Van Nuys Senior High School

Posted: July 9, 2026

VNHS is amazing! My son is going to be a senior and has had the BEST experience at VN High. The teachers are great, the sports are great, the parent engagement is great, and most of all my son is LOVING high school. I am always so impressed at Back to School night, the teachers are awesome and so kind. No school is perfect, remember that! Bad stuff happens all over the area and in all schools. Yes, the school is not in the best area, but it is safe and the staff and admin help keep it safe. Tour the school, talk to people, go see for yourself what a GEM Van Nuys HS is! I plan on sending my younger son to the same school.

Posted: July 9, 2026

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Posted: May 16, 2025

This school is very hit or miss depending on what teachers you get. The gang related activity and voilence at this school runs rampant and the staff do very little to almost nothing about it. Illicit drug use and fights happen almost every day at this school, even to the point of multiple stabbings taking place on campus over the years. The mental support staff here are rarely available or even present, and the facilities are poorly maintained.

Posted: May 16, 2025

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Posted: January 24, 2020

My experience at the school as a parent has been amazing in the magnet. There are very smart kids from great families with good values.

Posted: January 24, 2020

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Posted: January 24, 2020

My son has ADHD and the school administration and teachers provide the support my son needs like give him extra time for testing and guide him for time management

Posted: January 24, 2020

There’s no billing at the school. I have a senior and a freshman and they haven’t seen any bullying incident at the school.

Posted: February 26, 2019

I love the school, the teachers are great and overall great school! However, if your child is serious about music and you are looking to send your child to performing arts magnet, I say don't do it. The level of the music at the performing arts are terrible. I don't see how they can call performing arts magnet proudly. Its very disappointing. This is only for music. I am not sure about theater dept. I've heard regular school with much better choir and better music band (jazz band).

Posted: February 26, 2019

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Posted: September 9, 2018

I like it more and more each year. The magnet programs are solid and while the campus needs TLC it is quite nice to visit on back to school nights etc. The students I encounter seem to enjoy being there and all seem to be thriving.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Posted: September 9, 2018

If you are lucky to get one of the many engaged teachers on this campus, your child is going to have an effective teacher. Some, not too many, are burned out and seem to do the bare minimum, maybe they are overworked because some of the classes are too crowded. But there are more good teachers than bad in my experience.

Posted: September 9, 2018

I cannot say that I have seen too much emphasis on this aspect. There are definitely programs to serve students looking to do ROTC and student government, so maybe in those specific programs this is emphasized.

Posted: September 9, 2018

We are in the magnet program, and our support staff and leaders have been wonderful for us.

Posted: September 9, 2018

This does not apply to me and I have no experience to speak of with this program.

Posted: September 9, 2018

In an instance that my daughter was peripherally involved in, swift and effective action was taken to curb an online situation that could have gotten out of hand.

Posted: August 12, 2018

Van Nuys High is a treasure with one qualification. If you are lucky enough to be in one of the Magnet Programs the school resources are great. The home school experience is less than stellar, though, and there is such a stark difference in the classroom experience. I took a Government/Civic course that was mixed Magnet/Home school students and the level of academic rigor was nil. We read information from our textbook and answered the very basic questions at the end if the chapter, stuff I could do in junior high school. Magnet program offers lots of AP courses and teachers are often inspirational. I also took the Auto Shop class, which I felt was a unique offering at a high school these days.

Posted: August 12, 2018

Some busywork but mostly supplements coursework in a relevant way

Posted: August 12, 2018

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Posted: June 2, 2017

this is a great school no fight during class you rarely see students walking around unless they have a pass or work for the office they campus is usually clean most students are respectful all students always get to class on time.

Posted: June 2, 2017

This school always make sure our homework is ready for the next day with there strict homework policy and homework tab on the school website.

Posted: June 2, 2017

the teachers here always are there for you not all of them but most of them they try to help you every step of the way.

Posted: June 2, 2017

Posted: June 2, 2017

every morning we have announcements from leadership students and different clubs around our campus they are always here to lead the way to success tell us important campus news.

Posted: June 2, 2017

we have a strong special Ed program our special students are actually above average then other lauds school they help them every step of the way and these students are always included in everything and are not left out.

Posted: June 2, 2017

this school deals with bullying the most appropriate way! in the library there is a box called the bully box you anonymously put the person name in the box and the same day that person will be dealt with. And will be put on a contract if reprimanded with anything again will be sent to another school.

Posted: October 10, 2016

Professional development has recently focused on using academic language in all courses--not simply the advanced classes. Students with LD are making great strides on year-to-year testing.

Posted: October 10, 2016

Ms. Gardea encourages and answers emails at all hours. She's visible at all events during the day and into the evenings. She collaborates with both school based management and parent groups.

Posted: October 10, 2016

There's a great mix of veteran teachers with experience and new, energetic teachers that really create a great dynamic.

Posted: October 10, 2016

This is HS. Kids have homework. Tutoring is available afterschool, and even among sports coaches, homework and classroom success is emphasized.

Posted: October 10, 2016

There are plenty of LAUSD schools that do one or two things well. Van Nuys HS across the board succeeds in more areas. Three magnets (Performing Arts, Medical, Math/Science) make up half the school, and neighborhood students make up the rest. With nearly 2700 students, this school is able to have more sports than smaller campuses and more sections of each AP. Students don't have to choose between classes. All three magnets are treated like one group and have access to all magnet classes.

Posted: May 11, 2016

Looking for a high performing high school with unheard of arts opportunities? VNHS is it. Some might call it a hidden gem, but it's been providing a high quality option for families for generations. Magnet students are treated as one unit--Medical Magnet, Math/Science, and Performing Arts all have access to the offerings of the others.

Posted: November 4, 2015

Posted: November 4, 2015

Van Nuys high school is one of the finest offered I the public school system. There are dedicated and caring teachers that go beyond their duties. Most of the magnet teachers are high caliber instructors that love and are passionate about their subject. Some of our teachers teach at ucla's ap readiness which further supports them really knowing their subject!! The magnets also boasts very high ap pass rates ( highest in the district for many years) and offer an impressive array of ap classes. Many students have gone on to Ivy League universities and uc schools. The school provides extracurricular opportunities for students to participate to maximize their potential. We have to study hard but still have fun!! The student population is diverse which makes the experience of attending Van Nuys that much more special!!

Posted: November 4, 2015

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Posted: September 28, 2015

Exceptionally great teachers! Exceptionally great teachers!
Exceptionally great teachers! Exceptionally great teachers!
Exceptionally great teachers! Exceptionally great teachers!

Posted: September 28, 2015

Since the teachers are always well prepared and experienced they acts like college teachers bacause they want to prepare you for college. They do leave a lot of homework but it does help you a lot.

Posted: September 28, 2015

I am a senior at Van Nuys H.S and my experience with this school has been great. Their academic classes are so educational and far more advanced. The teachers are great and well experienced. If you are looking for an above average school this is the one. All the magnets are great. It has been an honor to attend V.N.H.S

Posted: March 10, 2015

My son is a nine grade student and in the medical magnet. He learn a lot different stuffs in this school. Such as hospital field trips and professional speech about careers. All these give the students a change to know about real life ahead of time. The magnets are very good programs.

Posted: May 18, 2014

My daughter was in the performing arts magnet. She loved performing in the musicals every year. The school offers AP courses which have some amazing teachers. She was able to get a great education and pursue her passion in the arts. This is a school with a mixture of the different ethnicities and backgrounds. I think the experience of her meeting them was valuable to her growth. The magnet programs have great opportunities and will let your child explore what they want to do. I've never felt my daughter was unsafe at school. This school has a large student body. I don't think any school can say they are completely "safe". If want to shelter your child from the world, this is not the place.

Posted: April 27, 2014

Cool but won't know for sure till fall :) The school offers a Medical Magnet Program

Posted: March 14, 2014

Drug dealing? Cheating?, Fights?, Bad students?, Bad teachers? What are you parents thinking? I, as parent wouldn't say anything bad about this school. Its a VERY GOOD school. I transferred my child out of North Hollywood HS where the students CHEAT their way out of high school, where its full of gang members that have tattoos all over their bodies, students who do drugs, most the students drop out, fights, cops, arrests. No Van Nuys HS is not like that at ALL. They have this AMAZING Magnet Program. My daughter is in the Medical Magnet Program. Northridge Hospital Medical Center, and Providence Holy Cross Hospital have provided opportunities for our medical magnets to explore the healthcare industry, as have a number of healthcare facilities around the district where these students perform volunteer hours required as tenth and eleventh graders. Now that's a SCHOOL!!! Most 10th graders pass the CAHSEE which really doesn't happen at many schools. I went to watch the MARCH BAND and they were OUTSTANDING, every year they win 1st place! I as a mother who is judgmental about schools, I fell in love with this school. Totally worth it!!

Posted: March 14, 2014

what an amazing school!! totally worth it. the magnet program is the best . great job!!

Posted: October 23, 2013

This is one of the most amazing high schools you or can go to. The marching band is amazing, and many of the kids at school have so much pep! This school has many amazing teachers like Mr.Furman. As a residential student the only thing i hate is that I'm looked down on because I'm not in a magnet program. Nevertheless, this school is awesome! You should definitely come here, we have many cool clubs and electives!

Posted: June 13, 2013

Class of 2011 !! Best teachers, staff and principal. So Sad to know Vanderbock is retiring, she did the school well!!

Posted: September 3, 2012

Van Nuys High School has some great programs. Besides the three magnets there is a Manufacturing Academy Program and an Automotive Program. This tech savvy school has 22 computer labs and uses a community networked web 2.0 website

Posted: November 7, 2011

This is one of the finest high schools you or your children can attend. We boast the highest advanced placement (AP) passing rate in LAUSD. This is no small feat as the national passing rate for the AP exam is well below 50%. There exists only 2 high schools that are on the same tier that of which Van Nuys is on which is Granada and North Hollywood. These 3 schools are one of the few schools that offer a selection of all AP classes. I can't say the performing arts magnet is heavily focused on school but if you are interested in the arts program our school is top notch. The marching band wins 1st in all of LAUSD consecutively every year. There are no drop outs in the math-science or medical magnet. It is a very competitive school and there are many caring teachers. My only complaint regarding this school is the social warfare between residential and magnet students. Magnet students resent the fact that residential test scores lower the school's ranking and the residential students resent the preferential treatment of magnet students. I am currently a Jr. in the Math/Science magnet. This school prepares you for college. I'm taking 5 AP classes this year.