has never had any issues with her lunches. Cold cheese sandwich is reserved for kids who forget their lunch money, or who have no money in their lunch accounts. It is NOT the equivalent of a hot lunch. Last year the children were served cold cheese sandwiches for 3 days. The person in charge of ordering lunches was away so they simply were not ordered. In K my son was given a very close haircut by a fellow student. The male teacher told me he thought it was a "bad haircut" and had not noticed the drastic changes on my child's head. In 1st, my son fell off the big toy and was NOT sent to the nurse. Teacher: "He didn't fall from very high up." Well, my son broke his arm. She didn't even tell me he even fell. Principal's lack of attention to the cafeteria s daily operations is a major issue, but not a surprise. For many children, school is the only place they are guaranteed a hot meal. SAD.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2013

Every single aspect of Taper is been wonderful, as a mother I look always for great teachers and safe environment for my child, and we are so happy to be part of TAPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

Taper Avenue Elementary is the school I wish I had been able to go to when I was younger. My son has been lucky enough to go their since the 1st grade. He is currently in the 3rd grade, and every year has been made special by activities that are targeted for each grade level. The teachers are all exceptional!!! and the staff is always friendly and helpful. Because of how hard these teachers work we are also an API 900 school.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

I am so proud to say that my kids are students at Taper Avenue Elementary, it's a fabulous school! First of all, the Principal Mrs. Steinbach is an amazing leader. She leads by example, and is very encouraging and thoughtful when interacting with the students at Taper. The teachers are friendly, helpful and eager to see their students succeed. I personally have had the pleasure of experiencing Mrs. DiStefano, Ms. Okano, Mrs. Graff, Mrs. Ellis, Mrs. Philipopoulis & Mrs. Forsyth as teachers for my children attending Taper ~ and every one of them have been a pleasure to work with in ensuring my boys success in their studies! I look forward to the years to come at Taper, and will be so sad when my boys graduate & we have to leave such a positive, nurturing, welcoming, fulfilling environment. I can recommend Taper wholeheartedly to anyone looking for a phenomenal school in the South Bay Area!
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2013

I am forever happy with the choice I made to send my son to Taper Avenue Elementary. The school is clean, well laid out, organized, with easy parking, and easy drop off. A big "THANKS" to the PTO volunteers, who direct traffic every morning, assisting the children out cars, and safely into the school. The teachers and staff all have years of experience and the spirit of the school is cooperative and friendly. Parents are involved, encouraged, and welcome to participate in various activities: fund raising; art to grow on; reading with kids; helping the teacher in the class; going on field trips; etc. There is art, music and dance, as well as PE, library, and computer lab. I can't say enough good things about the Principal, Mrs. Steinbach. Her amazing quiet strength is the glue that holds it all together. Available, personable, wonderful with kids. She is a problem solver, who is able to multitask and adapt to each situation as it arises. She is delightful, and the school reflects her thoughtful and intelligent guidance.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2013

Love, love, love this school. The staff is wonderful. The teachers are wonderful and the parents are wonderful. I work in another very affluent school district but keep choosing to keep my kids at Taper for the wonderful education they are getting. Principal Steinbach is very warm and welcoming and the kids love her. I would highly recommend this school. The kids every year have really neat projects they get to work on and have fun, competitive educational challenges like the "Reading Counts" programs along with their Spelling Bees and Geography Bees. They offer great programs like the "Art to Grown On" program and an amazing Choir program. I just can't say enough about the school and all those involved. I am so lucky to have 2 boys there now and one that graduated with a 4.0. You can't ask for a better school!
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2013

The teachers at Taper educate the child as a whole person, not just a pupil or "test score". They are constantly instilling values, leadership, equality, and respect for one another. This, combined with a 922 API proves the results from their dedication. My daughter has Mrs. Graff, and she is amazing at what she does. I have heard great things about all of the kinder teachers as well. The principal is approachable and goes above and beyond to ensure safety on campus. I did my research, and am so happy to have my children at Taper Avenue. It is a privilege to be surrounded by caring families, and teachers who truly care. If you are choosing a school in San Pedro schools based on the highest test scores alone, it would help to know that PARKING is never an issue at Taper Avenue, as it is at the other top performing schools. There is a student drop off that is organized by the amazing PTO. When you are a busy mom or dad, this is priceless!! They work very hard to make our days a little easier, and I am grateful. There is not any morning madness, thanks to the PTO.
Submitted by other on November 02, 2010

It is a great school. My grandson goes there.
Submitted by other on November 01, 2010

I love this school because my nephew loves it!
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2010

I DONT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN!! Taper was reccomended by someone I knew. I disregarded their lower API scores in comparison Park Western. In addition to that, they were the only school in the area that had a Kindergarten Magnet class. So i decided to enroll my daughter. It was the worst experience I could have ever imagined. Considering I am a bi-racial person(African American and Caucasian, I never look for racism, however, it resonated throughout the entire school campus. Taper's teachers and staff never looked me in the eyes, or acknowledged me as a parent at their school. I immediately realized that my child's teacher had an issue with African Americam children. she never acknowledged my child with rewards of recognition or praise,but told me she was doing great. The prinnciple and magnet cordinator was a joke and wouldnt give me a copy of the Gate Plan. So SAD!!
Submitted by parent on July 14, 2010

Less than one star. Moved from Northern Cali and were disgusted with the low quality education and elementary school experience this school provides our second child, while the first one got top notch education in a public school up north. The parents here have obviously very low expectations of what a school should be and what a child should take away as part of their education. Wake up - the school has the worst, most condescending teachers who are not qualified, the first grade teacher couldn't answer the simplest North America geography question and half of them can't spell.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2010

We have moved recently from Seattle to San Pedro and we were wery concerned about finding the right school for our 8 yr old daughter. After enrolling her into Taper Elementary we did not really know what to expect , being new to the area and the neighborhood. It has been now 4-5 months since she started second grade here at Taper and she has already been a student of the month, continues to be a good student and continues to progress and show discipline. That only comes as a result of great Teaching and that is what Taper is all about. We are very grateful to everyone at Taper Elementary and our daughter loves it and is making friends now. Thank you Taper Elementary
Submitted by student on January 22, 2010

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Submitted by parent on January 25, 2008

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