Valley School

15700 SHERMAN WAY

Van Nuys, CA 91406

39 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 28, 2023

This review is for the preschool. They accept children from age 2 and assist with potty training. The preschool teachers and staff are absolutely amazing! Our son loves going to school and he loves his teachers. He has grown so much in the last year, he’s talking and telling stories and tells us about his friends and teachers daily! We are so happy with Valley School, the staff really cares about each and every student and it shows. Lunch is also included and it’s different each day and healthy! They also offer breakfast and an afternoon snack. Truly the best kept secret in the Valley!
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2023

My daughter started at Valley in middle school and was welcomed right away by the other students in her class and at the school! The class sizes are very small which allow the children to get more individual attention. The classes are academically challenging and they offer opportunities for the kids to volunteer and do community service. I’m so happy we found Valley! Best decision sending her there!
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2023

Best kept secret in the Valley. The staff and administration are excellent, striking the right balance between academic rigor and social-emotional support for each individual student. The facilities are well kept and from what I've been told, have undergone many physical improvements since the negative reviews from 10 years ago. They are constantly making upgrades and the campus is a comforting atmosphere that promotes learning. My child is currently in middle school there (he attended a different private school for elementary) and we are very happy and highly recommend it.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2020

Amazing! They have done an amazing job with online school and my son has been very engaged.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2018

We have nothing but amazing things to say about this school! Came in 3rd grade from another private school where our daughter wasn't being challenged and the schools focus was more interested in it's celebrity student body than teaching. Valley School has small class sizes and truely cares about learning and teaching the kids to be effective leaders and independent thinkers.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2016

My son is finishing his first year of middle school at Valley and it has been wonderful! He came from a very high performing public elementary school and needed a stimulating environment with small class sizes. We got so much more than we could have ever hoped for! The teachers are amazing and the individual attention that he received has helped him achieve a spot on on the Honor Roll for the entire year. The leadership of Mr. Haddad is very strong and he genuinely cares about each individual child and their success. We love Valley!
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2015

Very strong academics without an overload of homework. There are only 13 kids in my daughters class so her teacher can provide individual attention as needed. I believe this school is one of the best secrets in the valley given the reasonable price, community atmosphere and accessible administration.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2015

Teachers are great they really put a lot of effort in teaching kids. The class is small enough to have the teacher focus on the academic development of each child. I noticed that kids who studied here are academically excellent. They are also very helpful and flexible to parents/parents wihen there is conflict with the schedule.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2014

We have been very happy at Valley School. Our son needed a structured environment like this one, and so far he is thriving here (he is in TK). His teacher, Mrs. Popowich, is outstanding. She is firm, but also warm, and really looks out for the kids individually. She's been working with us on our son's issues, and he is doing things academically that we thought he was many months away from accomplishing. We have also loved the Principal, Mr. Haddad, and his summer camp preschool teacher, Miss Kathy -- really everyone we've encountered there has been lovely. And while they take schoolwork and behavior seriously, there's a nice non-alarmist vibe that has been very refreshing and welcome to us.
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2014

This is a very mediocre private school. Save your money, it is not worth the tuition.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

This is a wonderful place! The academics are superb, the principal amazing and the families are wonderful! I know my child is surrounded by wonderful teachers who care and other children who come from good families and this matters a lot. There are many after school enrichment classes and many events and activities to take part in. This is our oasis in Van Nuys!
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

We are so happy at Valley once again! Our children are flourishing as usual. There is no better feeling when your children run out of your car every morning, looking forward to their day. My daughter and son are challenged daily. There are even more enrichment classes this year including a new drama program which makes us so happy! The school keeps getting better and better!
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2013

Amazing school. The curriculum by far surpasses other schools. The level of education this school provides is off the charts. The kids are a grade level ahead of everyone else. I couldn't imagine going to another school. Best choice made to move schools. VERY family oriented. Everyone is so down to earth, and friendly. All schools should be like this. Small classes, P.E. everyday, Art, Music, Computers, Spanish, Drama, etc.. The parent involvement is wonderful. A+++++
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2013

Hidden gem in the valley. Excellent academics, great teachers, nice kids. Offer spanish already at the elementary school level, art,PE and computers. Lots of afterschool enrichment options. Small class size. Warm and nurturing environment. Newly renovated gymnasium and pool. Graduates get accepted to prestigious high schools. The principal (Mr. Haddad) is extremely involved and caring. Wonderful school. We are excited to be part of the Valley school community!
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2013

I have two children at Valley. One going into TK and one going into 3rd. I am thrilled with the education they are both receiving. My daughter was in a summer program at another private school in the area where she was moved to 4th/5th grade math and science because she was so far ahead of the others in her 3rd grade class. My 4 year old son was barely speaking in Sept. and is now able to speak complete sentences, do very simple math, write letters, numbers and his name. The school is a very close community with really wonderful people who care a lot about their children's education. There are tons of opportunities to get involved and while there are many fundraisers, there is no pressure to take part. People give what they can. I am very active in the PTA and all the parents involved are amazing and really make a difference with their efforts. Mr. Haddad is truly an amazing principal & person who is warm and welcoming. He cares about each and every child and you feel that immediately. The gym floor was redone and the pool resurfaced this year and I know that there are plans to redo the library and computer center. It is truly a wonderful place to have your children!
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2013

My daughter attended Valley School and got a great education from wonderful and memorable teachers. In the years the school has been open, there have NEVER been improvements to the grounds! The administration refuses to pay for anything. ANY improvements made are done so by parent/outside donations. The principal tries to do what he can but has his hands tied by the owners. The teachers make NOMINAL pay and have not had raises in YEARS! Where did my money go, if not to improvement for my daughter's education???
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2013

My child is in seventh grade. We have been here since TK and have been frustrated as the school as gone down hill over the last couple of years. Many quality teachers have left for greener pastures and have been replaced by inferior teachers. Many times another teacher takes over the curriculum of the departed... sadly, even if there heart is in it, they are unqualified to teach a particular subject. The general conditions are a good indicator of the rest of the school. Complaining about the teachers or curriculum falls on deaf ears or devolves into the administration becoming very defensive about said individual. Constructive criticism is not wanted or encouraged. This is the first time on this site and I find it odd that any negative comment is immediately countered by a review addressing them point by point... Why not address the concerns, and fix them with better staff and up-to-date equipment?
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2013

Valley School is a true community. The principal, teachers, and parents all work together to ensure the students receive a high quality education. The passion the teachers have for teaching is evident, with many teachers staying long hours after school to provide additional support for their students, or to attend fundraisers, sporting events, etc. The class sizes are really small, so I know my son is getting individualized attention. My son has loved his time at Valley! If you're going to let one negative person who has the time to write multiple poor reviews that focus on made up or insignificant details sway your decision, then Valley School may not be right for you. I saw a roach once in the STAFF lounge, but I'm not sure what that has to do with my son's education. UCLA is known for the squirrels around campus, but that hasn't stopped it from being the most applied to university in world... The priority is on making sure the students get the attention they need to succeed in school, not on the "social status" that comes from being a part of the Valley School family. If you want teachers who are incredibly passionate, and a great education for your child, then join us! :)
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2013

Lackluster. The school's management staff consists of the founder's family members, with the exception of the principal and the office admin..The family who run the school are lacking passion for education since they inherited it. The principal is passionate but has no power and no asst. principal. The elementary school teachers are good, but the middle school is very stale just like the fundraising. Yesthose who generously give funds to the school never see those dollars put to good use for improvements of the campus or technology. The school lacks the necessary computer network security in order to keep the children from accessing certain websites. Therefore, my child witnessed several students looking at explicit internet content during class time! Secondly, the computer lab is extremely antiquated, just like the instruction, and the software is ancient. Secondly, living in earthquake country, I don't think an exposed fuel pump, located next to the middle school is safe . Where are the safety inspections? Visually, one would know to make this campus safe, a nice chunk of budget is needed. The language program is despicable. Cockroaches always exist in numbers...never one!
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2013

The principal is great but the owners do not care about the school. This is quite evident in the lack of investment in upgrades around campus. The computers look over 10 years old, the library is a mess and there is minimal technology in the classrooms. The Spanish and computer programs need to be relooked at. The kids are barely speaking Spanish by middle school after taking it since Kinder--something is wrong. The computer teacher is a family member who I am concerned is not even experienced enough to be teaching. The music program is barely alive. The school needs upgrading and cleaning. And yes, there are roaches all over the place. There are MANY parents who can attest to that. I am not sure that the reviews below are fishy as much as the ones that are coming right after the negative reviews--sounds more like the owners or the main office are writing these. If the owners showed appreciation for all the parents that donate money and maybe if they started paying for some improvements themselves, their enrollment would not go down year after year. This year is the exception with Pinecrest closing but next year it will start again. Mr. Haddad should take over!