Richard E. Byrd Middle School

8501 Arleta Ave.

School District

Los Angeles Unified
Grade

6-8
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 student on December 12, 2022

So, I would've give two stars for effort but the reason I'm giving three stars are because of the people I've met (like friends). Most teachers don't really encourage you, they just instruct you and if they do encourage you it'll most of the time be in a rude way you know? I've actually heard some teachers say stuff like "You're going to fail in life if you can't do math." I have to say though, there are those teachers who are chill. But it's a very few quantity. I recently met the magnet coordinator, he's really nice! So is Ms. Amesola. You can tell she really tries to interact and make everybody feel welcome and comfortable inside her amazing classroom. I'm sure there are some I haven't met yet though. There are lots of fights. Kids are always doing suspicious things in the bathrooms. Please have more staff around there. I hate going in there and having a such awful, strong, smell going inside my nostrils (and no I'm not talking about those NORMAL type of bathroom smells.) To know that people around my age find that to be their only escape is sad. I feel bad because most of us come from very difficult home lives and sometimes we have no one to talk to at home. School is basically our second home and should feel like one. Yes. there are counselors kids can go to but I know that most feel that's not an option. The school really needs to interact more. There are classes I've had where we're expected to learn by only watching videos in class. Without any interactivity. Many of us start to fall asleep after a while of trying to memorize every single thing without help. We sometimes still pass because the answers are most of the time given to us by the instructors. I know this knowledge connects to more knowledge in high school yet we can't have it. These are things we're supposed to know already. I'd encourage you to study it on your own if you can, I'm sorry if you have to do that. It really shouldn't feel like you're the only one you can count on. But please don't over exhaust yourself. Dedicate time to yourself too and find things you like. Discover yourself. This is your life, mind, body, and soul. You're in control. Never forget that. You don't find destiny. You make it. As for me, I'll spend my last year in middle school with authenticity and making the most of it because I know I'll never be thirteen again. Oh and please don't worry about love right now. Trust me, it's not time yet haha. Build strong bonds instead.
Submitted by student on May 22, 2022

This school is a complete mess police come every week because staff or teachers can't control their students. Kids have been fighting, crowds and way worse but don't even think it would let me say it but I don't even know if you should bring your kids but teachers are great there (so are not) but the pros on this school they have many programs for kids after school and there is chalk festival, leadership and more but this is my first year here and so far so good and bad.
Submitted by student on July 02, 2019

This school is sooo amazing!! As a student here i loved it!! I was in BHA and it was amazing .. BHA arent rivals.. BHA is for honor students that have proof from their elemantary and a reputation of being well behaved. MAGNET is good too.LAPD is infront of the school. And in any emergency drill , it is taken seriously like if it was real. I recommend giving this school a try , FOR REAL . And ignore the ratings in the top of the page (3/10).
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2018

Bad experince i had to wait an hour in office just to talk to the 6 grade counselor
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2017

Staff are very rude. Teachers act as if they are just there for a paycheck. School is completely unorganized.
Submitted by other on July 27, 2014

I was a magnet student in byrd. Byrd was an OK school ,but not the best.What i didnt like about this school is that there were a lot of fights during lunch. I had a staff member at the school act very rude to my parents, I was really upset and disappointed. Hopefully that doesn't happen again.
Submitted by other on July 12, 2014

I go to this school and honestly they at trouble maker that make it difficult for the other students to learn and teacher to teach luckily I am in the BHA BYRDS HUMANITIES ACADEMY so most students are well behave
Submitted by other on June 09, 2014

All I have to say is that this school is great and all, but it's the students that make it horrible. I was a student here (graduated in 2012). So many students in classes were so disrespectful to their teachers, and they were very judgemental of their peers who did not "fit in". These brats create their own society and judge the ones who they considered "geeks" or "losers". It's such a pity really. There's always fights there (and the students fight over the most STUPIDEST reasons! I remebered one brutal fight where two girls fought over a guy. Pathetic) and even today. I visit the school sometimes to see my cousin, and I still see all of this trash happening. The school should focus more on their students rather than their reputation.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2014

The traffic at this school is ridiculous and very dangerous. I made a complaint to the principle telling her they need a cross guard and police presence but her attitude towards the situation was nonchalant.. If this woman does not care about the safety of her student then what else does she not care about, makes me question how she runs this school..
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2014

As a parent I have to say that I am very disappointed in this school. My son has a IEP but NOT at all due to any behavior issues, I was always concerned that because he scores low academically he would be placed in a classroom with kids with behavior issues...and that is exactly what happened...The kids in his classroom don't even respect the teacher...There is lots of name calling. I talked to the counselor which was very nice but the situation seemed to only get worse because they think my son is "telling". He says other kids get bullied too, backpacks stolen, food stolen etc. And besides all of this they have a really BAD schedule where kids start off their school day in 4th period. then they go to 1st 2nd etc. but they have flip days where you start at 4th period then go to 3rd 2nd 1st. Really cant they at least just call 4th period 1st if that is where they always start. There classroom numbers are ridiculous too, they have numbers such as 1202. So on the first day of school, of say a 6th grader it is extremely confusing for kids and parents, and some classrooms cant be seen because you have to walk into a classroom to realize that there are classes within. Ridiculous!
Submitted by other on January 03, 2014

This school has great teachers that really do all they are allowed and can do to help students excel in their classes and themselves. The school has a variety of electives to choose from: music, foreign language: Spanish, computers, creative writing, Teacher's Assistant, Leadership... The P.E teachers has a great system of management and plans for their students that students actually enjoy. Also, worth-the-time activities are in store, annually, for students who has good grades and tries for good grades and helpful tutoring from teachers and counselors for students who are in need of help.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2013

This is my son first year and so far he has great teachers! He has improved his academic skills.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2012

My child just started this year. But so far so good with the communication between the parents and teachers..... Like the respect that the school staff shows the parents...........
Submitted by other on August 02, 2012

I Just Culminated From this School . Class Of '12 This isn't necessarily " The Best " School ever . But it's a GREAT School . I have attended this school All 3 years , & It was memorable . There is now an academy & your child will be able to have a better opportunity . But i PROMISE your Child will love this school . But everything depends on THEM , they can have all wonderful years by focusing in their studies & stay away from drama or they can ditch & not culminate . But the staff here are nice & will give you many chances for you to succeed . as the motto says " BYRD IS BEST " . I would recommend this school (:
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2012

This is the worst middle school in all California! The principal is extremely rude. She doesn't care of all the bullying thats is going on in that school. Students record themselves fighting inside school grounds and post them up online. I recently had a conversation with the principal when my 7th grade daughter brought some cupcakes to school. Several students like her brought cupcakes and other fast food. A student in her school approached my daughter and damaged her cupcakes. After that happened the principal saw her with the cupcakes and took them away,(HER RULES ) My daughter was going to tell her what had happened with the cupcakes and she completely ignored her. I talked to the principal of all this and she didn't care. To all the parents to are reading these reviews send your son/daughter to a school where your children will be safe and respected. Any school is much better than this one!
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2012

I have read a few reviews parents have written and I completely agree that the principal of this school is rude and only cares about getting paid. The school is very unsafe their are fights almost everyday. In the morning you can never find anyone in the 6th or 7th grade office to help you. The times that I called the school I can never get hold of anyone. When my daughter was recieving an award for improving on her CSt scores, the award ceremony was awful. Kids were talking and the principal threaten them that if they weren't quiet they would all get detention. Some kids were booing when other kids were receiving awards. The principal said nothing. During the ceremony i was moved twice, which really upsetted me because I'm a disabled and was sitting in a disabled sitting area.