Granada Elementary Community Charter

Posted: June 11, 2025

I’m beyond happy with this school. My son is thriving! The teachers have been on top of everything. It’s a lot of work but I think it’s good for the kids.

Posted: June 11, 2025

Posted: June 11, 2025

Posted: June 11, 2025

Posted: June 11, 2025

Posted: June 11, 2025

Posted: June 11, 2025

Posted: October 27, 2022

I agree with the review below. Above all the qualify of education is very low to non-existent in too many classes. There's no continuity from grade to grade. Old-timey, lazy teachers refuse to teach the curriculum. One in particular didn't teach much at all, he focused on "fun" activities. Another makes up her own curriculum. I know maybe two good teachers in the entire school but they don't get involved past their own classroom. Probably because they have come to the conclusion that this school is a lost cause. There is no Halloween parade or any other comparable event through the year. The principal is present and by that I mean he is physically there but that's all. He's just cashing in a check and letting the teachers walk all over him. There is absolutely no playground equipment. The school grounds are super old and falling apart. There's always issues in the bathroom. The asphalt is a danger to all. It should have been replaced probably a decade ago. Children continuously fall and scrape up their bodies. I'm talking knees, shoulders, elbows, hips faces! all scrapped up. The cracks let out loose asphalt so there are rocks everywhere. The children step on them and bruise their feet yet the teachers still make them run laps for "P.E." There's a sorry excuse for a PTA. I've not seen the children benefit from anything this organization has done for them. I've actually never seen them do anything but fundraise and they ask for "cash only". PTA is run by a district employee. Bottom line if your looking around for a school look somewhere else. If you don't have a choice get out as soon as you can. Trust me when I say this school will not be better next year or the year after. It only gets worse and worse.

Posted: October 27, 2022

Posted: October 27, 2022

Posted: October 27, 2022

Posted: October 27, 2022

Posted: October 27, 2022

Posted: October 27, 2022

Posted: October 27, 2022

Posted: August 14, 2021

Posted: August 14, 2021

Posted: August 14, 2021

Posted: August 14, 2021

Posted: August 14, 2021

Posted: August 14, 2021

Posted: August 14, 2021

Posted: August 14, 2021

We moved to Granada Hills for the schools, but ended up hating the move primarily because of this school. It "used" to be a charter, but it lost that title a few years ago. Where do I start. Well, lets start at the top. The principal. I can think of 1 word, spineless. A complete pushover, and a puppet of the LAUSD school system. This school constantly systematically sets up meetings to make it difficult for parents to attend, speak up, chime in, or provide useful feedback. The principle SAYS he's listening, and "making things better", but it's not, and he rarely follows up. Important meetings that NEED to be attended?, sure, lets just schedule that 1 day before and send an email at 7pm the night before. Oh, it needs to be rescheduled?, sure lets NOT tell anyone, and let all the parents show up, only to be told it was rescheduled. Half assed backwards and unorganized. Next, the teachers. There are a few good ones, but most are LAZY. Ive had to jump into many parent conferences to mention better ways of doing things. If I was you, RUN AWAY. This school is the pits. The "Gem of Granada Hills" this is not.

RUN AWAYYYYY!!!!!

Posted: May 6, 2021

I love this school, I give it 5 stars because of the office staff (not so much the principal) and teachers. The staff is very friendly and helpful. This school is very lucky to have 3 of the most wonderful, caring and dedicated teachers I've ever known. Mrs. Tenen, 5th-grade teacher, deserves a medal for being so caring and pushing kids to be their best. Mr. & Mrs. Ellis are just as wonderful. They not only focus on academics. They also teach kids how to be good human beings. This world would be a better place if we had more teachers like them. All 3 go the extra mile for their students. I am extremely grateful for them.

Posted: May 6, 2021

Posted: May 6, 2021

Posted: May 6, 2021

Posted: May 6, 2021

Posted: May 6, 2021

Posted: May 6, 2021

Posted: May 6, 2021

Posted: October 14, 2019

Posted: October 14, 2019

Posted: October 14, 2019

Posted: October 14, 2019

Posted: October 14, 2019

Posted: October 14, 2019

Posted: October 14, 2019

This school is a disappointment. Unfortunately, I had to move from our hometown and enrolled my son here. He has always been a kid that gets excited to go to school. Since moving here, he is always unhappy to go, his teacher is rude and passive aggressive, the school is a mess in itself. You can’t ever tell who is a yard supervisor, kids do whatever they want in the playground. I would never recommend this school to anyone. The staff in the office aren’t professional at all and will leave you talking to yourself if someone they know walks in or needs something. Will be taking my son out of here.

Posted: December 23, 2017

Posted: December 23, 2017

Posted: December 23, 2017

Posted: December 23, 2017

Posted: December 23, 2017

Posted: December 23, 2017

Posted: December 23, 2017

This school is so diverse in the needs of its students who come from many outside neighborhoods. The great thing about Granada is that it accepts and supports ALL students regardless of their abilities or circumstances. Many schools can't say that. The students continue to make steady progress at this school, whether they come in lower or higher academically than students at other schools. It's an elementary experience that nurtures a love of learning that sets the tone and follows the students for the rest of their lives.

Posted: May 18, 2017

Posted: May 18, 2017

Posted: May 18, 2017

Posted: May 18, 2017

Posted: May 18, 2017

Posted: May 18, 2017

Posted: May 18, 2017

the teachers rock! If the local people can stop sending thier kids to other schools, we can bring our community feeling back

Posted: April 27, 2017

Posted: April 27, 2017

Posted: April 27, 2017

Posted: April 27, 2017

Posted: April 27, 2017

Posted: April 27, 2017

Posted: April 27, 2017

Overall the teachers are wonderful. The principal is the problem, she sweeps bullying problems under the rug, Also everything must be in cash. (field trips, fundraisers, tee-shirts) Is that even legal? Why are parents not allowed to write checks? The campus is dreary, no bright colors,flowers,the garden is dead. Children need a bright, creative environment this school looks like a prison. Lack of school spirit is just sad. Other public schools do much better with their fundraisers. (Tulsa,Darby, Van Gogh to name a few.) there is potential, it could be a creative,bright school for the children, the teachers are wonderful it is Miss Van Houton, who sets the tone. She is lazy ,and uncaring.

Posted: August 18, 2016

Been here for 24 years and counting. A great small school that continues to improve.

Posted: November 5, 2015

Posted: November 5, 2015

Posted: November 5, 2015

Posted: November 5, 2015

The teachers at Granada are great! Both of my children had an awesome experience here. Their teachers were wonderful and were always available for feedback and support. They are a community of learners and bucket fillers. Acceptance of all students is encouraged and bullying is not tolerated . Students are happy and are priority. Unfortunately some ignorant parents occasionally give negativity. For the most part you will always see a friendly face and a welcoming smile.

Posted: August 31, 2015

Posted: August 31, 2015

This school is a joke! At orientation the PTA president spoke only in spanish, never in english!!!! This is not an emersion school. Every kinder class was 75% ESL. When an english speaking student is done with their work they can go "read in a corner or be a great asset to the ESL students" told by the teacher. No SAS program as far as I can see. No curriculum for English speakers. This school is a disgrace to the community it is in and no one from the community attends this school.

Posted: June 2, 2015

LAUSD, let the teachers have more control in their classrooms. Stop making them do things for the kids that the parents should be doing. (Breakfast in the classroom, lunch program - almost every free lunch student has a parent who wears $200 athletic shoes and a nicer car than me. it's only $4, come on.)

Posted: June 2, 2015

This is not the school's fault. Like every school, they have to give in to political and parental pressure from lazy parents who don't want to be bothered with homework.

Posted: June 2, 2015

It's the parent's job, not the school's job to develop honesty, integrity and fairness in students. That being said, the school reinforces these ideas.

Posted: June 2, 2015

My Daughter has finished up the TK/K year this year and it was the best place for her to be. The Principal, teachers and staff are caring and work hard at polishing these little kids into well-rounded diamonds. My daughter loved all the learning and constant enrichment in math, reading, science and other subjects and given the pressures that are always brought on LAUSD by internal and external factors, the school does amazingly well. The fundraisers where students, parents and children got to hang out together were highly appreciated by working families and my kids adored these times together with their classmates. Our little TKer learned math and reading and is has begun her educational career on a solid foundation. Lots of after-school activities and lots of hard working teachers and volunteers who give their all. My only complaint is that parent involvement does not seem to be high, but this is not the school's fault. There also seems to be a lot of kids who are not from the school neighborhood, which in my opinion detracts from the sense of community that a school should have. Other than that, an amazing school.

Posted: October 24, 2014

Granada is a wonderful school with caring staff and principal. Mrs. van Houten is one of the best principals around. Both my kids went through the school and had wonderful learning experience. Love how the school puts so much effort to provide quality education to all students.

Posted: October 23, 2013

My son had a hard time in a private school he was going to. He would come home upset and constantly crying when I would drop him off, I knew that he wasn't getting the best experience and education he needed. I brought him to Granada Elementary and thought that it would be just for kinder. The teachers and staff were so great that I couldn't take him out. He loves coming to school and everyday he comes home he has something new to show me. He is in first grade and loves to read, he is quick with his math and is super outgoing. I work pretty late so I enrolled him in the after school program "Wood Craft Rangers" he comes home everyday happy and finished with his homework. Words could not describe how much I love being a part of the Granada Hills Elem. Family. I worried that my son would hate being in school so late and upset with me, but I have to say that it has helped him and made him a little more independent. I no longer worry because I know that he is in good hands. I hope that Our school Granada Elementary Wins this awesome prize, they well deserve the help, because of all the help and support they have shown the students and parents in this community.

Posted: August 21, 2013

My son is new at this school...so far he likes the teacher, his classmates and the after school programs. Everybody is very friendly at Granada Elementary!!!

Posted: May 1, 2013

i love this school i been in that school since 1 grade i loved it so much good memories

Posted: April 21, 2013

Great school! My son has attended since kindergarten and has made amazing progress academically. He has been identified as "gifted" and now in the SAS gifted program and enjoying his 3rd grade. His teachers are wonderful, really caring and competent.

Posted: November 15, 2012

I love Granada Elementary. My daughter has attended since Kindergarten. I have never had a problem with the staff and my daughter is so smart. She is really learning a lot and she loves it there.

Posted: June 7, 2012

I cannot say enough about the excellent education that my children receive at this school. The school is caring, open, safe, and a great place to attend. I am thankful for Granada Elementary.

Posted: June 6, 2012

My son has attended Granada Elementary since 1st grade and he is graduating this year. He has been in special needs day classes there since he started. We have nothing but positive things to say about Granada. His Teachers, Aides, Speech and OT Therapists all were fantastic. The entire staff at Granada is excellent! I highly recommend this school. He has made tremendous progress and we will be sad to say good-bye.

Posted: May 6, 2012

My daughter is ending her Preschool year here at the State Preschool Program, we had a possitive expereince at the Preschool with very caring teachers my daughter loves going to school and I was so thankful for her to have the oppertunity to attend. I found there to be a lot of supervision and a very impressive schedule that they followed. My daughter learned way more then if she had stayed home as well as social skills and math/ reading skills/ science/ and about the world arou nd her. I read the other reviews for this school, and our expereince for Preschool was nothing short of 5 stars. I recommend getting Mrs Jackson as a Preschool teacher to anyone thinking of putting their children into the state preschool program. The teachers aids in this classroom were over the top, and my daughter wll miss them all when she moves on to Kindergarden. Mrs jackons teaches Preschool at Granada Elementary thru the state preschool program, I am writting this review as a parent of a child whom attended in 2011/2012 school year.Get on the list early and ask for Mrs Jackson if possiable. We have a great expereince.

Posted: January 23, 2012

Not a good school to put your children to. I had both my children attend it and I did not feel a full support of the staff in the educational process of my children. There are lots of problems that staff sweeps under the rugs.

Posted: September 18, 2011

I Went to the Granada Volunteer meeting Friday. Volunteers are well organized and do a great deal of work. Also found out that Granada dose have a web site sponsored by the PTA. http://granadaelementarypta.com. Has a lot of info including a calendar and links to lunch menus.

Posted: September 13, 2011

This school's staff does not care for the well being of kids but rather for the high t5est scores at any cost. The higher their test score the more money they will get from the district and the more purple would be in principal's hair. The kids are forced to study all day and then do their homework till nearly midnight. The resulting lack of sleep and rest causes emotional and physical distress. There is no time left for family games, reading, playing with toys and after school activities. The entire day from 8 am till 11 pm is consumed by school work and homework with breaks for meals. Principal does not agree with that and emphasizes that kids need to be pushed to be high achievers, even if parents does not want that kind of pressure on their children. Nobody asks parents opinion. Principal decides what kids will be pressured and who would not. When parent complains, principal refuses to hear parental concerns. What she does not understand is that her political agenda and greedy attitude for money is robbing elementary school kids their childhood and causes emotional and physical distress.