Westminster Avenue Elementary School

1010 Abbott Kinney Blvd.

School District

Los Angeles Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
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 parent on June 20, 2022

This is a wonderful school. The teachers and principal are truly exceptional. Our children have learned so much and love their school. We couldn't be happier!
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2022

This is such a special school with an amazing staff. We immediately permitted out of Coeur d'Alene to come to Westminster after a tour. The grounds are beautiful, the programs are unique and the school community is diverse. The Principal is unlike any other - he knows every student by name and is so genuine and caring in addition to being a great leader. There are multiple gardens on campus, beautiful mosaic art covering the walls (which the students get to create!) visual arts, technology, music, and science programs - I could go on and on. The best part is the supportive, community feel which we felt was lacking at other schools we toured.We have been at Westminster since 2017. We have a 4th grader and a 1st grader and will have a Kinder student in a few years.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2021

This is a great school with great teachers and administration. They really care about all children and want to help all the students grow into kind citizens. They offer great programs on a beautiful campus that is very clean and well-maintained. Highly recommend!
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2021

Westminster is a wonderful elementary school. We have been there for 3 years and have had nothing but positive experiences with the teachers and Mr Cohen, the school principal.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2021

I have two children at Westminster Elementary - 1st and 4th. We have had excellent and caring teachers. Extra support is offered where needed and I have always felt comfortable speaking with the teachers. Mr. Cohen, the principal is outstanding and very open. He is involved in making the school succeed. Planet Bravo, mosaic activities, and the garden have been favorite special classes. The garden is extremely special and kids start learning code very early; some are making video games by 3rd grade. It has been an excellent choice for us.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2020

We came to Westminster after leaving a private school we could no longer afford. We have been blown away by our children’s teachers and the school. They are extremely well-organized and have made online learning meaningful and workable. We feel so lucky to have found this school.
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2019

We just love this school and feel so lucky we were called off the wait-list for the magnet. Our children are so happy and both of them have had great teachers. They are learning a lot and being challenged. They get to go to computer classes, music, drama, yoga, garden and science lab. The principal showed us around himself when we enrolled. He knows every student by name and goes out of his way to treat everybody as important. We are very happy here and just wish it didn't stop at 5th grade.
Submitted by other on November 08, 2019

My son was assaulted by 3 students at the same time at the school and he told 3 adults including is teacher and principal I was Not notified !!!!!!!! And when I went to principal he seemed to dismiss the incident. Even though he has knowledge of my son being bullied by THE SAME BOYS. The principal does not care about bullying!!!!! This has to stop
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2019

I have two children at the school and they both love learning and are eager to go to school every single day. The enrichments rival local private schools - music, dance, yoga, theater, art, science lab, mosaic, garden. My children have had incredible teachers all the way up and are both far above grade level academically in large part due to the quality of instruction. They have made nice friends and learn beside children of all backgrounds. In short, they love school, we love the school community! We couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2019

Took my daughter here and proceeded to pull her out halfway through. Her teacher would isolate her for her being bullied. The principal doesn't care about the well being of the students. The counselor blamed my daughter for being bullied.Absolutely disgusting that a school can't act in such a fashion. Let alone a "magnet" school.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2017

We've been with this school for two year and could not be happier. I'm only sad it only goes through 5th grade. They have three after school programs. Music, art, gardening, and technology. Very few LAUSD schools can offer this variety of enrichment classes. The students and faculty are happy. The campus is clean and safe. The principal is honest, transparent and accessible. It's one of those schools that you have to visit in order to appreciate.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2017

We are over the moon about this school! The test scores are skewed but in a sense, I think they have kept our school a hidden gem. I have to admit I was nervous because of all of the noise around finding an elementary school in LA. I am so happy that I turned off the outside voices and went with my gut. We couldn't be happier with school, community, teachers, after care. It has been a dream come true. Our daughter is so happy and is learning so much in a wonderful environment. I wish every student could have a public school experience like this.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2017

I love this school! I currently have a 3rd and 1st grader in this school. My children have amazing teachers who support them accademically above their grade levels. My children are learning how to play the piano, how to work in a team to design and create a mosaic, how to code, how to garden, how to dance...Both my children love it here and so do I.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2016

My Eldest Son is now in 1st Grade having started in Kinder after we moved from London. He is thriving. The scores on this site are dated due to the way they are collected.. the regeneration of the school from the ground up is fantastic and this is one of the most popular schools in Venice to send our kids now. My youngest will join TK next year. Barry Cohen the Head, is amazing and our teachers Ms Abrams and Ms Derrett are simply the best. I have a very happy Son!
Submitted by other on November 28, 2016

My son is in TK. We chose to send him to TK vs. staying in pre-school another year in order to support our neighborhood school which is beginning to thrive. The TK class is state of the art and was just donated this year. The brand new TK program is Constructivist. It is an innovative TK classroom yet the TK program is separate but integrated with all programs and integrated with the kinder play yard; there is a play first schedule and enrichments include: modern music, dance, gardening, mosaic classes, yoga, and technology classes. These are things you would find at a private school. A truly great after school program with Prime Time Sports Camp; incredibly clean campus; great teachers, approachable administrators; AND the school playground will be entirely redone next year!
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2016

My daughter is in her second year at Westminster and is thriving. The bar was set high with our wonderful Kinder teacher, so we were apprehensive about 1st grade. We have not been disappointed and are so happy with our teacher Mrs Derrett. She's communicative with the parents and sends weekly updates via email. She is academically challenging, but teaches with kindness and respect. My daughter absolutely loves her. The enrichment offered during the school day is unparalleled; music theory, choir, theater arts, Planet Bravo computer instruction and gardening (to name a few). The Principle Mr Cohen continues to be a great administrator who handles any concerns we have quickly and head-on. The booster club is strong, but I"d love to see more active families join this wonderful community.
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2015

Westminster is a wonderful elementary school, and we could not have been happier with our choice. Our daughter loves her school, and her teacher (Ms. Abrams). Our family feels safe, and heard by the amazing principal Barry Cohen, AP Karen Reynolds, and energetic staff. Great location. Beautiful WE garden. Fun and educational enrichment classes. This is a great Venice community school, that I am so exited to be a part of!
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2015

The Principal, Vice Principal, and teachers all give 100% everyday and it shows on their faces and the kids' faces. The school facilities are bright and extremely clean and well-maintained, and there are plans for improving and adding more green space throughout the campus. There are a variety of enrichment programs sprinkled throughout the week to enhance students' learning, including music theory, vocal music, gardening, and dance in addition to visits to the Mac and PC computer lab for additional math and language arts lessons that build on what the children learn in the classroom. My son also has art, PE, social studies, health, science, and history and gets to interact with teachers and students from other kindergarten classes in mixed groups. We could not have found a better school for our son!
Submitted by other on December 08, 2015

Great teachers. Excellent administration. Great location on Abbott Kinney Blvd. Beautiful facilities. Lots of parental involvement. Challenging after school enrichment programs.
Submitted by other on December 08, 2015

We started our search for schools 2 years prior to my daughter starting Kindergarten. We toured schools in the Palisades, Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City and Manhattan Beach. We talked to teachers and parents in all neighborhoods. In 2013 we initially loved the Westminster campus, but we were turned off by the prior reputation of the school. In 2015 we enrolled and we were accepted to PS1 a private school in Santa Monica. We paid our hefty deposit and that was that....Until, we read a posting by Principle Barry Cohen on Venice Moms. After reading, I knew I needed to do one last tour and go meet this man in person. What I found was that I still loved the campus and a principle so dedicated and caring about the children at his school with a Vice Principle that was just as kind and helpful. I could not believe the wonderful enrichment classes that were offered DURING the school day and the two gardens that the children have classes in every other week. I was impressed by the local parents who are just as involved and willing to give a hand. We live in Venice for a reason and the fact that we almost sold our house and moved to the palisades for the schools enrages me now. Westminster is an amazing school. We walk to school and our kids are benefiting tremendously by knowing our neighbors and running into each other as we grocery shop, have dinner or bike on the beach. I could not have asked for a more diverse community for my daughter. We are grateful that we gave it a shot. It's awesome.