Leffingwell Elementary School

10625 Santa Gertrudes Avenue

School District

East Whittier City Elementary
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for East Whittier City Elementary 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 September 02, 2024

My family loves this school. They have received the national blue ribbon twice, they plan family activities throughout the year, the teachers are knowledgeable and kind. I have nothing bad to say about this school.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2023

Leffingwell is a great school that we have been a part of for the past 10 years and still counting. My kids have always received the help they need. The teachers, principal and staff are all awesome. I’m happy to see more diversity at Leffingwell than previous years.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2022

This is a fantastic school. The administrators and teachers go above and beyond to make learning fun. They truly care about the students.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2022

Great school I have my two kids in leffingwell and they both love it. I have nothing bad to say, am glad that we live in this beautiful community.
Submitted by other on August 08, 2021

Good school and teachers, Principal DrBlackwells very active in school.This year theyv improved the infrastructure. Kids who are advanced readers are given the option to read advance books. But kids need more help, need to be encouraged based on their ability. Over great Elemantry school, needs a teachers /substitutes to help kids introduce kids to - science with fun experiments right from kindergarten/1st grade. -Teach kids about different world-cultures/languages. - Introduce chess/sports/computers at early so our kids get a good head start.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2020

My kids love Leffingwell. The teachers and staff are experienced and have deep roots in the community that they teach in. They truly care about their students and their education. They make learning fun and challenging for their kids and in turn the students love their teachers. Parental involvement is amazing at Leffingwell as well. Staff, parents, teachers, students and the principal all work seamlessly to make Leffingwell one of the best schools in Whittier.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2020

Wonderful. Infant program is second to none. School staff has high moral. Front office is inviting. Principal is very involved.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2019

Amazing teacher and support for the children l
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2018

This is a gem of a school. The Principal is a great leader, the teachers are hardworking, the school supports and encourages parent participation, and not only does it hold high academic standards, but it is a fun place for both the students and parents.
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2018

Excellent school that offers strong support for all students including students with learning disabilities. Love the Learning Center!
Submitted by parent on December 31, 2014

My son attended this school for 3 years, and I could see that there is a great curriculum, awesome extracurricular activities, and learning is fun but teachers at Leffingwell aren't passionate about ensuring that their kids succeed. They tend to favor certain student body populations (those that are "easy to teach"), and they consistently praise them - so it's relatively obvious which kids are "easy to teach". In other words, the teachers, during the personal experience, appear to lack the passion and praising on teaching kids who may have challenges in the home. Because this was a consistently pattern showen, I do see that this school is consistently marginalizing their student body (this is what I see as "the clique type of atmosphere" at Leffingwell. I too have tried to get involved with the school and if your not part of this "marginalizing attitude" you are made to feel like an outsider.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2014

My son attends a really good school, but could be better. Leffingwell Elementary is our neighborhood school. My 7 year old and I walk to and from school every day. We notice very few parents walk to school, even though many are just as near to the school as we are. I teach my son the importance of exercise and walking is one of the best and easiest ways to get exercise. We can't say many East Whittier neighbors share our enthusiasm for fresh air and walking. If young children learn this important part of daily exercise, we would have cleaner air and a better school. My son and I were nearly run over by a speeding motorist on our way to school one morning, a driver had run the red light at the crosswalk in front of the library. I believe a crossing guard is needed and walking to school should be encouraged. I think the speed limits in school zones should be lowered to 15 mph,and strictly enforced.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2014

Most of the teachers are great, great curriculum, awesome extracurricular activities, and learning is fun at Leffingwell. But besides those positive points the school is lacking in a big way in other areas. We all have our own personal experience and point of views. With that being said I agree 100% with a previous post from another parent commenting in regards to a clique type of atmosphere at Leffingwell. I always wondered why everyone seems to know each other and you always see the same children month after month being the student of the month or a lead in a extracurricular activity. I have tried to get involved with the school and if your not part of this cliche you are made to feel like an outsider. There is also a huge problem with permits, half of the kids that attend are on permits.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2014

I am a parent of three children and all gave attended Leffingwell elementary school. My youngest is now in 1st grade. First, I whole heartedly diagree with the negative parent comments posted. My children have thrived at this school. The school creates a fun environment as well as a strong academic base. I have never my child has been left out or not received awards that he/she has earned. Leffingwell is a "gem" of a school and has a lot f parent participation. I feel this is a good thing for any school. A parent who is actively involved in their child's life and schooling. I have felt no religious pressure or aspect while my children have been at Leffingwell. This is one of the best schools in the district and many parents want their child to attend. Such as my sister, who is a doctor. She was going to send her child to a private school but decided instead on sending her child to Leffingwell. She and her daughter love this school, just like I do. There are children on permit who attend this school, such as my sister. However, most children live jn the area, just like me. This is a fantastic school!
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2013

My daughter recently began Kindergarten at Leffingwell and my wife and I couldn't be more pleased. The teachers are very attentive and encourage parental participation. Dr. Blackwell is incredibly involved in school activities and clearly takes a great deal of pride in his position. It is not uncommon to see him standing in front of the school in the morning directing traffic acting as a crossing guard. The 25 + positive reviews far outweigh the one negative review. I for one am not a member of Dr. Blackwell's church and I am of the opinion that my daughter got the pick of the litter with regards to kindergarten teachers. If I was a betting man I would wager that my daughter will be getting some of those coveted awards that negative poster spoke of. Not due to any nepotism, but due to her hard work coupled with my wife and my commitment to her education and her excellent teacher. With regards to the lack of diversity claim, the school represents the residents of the area of where the school is located. My daughter's class is filled with Hispanic, White and Asian children. I don't see how the school's to blame for not importing eskimos. Keep it up Leffingwell!!
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2013

My daughter just started the third grade and with her being my oldest, I don't have anything for comparison, but I love Leffingwell Elementary school. All of her teachers have been great. I love all the various themed days they have throughout the year, which I think helps keep going to school fun. My youngest starts Kindergarten next year and I'm looking forward to having both my children attending Leffingwell.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2013

I felt I needed to post this as my son has been doing so good and received 100% on his spelling test today. My son has a learning disability and Dr. Blackwell, his teacher, as well as the rest of the staff involved with helping my son have been great. During our last IEP, all goals were met and my son is on track with surpassing his current goals. This school is not overrated and it's a shame when a parent adds a negative post that does not reflect the majority. The school may seem cliquey because there is SO much parent involvement. BYW, I live in the area and are not on permit.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2013

After researching several local schools, we purchased our house close to Leffingwell so that we could be sure our kids would receive an education from Leffingwell's incredible teachers and staff/leadership. Leffingwell offers extremely high academic standards with several additional programs that nurture the arts. In addition the staff models and encourages interaction among all students regardless of differences in background or level of need. This school reminds me of the way education used to be, with teachers going above and beyond and encouraging children's growth in all areas, not just academics.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2013

This is the most nepotistic school that I have ever encountered. Most teachers and staff get their relatives jobs at the school and if their relatives attend the school then you better believe their relatives are the children getting all the awards regardless of bad behavior. The staffs children are always being featured and favored. It's such cliquey school too! If you are different in any way good luck! You will not fit in if you are anything other than Christian. Most of the staff including the principal are involved with 2 well known churches in this area and if you go to one of them then maybe you can be apart of the clique. But what's funny is the children of the parents who are most involved with those churches are some of the brattiest children. This school is also allowing a lot more children on permits and many of the students are already on permits including most of the staffs children. They are trying to save the jobs of teachers in the clique by allowing all these permits. The permit students often fill the classrooms of the preferred teachers while children who live in the area are stuck with sub par teachers. This school is very overrated and not diverse at all!
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2011

If you think the only way your child can get a great education is in a private school.....boy are you sadly mistaken, and most likely never visited Leffingwell Elementary. The teachers are top notch and the principal is very dedicated to the school. If your planning to get your kid enrolled in this school you better not wait, the waiting list can get filled pretty quick and its well worth the wait. The teachers are very hands on and carry a relationship with the kids more than just a typical student teacher relationship. My daughter loves her school and always comes home with great stories and smiling from her days activities. Make sure to meet Dr. Blackwell (principal) from your first visit with him you get a great sense of his dedication to the school, teachers and most importantly the kids! The other great thing about this school are the parents....we all have the same objective in mind and we are all very involved in our children's education.