Van Nuys Middle School

5435 Vesper Ave.

School District

Los Angeles Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
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 principal on December 11, 2024

Van Nuys Middle School is a hidden gem in Sherman Oaks, CA. The school grounds are beautiful and the teachers are amazing! While the test scores show a low rating the Magnet and Academy scores are on average 20% higher than the whole school data, mainly due to the high number of language learners. Overall, it's a great school and a great place for students to learn.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2024

Both our children have had stellar experiences. They have blossomed socially and emotionally, they have learned to play instruments, they are well prepared to excel in a competitive high school. The teachers are approachable, engaged, and supportive. They take the time to attend school plays, concerts, and family nights. In this small environment, they know all of the students well and promote an environment of kindness.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2024

My son is in 7th grade honors at their STEAM Magnet and LOVES it. This is primarily a "word of mouth" school since their web presence isn't the greatest.. My son's elementary teacher strongly advised me NOT to choose this school. Of course, he was going by outdated information (from 10 years ago) and wasn't aware of the current buzz and the magnet of distinction award. What I especially like about this school is the focus on the "whole child." They are committed not only to the education of your child, but also focusing on shaping them into being kind, caring individuals. The kids are asked to do community service throughout the year and the school doesn't tolerate bullies. We couldn't be happier with this small school with a big heart. It is really a hidden gem.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2020

We value the smaller setting and connection to our community. They attend to the kids' emotional and social growth
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2020

I would rate it a 1. Knowing that my son wants to learn but they are not teaching him anything it bothers me. I have been waiting for 4 months just to get an appointment with the teachers.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2019

My son is very happy at VNMS and so am I. It's a great community, close to our Sherman Oaks home, and academically on par with the neighboring Sherman Oaks and Encino middle schools. In some cases, I'd argue academically and socially superior. I should note, my older child attended a different Sherman Oaks neighborhood public school, so I have a frame of reference.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2018

My child is in the magnet and I feel he is doing great work in there. He is in Algebra 1 this year. The scores don't tell the whole story here because it doesn't break out the magnet as a separate entity and it really is. The sad part about this school and the reason I don't give it 5 stars is because the principal phones it in. She doesn't know what's going on at the school half the time, and she doesn't attend fundraisers, PTA meetings or anything. It's hard to get programs going or make your concerns known when the leader of the school doesn't care. Hats off to Joshua Rosenthal the magnet coordinator. Without him this school would really suffer. He keeps the place going!
Submitted by teacher on December 08, 2013

Congratulations Valley Environmental Academy (VEA) teachers and families. Your Holiday Pot Luck Celebration last Thursday (12-5-13) evening was wonderful! The capacity in the cafeteria is 245 and it looks like your attendance was well past that number. Parents... the food was delicious! Thank you for all you do for Van Nuys Middle School and our community.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2013

The IEP team and the special education help at this school is wonderful. They really made me feel like they care about my child and have his best interests in mind. I received so much good information from the team and they seem to keep getting better. I have never found this type of help at any other school.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2013

My son was a student of Magnet program in Van Nuys Middle school, and we felt welcomed and taken care of during all of 3 years being there. True, all teachers (and students) could not be at their best at 100%, but I realized that it's up to a parents to bring all the concerns to school management. In my experience I never had any problem with meeting teachers/counselors to discuss and improve whatever problem my child would incur. Good school with a great potential.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2013

Don't be fooled by some of the great comments about this school it's a low achieving school look at the test scores they speak for themselves they are not good especially when you compare them to other area schools numbers don't lie. Teachers and staff might be nice but that won't get your kid to college they definitely need to look in the mirror and ask themselves why the scores are so low. No excuses staff your not getting the job done!
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2013

My son is in 7th grade at Van Nuys Middle School. So far we've found the staff and teachers to be nothing but compassionate and caring, as well as accessible. When we've contacted the magnet coordinator, he's responded immediately. The music teacher seems to be amazing at garnering resources for his students. The science teacher has animals in her classroom and the library is well-stocked.Plus, the campus is lovely. My son is happy. Yes, he is aware of racial disparities, but he's learning what it's like to operate in a diverse environment, which exactly mirrors the city in which he lives.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2013

My oldest daughter graduated from VNMS in 2011 and my youngest daughter will graduate this year. There are incredible teachers, staff and administrators, and quite a few who have been at the school for many years. I live across the street from the school and I have seen nothing which supports some of these negative comments. If you are going to accuse all of the parents who send their children here as some of the worst, then you should be willing to sign your name. Posting truly negative reviews and disparaging the entire student body as an anonymous parent is cowardly. I am sure there are students who bully and are bullied...it is an unfortunate and serious issue in school settings. However, there is a strong anti-bullying policy in place at VNMS and I know the staff works hard to make sure the students are safe. No school is perfect, and I don't imagine there is a school anywhere that is immune to dealing with children that need extra disciplinary measures from time to time. Send your kids here or don't, but posting such reviews is hurtful to the kids and families that are having a positive experience there. Happy to sign my name...Jennifer Howe
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2013

I agree with the bullying comment. The anti-bullying policy does not work as I hear about it on a weekly basis. My child is being bullied at this school as well and I am working on another school for next year. The staff is willing to help, but, the stories I hear at this school is "off the charts" this problem is bigger than the staff can handle and I don't see an end to it. The children are rude, mean, and have no sense of morals whatsoever. The parent's of this school must be some of the worst to raise their kids to treat others as they do. I've heard about fighting, punching, name calling, stealing, intimidation, racial slurs, gangs, and the list goes on. Kids have to watch their back at all times while trying to learn- unfortunate. This school needs to do much much more to keep children safe and the district needs to get involved. I have heard how bad this school is before we started and it has lived up to its reputation - hands down.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2013

In response to the below statement. I hear You! my son was bullied as well. He has an IEP. However, we worked with the school staff and they were more than willing to follow through. Listen, life can be a challenge, especially in middle school, but we need to teach our kids to persevere and not to back down. My son is now at VNHS...stronger than ever, and I attribute much of this to VNMS and their dedicated staff. I am sorry you and your son had this experiance though...best of luck...somewhere out there, everyone has a match..Mom
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2013

The bullying at this school was off the charts. The school's anti-bully policy was a joke and gave the power to the bullies. Even most of the girls were rude. The Dean was no help, and even made matters worse when he did attempt to correct the situation. Do not send your son and daughter into this antagonist atmosphere, they will lose their self-esteem and drop their grades. It doesn't matter if the teachers at the school are good. We removed our son and he is now being homeschooled before this school inflicted more damage. We know magnet students that hid in their rooms at lunchtime to avoid bullying; at breaks, our son sought out teachers to hang around so he wouldn't be picked on, shoved, and cursed at. The rave reviews are misleading. There is something horribly wrong in the school system and the culture on campus. If you can't homeschool, find a good private, religious school, but at all cost, stay away from Van Nuys Middle School!
Submitted by other on September 17, 2012

I went to this school from sixth to eighth grade and am in the class of 2012. I couldn't be happier with this school. The teachers are awesome, the programs are great, the campus is beautiful, and the kids are the best. I don't know anyone who went to the school and wasn't happy with it. They have an award winning PE program and many programs such as Valley Enviormental Academy, AVID, honors, math/science magnet. Test scores keep going up for th entire school. Like in 2011 the magnet scored over 900 in the CST's. I highly recommend this school for anyone.
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2012

The Magnet program at VNMS is a MARVEL!!! The magnet teachers and the staff are amazing mentors to the students. They really focus on producing intelligent and courteous students.