Riviera Elementary School

365 Paseo De Arena

School District

Torrance Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for Torrance 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 October 14, 2021

I have a daughter who graduated from RES and a boy that is still attending. We feel very blessed and supported by the school and the community of RES. We have found each teacher has their own style, but most, if not all to be genuinely caring to their students. My two kids have polar opposite personalities and before he started K at RES, our daycare expected my son to behave the same as my daughter (introvert and docile) and they were surprised at my son's opposite personality and have had on occasion viewed him as a "problem child", luckily he had the support of other childcare teachers. So we were apprehensive when it was time for him to start at RES. Upon chatting to Mrs. Forshey, she immediately understood and helped us placing my son with a suitable K teacher, and he is now in 4th grade and absolutely loves RES and all his teachers as my daughter did. Mrs. Forshey's leadership and personality really foster a loving environment for all the children and teachers make us feel very blessed. Highly recommended!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2019

We’ve been blessed to have our son and daughter who are 18 months apart in age, enrolled in Riviera! They have thrived in this school and their knowledge is above average in comparison to their peers that are enrolled in LAUSD schools.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2014

My daughter is in her 4th year at this school and loves it. The only complain is the class size. But you have it at every public school thanks to the budget cuts.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

Everything is great about RES. We feel blessed both of our girls are attending this school at Torrance. We have been living at Torrance since 6 months ago and we got lucky our girls were accepted at RES. Mrs. Forshey seems to love her job very much. She seems to always enjoy whatever she is up to. Her leadership is working well since the school management is always smooth.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

Please note that 10 or the last 11 reviews (all amazingly positive) were done on/near 9/27/13.... hmmmm .... PTA board members perhaps a day or 2 before the School Site Council meeting on 9/30? Typical of our experience at Riivera. There is a select few privileged parents (including the teachers w/ students at the school) whom get all of the great teachers. The dregs are left for anyone who EVER questioned the principal's decisions. There is so much potential at this school -- an amazing PTA, committed parents, but the office personnel, led by a politically-proned principal, keeps it from being so.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

My children are in 3rd grade and so far, we have no complaints about the school. I love the friendly family environment. The community as a whole is very supportive and fun. The education has been fantastic too. Despite statewide budget cuts, the PTA has supplemented the curriculum to include art, music, science lab, technology lab...all the things that are being cut elsewhere are going strong at Riviera.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

I've had kids at Riviera since 2007 and still have a 2nd grader. What's so amazing about Riviera Elementary School is its incredibly strong PTA. The cooperative involvement from the teachers, parents and school board has gone a long way evidenced by the amazing achievements our school has made through California's rough economic environment of the last 7 years. Riviera continues to make amazing strides in educating our children and providing a caring environment for the best enrichment of our children. The number of programs that the PTA has provided our children over the years is second to none, nutrition, music, art, computer and science labs, Spark PE classes, to name a few. The parents who volunteer their time and energy to assist in the classrooms is a testament to the teachers and the principal who constantly encourage us and our children. I wouldn't live anywhere else in the South Bay. The Hollywood Riviera offers us an amazing educational opportunity for the children who will be our future! You too will love Riviera Elementary!
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

This is our 6th year at Riviera and we'll be here for several more. We couldn't be happier. The teachers make every effort to get to know your child as an individual and the principal knows the kids by name. Every teacher we have had has welcomed direct parent involvement in the classroom, so you can see the classroom environment for yourself. The curriculum is rigorous and engaging. There is a very active PTA that provides a lot of fantastic programs to pick up the slack in areas that state funding no longer provides for (music, art, PE, library, etc). There is an iPad lab, computer lab, and science lab that children visit weekly. The school also has many events for the whole family - Movie Night, restaurant nights, beach cleanup, etc. Also, if you need before or after school care, there is a YMCA child care center right on campus. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Riviera to any family moving to the area.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

I am amazed that there are ANY negative reviews about Riviera! There are the obvious things that folks look at like test scores and demographic make-up of a school and a district. What most don't consider or talk about is the "experience" that kids have in elementary school. Of course, the mechanics of learning, the content, and the manner in which it is taught is of paramount importance, and Riviera does an excellent job in this respect. Sure, some teachers may not be the ideal instructor for your child or do things the way you or I might do things, but it is unrealistic to think that 100% of all teachers at a school are "perfect" or a "perfect" fit for every kid. But the environment and experiences that elementary-aged children receive is also critical to a healthy learning environment. Riviera provides those experiences every day. It is a positive, nurturing environment for kids to succeed and my two kids are a testament to that. It also appears most of the folks who have given "negative" reviews to Riviera have not seem to take an active role in their child's education, which is also an important factor in the failure or success of the educational process. Riviera is AWESOME!
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

We moved to this area 7 years ago in hopes that our 3 year old would attend an elementary school with strong academics as the focus . My daughter has attended Riviera since Kinder and has just started her 4th grade year. We are so blessed to have found such a hidden GEM! The teachers, support staff and PTA are AMAZING! With public schools systems growing in class sizes, it amazes me that every teacher including the principal knows every child on a first name basis (including my little one.. a future Roadrunner). Riviera has not only provided an exceptional academic career for my daughter, but has done so in a loving manner. My daughter has two families the one at home and the one at Riviera.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

Amazing! I have 3 children and 1 completed K-5 at Riviera and the other 2 are still there. Riviera is an excellent school with a wonderful staff and administration. I am very thankful for this neighborhood gem and the top notch education that my children have received and continue to receive.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

We have 3 children who have attended Riviera and all 3 of them have had amazing experiences there. Yes, we have suffered through state budget and class size issues, but the teachers, principal and PTA have all worked together in making the education experience a thriving one. We are so thankful for the all the programs that are offered. Our children's memories will forever be filled with dancing at Spark PE, movie nights, star gazing, craft fairs and the wonderful friends they have made. We absolutely recommend Riviera to anyone new considering it!
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

We are starting our third year at Riviera Elementary School, and are so impressed by the commitment to quality education by the teachers and staff, as well as the super supportive PTA that provides so many extra opportunities for our son. It is a wonderful community of people led by a very caring and dedicated Principal.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

Riviera is an AMAZING school on so many levels. Despite budget cuts at the state level, our teachers provide the best learning environment around. Our Principal is hands-on, knows every child by name and is a huge supporter of the PTA. The PTA is the BEST...bar none! Not only do we raise money for programs (music, science, ipads, art, library, field trips, assemblies, nutrition, chorus, etc), we also fund part-time teachers to help battle larger class sizes - by providing small group instruction. Riviera also participates in and puts on community events such as a Holiday Craft Fair, Annual Family Movie Night, Skechers Walk, Valentines to Veterans, International Fair, Beach Clean-up Day, and more! My three sons have all attended Riviera (my youngest is in 4th grade) and it's so sad to read negative comments about this school. I am constantly on campus and what I see are happy, smiling, learning children who are being provided a well-rounded education, who are consistently performing at high levels and who are supported by a wonderful staff, a hard-working group of volunteers and a loving community! I highly recommend Riviera to you and your family!
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

We have 3 children who are either still attending or attended Riviera Elementary. It is a great school with a very positive atmosphere of learning. I read through the previous posts with negative remarks and can say that I have had a very different experience. Riviera is a great Torrance school! We are proud of the teachers and staff here.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2013

We recently relocated into the area. We read the reviews online and we were of mixed opinion about the school. We enrolled our son and have been very happy with the school and our sons teacher. Our son is learning so much more than his school back home, and the structure of the school is great too. The lady Amy in the office has been very friendly and helpful and his first grade teacher seems very switched on and attentive to individuals progress. We hope the school continues to impress and so far we would recommend Riviera Elementary to parents considering enrolling their children.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2012

We have complted 3 years at Riviera Elementary school, unfortunately its hit and miss regarding teachers. My daughters teacher refused to meet with me after we received a concerning mid semester report. Then when I continued to insist on speaking with the teacher I was treated in a hostile manner and the teacher refused any direct communications for the rest of the year. I was considered "hostile" because I then requested a room change even though it was the teacher who initiated what I consider hostile behavior by refusing to speak with me without insistence and behaved very defensively although I had NEVEr spoken with her before. When we asked for a classroom change we were told we could leave, the principle enabled the teacher's unprofessional behavior. I have also spoken with other parents who are afraid of speaking up because they are concerned they will be treated as "trouble makers". Whereas other parents literally seem to "run amok". an interesting mix to be sure. I am taking my daughter out of this school. Now I hear my daughter telling her friends that she never had such a bad year, because of the toxic environment the teacher created.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2012

Our family recently moved to this area from out of state. We have had a wonderful experience at Riviera Elementary. I was very concerned when we started about the class size. My daughter is one of 30 kids in her class. The teacher does such a great job with the class, though, that it has not been an issue. In fact, my daughter has excelled since she has had to work more independently. The curriculum is more challenging than what we had at our previous school, which is a good thing. My daughter looks forwarded to going to school everyday. She has had lots of opportunities after school to explore artistic interests like art, music and theatre, all without leaving campus. She has been able to receive speech therapy for her articulation issues that she did not qualify for at her previous school. I would recommend this school to anyone.