Lake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet K-12 in Los Angeles

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	7/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education.
College Readiness	9/10	The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using 2019 SAT percent college ready data from California Department of Education, using 2019 Average ACT score data from California Department of Education, using 2019 ACT percent college ready data from California Department of Education, using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from California Department of Education, using 2025 Percent of students who meet UC/CSU entrance requirements data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 demographic data from California Department of Education.
Student Growth	8/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from California Department of Education.

Posted: May 31, 2026

Small school I would recommend to others

Posted: May 31, 2026

Posted: May 19, 2026

Lake Balboa College Prep has honestly become a joke of a school that runs almost entirely off favoritism and connections instead of actually caring about students. The environment is terrible, with constant bullying, racism, ableism, homophobia, and sexism between students while teachers and staff barely do anything about it. Students openly disrespect teachers and nothing happens, which just proves the administration has completely lost control of the school. Some teachers dont even teach anymore and just hand out packets like they gave up years ago while students are left to deal with chaos on their own. The school keeps pretending it cares about diversity and student support, but the campus culture says the exact opposite. One of the dumbest priorities is the farm, because realistically only the elementary kids care about it while most middle and high school students could not care less. Instead of dumping funding into animals and plants nobody uses, they should spend that money on things students actually need, like making the school bigger, building a locker room, improving classrooms, fixing student support, or literally anything more useful. The administration cares more about appearances and programs they can advertise than the actual students dealing with the toxic environment every day.

Posted: May 19, 2026

Posted: May 7, 2025

This school is great if you want to be bullied, harassed and feel unsafe. After Clarke became the principal of this school it all went downhill. He only cares about the school looking good and would do anything in his power to make it seem great even if it means changing students grades so that the school could have a 100% graduation rate. He doesn't care about the well being of his students and doesn't take bullying seriously. DON'T bring your kids here.

Posted: May 7, 2025

Posted: January 19, 2025

My daughter has been there since 1st grade. She loves the school. The farm is wonderful and such a wonderful thing for the kids. For such a small school they really try to pack as much as they can in.

Posted: January 19, 2025

Posted: November 15, 2024

bullying is very bad here and the teachers and staff don't do anything about it don't send your children here

Posted: November 15, 2024

Posted: September 30, 2024

I was in this school from 6th - 8th grade and left this year. So much outrageous bullying and words come from students' mouths. The teachers and staff don't care unless someone gets hurt and gets a broken nose and starts bleeding out (that happened a couple of times to a few students already) it just does not make sense how it is considered a school, it's like a hood but in a school. The kindergarteners and elementary students know the n-word and a bunch of other slurs, like really? How is that discipline? Never take your child here, even if your Armenian friends tell you to (talking to you, parents)

Posted: September 30, 2024

Posted: January 16, 2024

I have had both my kids at several schools before this one, AES down the road and a Catholic School in Encino, and I have to say LBCP has been amazing, both my kids are enthusiastic and like learning there. The classrooms are all taught by veteran teachers some with Dr. degrees and have amazing pedagogues. The administration is firm but supportive, and especially involving incidents of bullying or discrimination, they jump right in, and get to the bottom of things. I feel the school is lead by a very responsible, and wise principal in that he hires some of the best teaching talent in the area, and to a person when they have an open house, I've enjoyed talking with the teachers about progress and plans for the coming semester / year.

Posted: January 16, 2024

Posted: May 2, 2023

My child has attended this school for quite some time and it just keeps getting worst especially ever since the current principal Mr. Clark took over. If you ever have any safety concerns or want to discuss anything about your child or the teachers with him he cuts you off never has the time to talk to you or he just gives you the run around. Also the teachers just let the students do whatever they miss assignments and they can just do it when ever they want. I agree with previous reviews this school definitely has a problem with bullying and Mr. Clark and staff will not do anything about it. Its nice that is a small school compared to others but you are better off taking your child elsewhere.

Posted: May 2, 2023

Posted: March 13, 2023

I am a Student at this school and there are people sneaking out and the teachers don't really care. If students do something wrong, there are no staff at the playground and the second graders already know to many slurs and the highschool kids are teaching them.

Posted: March 13, 2023

Posted: July 28, 2022

Not a good school at all always assuming things and end up looking dumb. Principle does not do anything about bullying.

Posted: July 28, 2022

Posted: January 25, 2022

I believe this school is amazing and has definitely expanded in the past few years. There are now 6 different AP (college prep) classes: Chemistry, English Literature, English Language, Psychology, U.S. History, and World History. There is also a lovely farm that allows students to learn responsibility and how to care for animals. It is a very unique Kindergarten through 12th grade school that is relatively small, allowing for a feeling of family and individual attention to all students.

Posted: January 25, 2022

Posted: October 4, 2018

I love this school i bonded with the teachers. Yes some teachers are not that good but most of them are effective and care about you.

Posted: October 4, 2018

There is a problem with bullying at this school. Yes i do love this school but this school does not do much about bullying.

Posted: June 23, 2017

I have written about this school years before. Now that I have graduated, I can surely say this school was the worst high school experience ever. A majority of the staff do not care about the students and are quite rude to them. A particular coordinator would not even say "hi" back when I would say hi to them. Too much drama, too much of adults acting like children, and most teachers don't even teach except for the science teachers and the government teacher, they are great. Please don't take your kids here. I and others really did not have a good experience with these people.

Posted: June 23, 2017

Posted: January 20, 2017

I had a great experience at this school.

Posted: January 20, 2017

Posted: December 15, 2016

When it comes to VAS, I feel as if the teachers and staff really push the students to be the best versions of themselves, not only in social situations, but also at times where they know is appropriate to be respectful to all.

Posted: December 15, 2016

Overall at Valley Alternative, my experience as a student has been beyond amazing, considering the fact that I have stayed from the start, for about 10 years now. I've been told many times to "Never Give up on a Dream," which means to Demonstrate and apply academic knowlege, be Responsible as a citizen in a global society, Effectively communicate with others whenever help is needed, Appreciate diversity because this school is evolved around a diverse environment, and finally to Make informed decisions, which is of course very important and the number one key to learning. The school's slogan, DREAM, means that anyone is entitled to bring out their inner strengths, without being put down through negativity, which is an absolute plus for our society.

Another huge reason I have chosen to stick with Valley Alternative is because of the heartwarming and caring teachers. I would just like to give a huge special thanks to three specific ladies, who are Jennelle Stewart, Lynda Caiati, and Sanjuanita Martinez. They are intellectual, proud leaders, inspiring people, large engagers with students, and empowerers. Jennelle has taught me many life lessons through stories, and of course through creative ways during math courses. She has changed my whole aspect on learning by leading the class to very challenging lessons, but at the end of the day, rewarding us with encouragement, love, and all in all peace. I've had many math teachers, yet Jennelle was always the greatest of them all, and still remains to be my favorite math teacher since the last time I've had her, which was about four years ago. As always, you should "tell your parents THAT you love them." Lynda has taught me that biology is not always about solving difficult formulas and worrying about whether you get something right or wrong, but rather about experimenting with new things and trying your best to learn something advanced. Sanjuanita has taught me that Spanish is not only about the language and their translations to English, but rather about culture and how proud she would be if one of the many non-Spanish speakers were to come into class one day speaking fluently, with all the hard work she has given to us as students. In the end, I am the most thankful to be where I am today, mainly because of Valley Alternative Magnet School. Yours Truly, Anna.

Posted: November 8, 2016

I really love this school and the family atmosphere. I have never had any problems with bullying. I have a 8th grader and a 3rd grader there at Valley Alternative. The school is just amazing my son loves the farm and all of the teachers care about your child doing good and really get to know the children at the school. Its perfect if you are looking for the private feel for free. I was so sad to see the principal and Mary leave but the school is still just great.

Posted: November 8, 2016

I have never had an issue so I am not sure how this issue is handled at the school, I have never even heard of a bullying issue

Posted: November 8, 2016

I think that since a lot of the high school and middle school students have younger siblings in the elementary section of the school it makes them be nicer people and not bully as much as in other schools that I have seen. The school calls themselves a family and I can honestly see it when I am there, everyone is respectful and nice all around.

Posted: November 8, 2016

The teachers are just amazing they make sure you know what is going on and if you have a idle schooler or high schooler they email you to let you know if the child is not doing to well or even if they are starting to fall behind and I really like that. The elementary staff is just so caring and genuinely happy good teachers who seem to enjoy what they do and that makes a big difference in a kids life. My son started in Kindergarten with Trisha and he absolutely loved her and so did I, He is know in third grade and he has not had a teacher that I can say anything bad about, they have all been great. Heather, Lori, and now Brian just excellent teachers.

Posted: November 8, 2016

Posted: August 11, 2016

Bullying in this school is taken very lightly.Teachers care very little about the matter. Not to mention their no extracurricular activities. Also in pe you are made to take it in your regular clothes. Teachers are horrible here . I'll will never recommend this school to anyone. Overall the worst school I ever been to.

Posted: August 11, 2016

Posted: August 10, 2016

Awful school. Bullying. Bad teachers. Do not send your children here, you will regret it.

Posted: June 13, 2016

Do not send your children to this school. Anything special that used to exist here is long gone and while there are a handful of teachers who are good and effective educators, for the most part the education provided here is substandard. There is also a terrible problem with bullying and the administration does nothing to address it most often using the "everyone is to blame" argument. If I had it to do all over, I never would have sent my child to this school. Don't take the chance of applying for points. It's not worth the chance of getting into VAS. Stay away.

Posted: January 25, 2016

I would give VAS zero stars if possible. The damage Bennett Blum did to this school is irreparable. Many reviews mention bullying which is a serious problem that is not addressed. There are ethnic tensions that administration does not have the courage to face. Most elementary teachers are incompetent. The staff gossip and behave unprofessionally. The school lost all PTSA and involved parents that left for better schools. Do not believe the high application rate, that reflects parents trying to get waiting list points. Beware of this school. Difficult to change because no graduation points. Middle school math teacher yells at and insults students. Her room is next to principals office but it is ignored as all problems are. If I could go back in time I would send my kid to a real school. Thoroughly investigate this school before enrolling.

Posted: August 3, 2015

I was a 2015 senior at Valley Alt and I had been there since the 6th grade. This school has prepared me my for my future in ways that I can't even describe (even when I wasn't the best student). I don't understand the other reviews that say negative things about this school, yes we have a farm and no we don't have a gym, the students don't have gym uniforms (but are free to change if they want), and we don't have an auditorium but we do have an amphitheater. Bullying isn't a problem here and new students are welcomed with open arms. There are no sports but students are welcomed to tryout for the Birmingham sports teams. The teachers are called by their first names but they are treated with respect and so are the students. The VAS staff cares about every student and when needed (academic and personal) students can ask the teachers for help. Over all this school is wonderful, with small class sizes and a very family-like atmosphere. If you want your children to grow up with a great education, a healthy social life, and admission into a university right after high school this is the high school for you.

Posted: August 3, 2015

Posted: March 23, 2015

I am a sophomore at this school, and I have attended since the sixth grade. This school is very unique gives many opportunities that some schools don't. The school is K-12. We have a farm on campus with rabbits, turtles, turkeys, chicken, gouts, horses, and more animals. Every Tuesday and Thursday a bus takes the grades 10-12 to Valley Collage to take collage classes from 9:45-12:45. On campus we call all of the teachers and staff by their first name. The school is very small so most of the teachers know all of their students first names and last names

Posted: October 31, 2014

Valley Alternative is a gem in the valley! The campus offers Kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is small and intimate. Teachers are called by their first names and know the students on a first name basis as well. This year brings a new Principal who is amazing! She is very involved with the students and truly cares about their best interest. Yes, the school lacks a gym and auditorium, but it's a trade off. This is a safe, friendly environment for students to get a good education. The staff is great!

Posted: September 23, 2014

This school is a terrible school. It is kindergarten to 12 grade and they all call their teachers by their first names. Most of the teachers are rude and don't really care for their the lunch area is very small, students. They don't have a gym, PE lockers or an auditorium. The students have to do PE in their regular clothes, sweat, then go to class with those sweaty clothes. There is no gym, so rainy days weren't fun. Also there is no auditorium but they have a farm which is behind the cafeteria. They have no sports teams or bands or anything fun like that but they have a farm (what?). The staff doesn't take bullying, fights, or dress code seriously. There were students who came to school pracitcally naked and there were fights happening in and out of class and nothing was done to stop them. Overall, the school needs to be rebuilt with a better administration and staff along with the gym, PE lockers, etc. Regular hall lockers are really tiny and have to be shared because there arent enough. They don't have a class set of books and they have to carry all the books back and forth. If your are a parent thinking about taking your child there, reconsider it.

Posted: June 8, 2014

(continued) Also, at this school I have the advantage of my teachers really caring about me, my future, and guiding me towards success. So regardless of the lack of sports, or the cafeteria food, or other irrelevant nonsense, when it comes down to what really matters, which is the education, the genuine care teachers have for their students, and preparation for college and the real world, VAS is where you should want to send your child. To wrap it up, the people who wrote all the negative and unimportant comments are probably the ones who did not put any effort into their education or in the parents' cases, their children's educations. As cheesy as it may sound, at VAS we really are a family. Although no family is perfect, we still are pretty great and we overcome our challenges just fine without a large faculty or a lot of money, because like I said that is not what really matters.

Posted: June 8, 2014

Hi my name is Meri and I will soon be a sophomore at VAS. I have been attending this school since sixth grade, and without a doubt it is great! Some might argue that we lack AP classes and sports teams, but sports are always available at any given time outside of school. But when can you go to a community college 8 hours a week during school time and get credits for highschool and college at the same time? At VAS. That is definitely more beneficial than an AP class, because your child has the opportunity to go straight into university with a lot of college units already completed, specifically the IGETC.

Posted: June 1, 2014

This school is good at a certain level, but some of the students that go here can be very immature and disrespectful to peers and faculty. What's good about this school is LAVC and job site, that's about it. In my opinion, they really should get rid of the farm, it only brings flies into the classrooms, which gets really annoying. Some teachers' grading systems are ridiculous and should be altered to become more reasonable for students that are having a hard time in the class. And it is somewhat true that teachers only focus on kids who are already doing well.

Posted: May 12, 2014

This is a AWESOME school and I love going to school every day because the teachers know how to make learning fun and interesting. I do agree that the coffee cake is disgusting but, who cares about the food, school is for learning not eating. The teachers know their stuff and are smart but a few teachers rise above the rest (Jennelle Stewart, Albert Estrada, and David Santamaria). I give my school five stars because I like it .

Posted: May 9, 2014

This school is great in academics but when a person is failing ,zero help is brought to them. The teachers only focus on students that are already doing good and don't help the other students at all the teat hers are very rude for example the bio teacher , although he know what he is teaching and does a good job at it ,he insults you and embarrass you if you make a little mistake. The school does not have extra curricular activities to entertain them and a lot of students are focused in drugs you may not see it but as a student that interacts with other secrecy i have seen that many students are under the influence. This school cares of nothing except how good a person's grade can be. The school money is very poor due to the farm animals they need to spend the little money we have on the food and other animal needs so they are not capable of spending money on educational programs for the students. The schools lunches are dreadful and its the reason many students starve themselves the breakfast is nothing but cold bread and disgusting coffee cake EVERY SINGLE DAY. I personally DO NOT recommend this school.

Posted: May 3, 2014

There is a lot of bullying at this school and the administration doesn't do anything about it. Do not send your child here. If I could, I would give it zero stars.

Posted: August 19, 2013

I'm a former student at Valley Alternative Magnet School, i would like to say that this school is amazing. The staff, teachers, and students will try their best to make you feel comfortably. The teachers don't have favorites which is good because most schools do. If the a teacher see's that you are falling behind or failing a class he/she will try to help in any way they can to bring your grades up.We might not have sports but, when you hit the tenth grade you are able to go to Valley College for free or Job Site. Those 2 thing make up for not having sporst because that will help you get in to a better college. I recommend this school if you want your child to be successful in life.

Posted: July 24, 2013

VAS is a warm, friendly environment and a nice place for kids to learn and make friends.

Posted: April 6, 2013

My son was at this school for one semester of 7th grade. It was an awful experience for both us. He got bullied relentlessly. The administration was open about communicating but nothing really got resolved. It is unfortunate that bullies get to stay there while our kids have to be removed for their own safety. My son is now doing great at his current school. I wish I would've moved him sooner.

Posted: April 4, 2013

This school is not for students who are struggling in academics. The teachers only care and give attention to the students who are already doing good. They don't want to bother to give help to those who really need it. The teachers are rude to the students during class. I have been there long enough to know that what I am telling you is the whole truth. Oh, I almost forgot they are constantly asking for money all the time, they say to pay for field trips, which they hardly ever go on, and when they do they still ask for you pay.

Posted: March 19, 2013

My school expirience in this school was depressing so far I'm a seventh grader. I dont like the seventh grade math class. Sixth grade was horrible I was bullied with words and it took a while to get the problem resolved I enjoy the english and history class with Steve also Stephany's pe class most kids are mean at point but sometimes kind it was very confusing. I want to switch for high school because there aren' any sports and I want to play football. I think it's fine to send your student here but it isn't always a friendly enviorment.

Posted: March 12, 2013

I like the school, but find that some teachers are better than others are. I can say that because I have twins. Overall, I love the school, the teachers, and staff. I know that my children are safe when they are in school. I find that younger teachers tend to be more aggressive with their teaching technics then the veteran ones, who seam burned out.

Posted: February 4, 2013

This school is not what it used to be I do not recommend you enroll your child in this school some of the students are mean. The teachers are kind but you do not learn anything. Problems do not get solved. The budget is extremely horrible there are no sports.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Northridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Northridge	CA	2.6 mi
2	Hollyglen	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Hawthorne	CA	21.2 mi
3	Foothill Park	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Camarillo	CA	31.6 mi
4	Camarillo	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Camarillo	CA	31.9 mi
5	Del Prado Town Homes	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Camarillo	CA	33.1 mi
6	RiverPark	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Oxnard	CA	38.7 mi
7	Hollywood Beach	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Oxnard	CA	41.8 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Central Camarillo	Camarillo	CA	31.9 mi
2	Oxnard	Oxnard	CA	38.7 mi
3	Ventura	Ventura	CA	42 mi

Base	Distance
Los Angeles AFB	20.2 mi.
Los Alamitos JFTB	33.6 mi.
Point Mugu NAS - Naval Base Ventura County	34.6 mi.
Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station	38.6 mi.
Port Hueneme - Naval Base Ventura County	40 mi.

Lake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet K-12

Los Angeles, CA 91406

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Lake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet K-12

Los Angeles, CA 91406

School Ratings

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