Calahan Street Elementary

Posted: December 12, 2024

Posted: December 12, 2024

Posted: December 12, 2024

All four of my children attended this school with the last one finishing 5th grade in 2023. The teachers my children had were remarkable and to this day we still have a close bond with some Teachers. Principal Wells is a warm and strong leader and cares for all her students. My kids still miss her. My kids loved being a part of the GATE program for gifted students. They also have intervention groups for kids falling behind in Math and reading. They have an excellent special education department that provided my sons with speech and social skills. They handled the global pandemic online incredibly well considering online wasn't the norm for them. The school is truly a friendly and safe community for kids.

Posted: December 12, 2024

Posted: December 12, 2024

Posted: December 12, 2024

Posted: December 12, 2024

Posted: December 12, 2024

Posted: September 4, 2020

Calahan is a fantastic school. Teachers, parents and alumni all speak well of it. My daughter loved her teacher and this school. She learned so much

Posted: September 4, 2020

It depends on your Childs teacher. Luckily, the teachers we have had are realistic and didn't over due homework.

Posted: September 4, 2020

Posted: September 4, 2020

Posted: September 4, 2020

The teachers here seem really happy and the principle is FANTASTIC. She tries to get to know the kids at the school, listens to teachers and parents and does her best to improve the school however she can.

Posted: September 4, 2020

Posted: September 4, 2020

Posted: July 15, 2020

Posted: July 15, 2020

I am beyond impressed and happy with the way how the Calahan staff and online learning was handled here. After hearing a few other parents and other schools, and how disengaged the teachers were or just “whatever” about the online instruction, I could tell Calahan was not. They really did go above and beyond for my child to be able to still learned and kept parents updated with all the updates. Our teacher made herself available no matter the time for any questions and made sure to keep the kids engaged no matter what. I am really happy with this school and do not understand why it is not rated higher. The current challenge has not been easy on our kids education but Calahan has really proven to really care about the education of our kids even through obstacles.

Posted: July 15, 2020

Posted: July 15, 2020

Posted: July 15, 2020

Posted: July 15, 2020

Posted: July 15, 2020

Posted: January 23, 2020

Posted: January 23, 2020

Every student here grow to become awesome kids

Posted: January 23, 2020

Posted: January 23, 2020

They love a challenge and are accommodating.

Posted: January 23, 2020

Bullying is not tolerated here and is addressed always.

Posted: January 23, 2020

This is an exceptional school. The staff and teachers are warm and helpful. They care about the students. My boys go to Calahan and they have succeeded all expectations academically.

Posted: January 23, 2020

The homework given is effective in validating their success in the schoolwork.

Posted: September 19, 2019

Posted: September 19, 2019

Posted: September 19, 2019

Posted: September 19, 2019

Posted: September 19, 2019

Students used to be very kind, polite, and respectful as we witnessed just a couple of years ago, but this last year we witnessed several incidents of bullying and kids being disruptive and disrespectful to the staff and other adults; some parents lack of caring about their children's behavior has overpowered the administration that seems to have just taken a back seat.

Posted: September 19, 2019

Posted: September 19, 2019

Two of my sons attended kindergarten at Calahan, both had a great experience for which we are extremely grateful, specially after not having a good experience at another elementary school that my oldest attended to during his kindergarten year. But this second time around in Callahan, I noticed a slight decline, I witnessed bullying when I didn't witnessed it the first time. I found out a teacher feeds the wildlife which invites critters and animals into the yard, too close to the kids for comfort and no one is supposed to say or do anything about it. The principal is nice but sometimes non existent, I know the school has lost several activities and enrichment experiences throughout the years but have been replaced with activities, like weekly assemblys, etc that are just a waste of time and that teachers nor kids are happy about, but nobody dares to complain. I also noticed how a few of the personnel in the office can be rude and unkind to parents, sometimes even to kids, while most of the teachers and administrative personnel are wonderful, caring, respectful, and really providing a great environment and experience for children to learn and for parents. We love Callahan, we just hope these issues can be addressed for the sake of the children attending the school. And truth be told, if parents would care enough and invest time and care in their children, this school would be a top school, it already has amazing teachers and staff doing an incredible job.

Posted: September 18, 2019

Excellent! We reccomend it to everyone!! All of my son's teacher have been phenomenal!

Posted: September 18, 2019

Posted: September 18, 2019

Posted: September 18, 2019

Posted: September 18, 2019

Posted: September 18, 2019

Posted: October 13, 2017

Posted: October 13, 2017

Posted: October 13, 2017

Posted: October 13, 2017

Posted: October 13, 2017

Posted: October 13, 2017

Posted: October 13, 2017

Great school and great teachers, blessed to have my kids go there.

Posted: January 17, 2017

Calahan has been a great place for our children. It's a wonderful community school with excellent teachers and staff who seem to do a great job teaching the kids to respect each other as well as treat each other with kindness and support. Feels like a good old fashioned community school.

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: January 17, 2017

Posted: October 27, 2016

Posted: October 27, 2016

Posted: October 27, 2016

Posted: October 27, 2016

Posted: October 27, 2016

Posted: October 27, 2016

Posted: October 27, 2016

Calahan Charter School in Northridge, Ca. has a red ant investation on the yard where the children play and they are biting the children. My daughter was bitten several times on her legs with pictures to prove it. A woman who works in the office at Calahan Charter was advised of their red ant investation on the yard and they are biting our children. Her response, "The kids just need to stay away from that area. Or, how can they bite you if you're wearing shoes?" I guess she dosent realize ants crawl. She was more concerned with debating the issue with zero sympathy or concern than offering up empathy and construction plans to correct the problem. How can the children stay away if they are unaware. I suggested a warning sign be posted and extermination to take place. So far nothing has been done and the children continue to be bitten by these red/ fire ants which indicates the schools lack of concern for the children's well being. Other children have complained and others still unknowingly playing in that area. Some are even kicking the ants which land in their faces per witnesses. The schools lack of concern in moving forward on the issue is unforgivable. To know they do not have our childrens best interest, safety, health and protection as a priority is umsettling. If nothing is done very immediately, I'm moving forward to the districts superintendents office and others.

Posted: November 24, 2015

my daughter has attended this school for a few years now. and this has become the worst school as far as the teachers really caring about your child's education.things are just to hard if teachers have to help a struggling child ,they complain about how it effects them and continues to give bad report cards with out any solutions and ideas to help this little girl. Really sad that she just being pushed a side like she is a problem.this is a school where your child will be left behind.

Posted: June 9, 2015

Posted: June 9, 2015

This school is amazing it has many fun events feild trips also kids thriving and learning and it also has great kind teachers and kind staff and a safe campus

Posted: December 26, 2014

Calahan WAS a wonderful school! THE TEACHERS ARE WONDERFUL EDUCATORS AND THEY TRULY CARE ABOUT OUR SCHOOL AND ALL THEIR STUDENTS. Since Dr. Jacob left it has gone downhill. EVERYTHING that made Calahan special has been taken away by the current administration and LAUSD! Teacher morale is at an all time low! The new administrator and LAUSD has done everything in their power to make sure that teachers do not speak up or 'cause problems' for all of the changes! I have had three children culminate from Calahan with wonderful experiences. My youngest child is in 2nd grade and has been looking forward to experiencing all the things her older siblings got to do. However, those have all been taken away. The PE program was exceptional, but Maltez has made it very clear that a "small drop in the API score clearly needs to be addressed and perhaps more time has been spent on physical activity." However, what he failed to mention was that most scores throughout LAUSD had fallen. Calahan had many traditions for many years and those are no longer available. I just wish that the LAUSD cared to learn more about the students and their community before taking away from their learning.

Posted: October 27, 2014

Principal Jacob was a horrible principal! As a parent, I am thrilled that she is now retired and away from our children. Our school system deserves supportive, enthusiastic, and positive facilitators. A school principal is the primary leader in school building and unfortunately Principal Jacobs did just the opposite. She was not an effective leader and she cared less about the needs of her constituents. Her views and opinion on education were preconceiving and biased. Great principals take responsibility for school success! Great principals lead teaching and learning! Hopefully she looks back from her experience as an administrator and regret some of the subjacent decisions she had made. So long Jacobs! Enjoy your retirement! Our kids are now free from your academic restraints!

Posted: August 17, 2014

This is a great school with a wonderful staff and caring teachers. I was blessed to get my daughter in this school this year. She starteed K, her teacher is Mrs. Keith and I can tell you that within a week my daughter is already rhyming. Love the school, love the staff and teachers> THank u Calahan for making parents want to bring their children to ur school.

Posted: August 12, 2014

This school's administrations is disappointing ... They don't help you at all...they accepted my child for kindergarten, after attending the first day...I receive a phone call at my work from the principal stating my child could no longer attend this school. I was VERY upset!!the following day I went to the school asked to speak to the principal, they made me wait for more than an hour to tell me she didn't have time to talk to me. After all that time being there I just saw all the staff chit chatting and standing around really doing nothing.

Posted: August 4, 2014

Calahan Community Charter is a stellar school with a caring staff, supportive parents, and remarkable students. I feel blessed to be a teacher at Calahan! Visit our school website to learn more. :) www.calahankids.org

Posted: July 27, 2014

This school is great. I thought about private school for the first years of my childs schooling but after kindergraden I was beyond happy with the teachers and shes been there since. This school is better than some private schools, top notch teachers!

Posted: June 7, 2014

Well this was my first year, first son, first kindergarten ever, I'm a young parent, wife and I work full time, so we go home tired. this school has the option of YMCA [heard they are great and they look great]. Ms Cohen was awesome, my kid has some authorities issues, and she help many times calm him down, she was amazing. Kindergarten = Addiction,sustraction, reading ...WOW you guys were great!!! I think we are ready for first grade. Office Staff , seen then once or twice they look kinda lost...but they were nice. About the principal just seen her for events, BUT they have a lots of events, so it make me feel involve... Math nite, loved guys. Fridays yogurt.... Cant wait for next year. Keep the good work calahan staff !! PE also great, we found coach at local costco and he recognize my kid, we have a small talk. Awesome guys

Posted: April 10, 2014

Our 12-year old son went to school here for all of elementary school and now our daughter attends the first grade. It is our neighborhood school and we love it. The teachers and office staff are great and very welcoming. Also, the after school enrichment program is awesome. No complaints.

Posted: March 25, 2014

I almost did not consider this school at all based on the 6 out of 10 rating here (though I see it is an 8/10 on other sites), and the last two reviews make this school sound terrible...however, I found it to be the exact opposite when I went on a tour. From what I can tell Calahan Elementary looks to be an outstanding school that is more deserving of a 10 rating. Granted I have only done the tour, but I am more than sold on this amazing school and all that it has to offer, and cannot wait for my daughter to be able to attend next year. Not only are the teachers, staff and principal warm, friendly and welcoming, but they obviously value methods of positive reinforcement, and a well rounded curriculum that caters to the development of the "whole" person rather than seeing students as just a test number result. I was also very impressed by the atmosphere on the campus between students as well. I found Principal Jacob to be accessible, knowledgeable, caring, and most importantly taking steps towards a positive progressive model of project based learning. Along with academics, they offer weekly PE, art, music, and gardening, along with many field trips, AND the library is OPEN.

Posted: February 3, 2014

I have been in Callahan for 6 years now as a student and I am in 5th grade. All you parents out there the pe coach coach ray is awesome and principal is awesome trust your kids will like it

Posted: September 1, 2013

Horrible experience. The principle does not have the kids best interest at heart! She only cares about school ratings and only caters to special little learning soldiers. Very disappointed because you'd would expect people in this line of work - to be more nourshering afterall you are entrusting your children to them. She seems to have lost love for this profession. Lacking care , understanding and genuine joy of working with children. No complains about the teachers , so sad that the bad representation comes none the less from "the leader ". I worked in a school and truly expected better. No comparison!

Posted: August 25, 2013

My daughter jsut started (K), as any new parent iw as terrafied at the thought of my little one int he hands of others, I am happy to report Her second week has gone by smooth and i couldnt be more happier witht the staff the oraganization provided and the simple smile that so many people forget about. Its a very welcoming school with a wonderful staff. Again it has only been a few weeks but I am a very comforted mother.

Posted: August 19, 2013

Calahan Community Charter School is a top notch school all around. They have great teachers and staff that go the extra mile for the students. I am a parent, volunteer and former education teacher and I rate this school a 10! The best school in Northridge, Ca. You want to send your kids here! CALAHAN YOU ROCK!!!! :)

Posted: May 24, 2013

Looking for anyone who remembers or knew 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. DuBay (sp?). She was my teacher approx. 1965-1967 time frame. My name was Susan Hansen and she arranged to take me to her home one night. She was very kind to me, and if anyone can find her, she will remember me. Please tell her or her husband that I am looking to reconnect with her. For more information regarding the issues surrounding this situation, please contact me. Thank you very much.

Posted: May 15, 2013

I love Calahan! This was our first year there, and we couldn't have been happier. It's like a diamond in the rough in LAUSD!

Posted: May 12, 2013

I am a grandparent of a second grader at Calahan. His teacher has been absolutely fantastic. My grandson had some behavior issues and the teacher has gone above and beyond to help him be more attentive and willing to learn. His grades have improved and he is a much happier student. He is really looking forward to 3rd grade. The only thing he is not looking forward to is going to middle school - he wants to stay at Calahan forever!

Posted: May 7, 2013

I am a parent and a teacher at Calahan Elementary and I believe Calahan to be one of the best schools in the valley. When I started here last year, my daughter was attending her home school. But two weeks into the school year, I was so impressed with the quality of education and teachers, that I moved her right over to Calahan. There are so many hard working staff that work together, to make Calahan excel. The students are supported in all academic areas and Calahan also provides such a nuturing environment. Calahan stresses character development, teaching respect and above all kindness to each other. We also have so many fun activities like the Jog-a-thon, the olympics, Valentine's Day dance, building ginger bread houses, our holiday program and much more. I am happy to recommend to anyone I meet, that they should attend Calahan so that there children will have the best elementary experience. And they offer tours for any parent, the 1st Friday of each month.

Posted: April 1, 2013

Very disappointed in Calahan's capacity to facilitate parent/teacher communication. School doesn't respond to parents in a timely manner. A culture of bullying exists at this school. Not just student - student bullying, but teacher bullying. Teachers/Aides have been observed to use stern and intimadatory teacher methods, often reducing students to tears and causing our once happy to attend school student, not wanting to go to school. When student-student bullying is reported, parents are not notified and school response is often unsatisficatory. Children have been coming home with 2 - 4 hours of homework per night also. It's a very disappointing end to what was a promising start to the school year. Save yourself and your children the grief, and find another school.

Posted: August 15, 2012

Calahan Elementary is a top notch school with WONDERFUL teachers and an amazing Principal! It can be a little hard to get on campus for a tour, but once you see the school in action it is quite impressive! There are musical opportunities, a PE program with fantastic coaches, science (a garden and chickens on campus!) a new computer lab, beautiful library, and my daughter even had drama class in Kindergarten! Much of these programs are made possible by our amazing PTA as well as volunteers from CSUN! During her Kinder year she went on many field trips including the Valley Preforming Arts center, Undrewood Family Farm, Malibu Forestry Unit with a hike in the coastal mountains and a trip to Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena! Every December all the students at Calahan get to make darling Gingerbread houses-it was a wonderful experience to behold! The campus is also charming with nice green places everywhere for children to experience nature, and giant mature trees that provide much needed shade for this valley school! I am so happy that we made the decision for our daughter to be a Calahan student, and look forward to our youngest attending Calahan in a couple of years as well!

Posted: January 18, 2012

We had two children in Private Schools and transfered them to Calahan because of their high test scores. The Private School was not able to challenge them academically. My only regret is that we didn't start them there in Kindergarten. Calahan Challenges and Supports the brightest students as well as those that struggle academically to succeed and perform to their fullest potential. The entire staff, (teachers, aides, office, etc.) are amazing with their care and concern for all.