Valley Charter Middle School

Posted: April 30, 2024

Do not send your children to this school! This school does not offer/provide safety for kids being bullied and harassed at their school. My son was mentally and physically bullied by the kids in this school and I when it was addressed to the administrators they did NOTHING! My son couldn’t even finish the school year because he was afraid to return to school.

Posted: April 30, 2024

Posted: April 30, 2024

Posted: April 30, 2024

Posted: April 30, 2024

Posted: April 30, 2024

Posted: April 30, 2024

Posted: April 30, 2024

Posted: October 26, 2020

With all the chaos that is happen all around us, I feel the school is doing an amazing job at keeping the lines of communication OPEN. VCMS is trying their best to keep that strong community feeling.

Posted: October 26, 2020

The homework is not overwhelming. It is meaningful and always my children to have the time for extra curricular activities.

Posted: October 26, 2020

Even through these challenging times the teachers are responsive. We always receive a reply via email in a timely manner. Our concerns are always addressed.

Posted: October 26, 2020

Posted: October 26, 2020

There is constant communication between staff and families.

Posted: October 26, 2020

Posted: October 26, 2020

Posted: June 4, 2020

Posted: June 4, 2020

This school was a perfect fit for my 6th grade son. It was small enough that all teachers and staff know all of the students by name. They care about the whole child and go out of their way to be available for their academic needs and are sensitive to their social emotional needs. My son felt respected and valued and his enthusiasm for school has stayed strong. It is a school that teaches what is important: how to be a conscientious critcal thinker and to use these skills to make our corner of the world a better place.

Posted: June 4, 2020

There is little homework and I like that it is all meaningful and not just "busywork". The kids are requires to read at least 40 minutes a day as a part of their homework, but are not held accountable if they don't which makes it difficult, as a parent, to enforce.

Posted: June 4, 2020

The teacher provide real life applications to their lessons. For example, in math, the 6th graders go to a grocery store and do price comparisons- they have to figure out the price per unit and determine which is the best deal. In science/history, they mumigied a cornished hen when learning about Ancient Egypt.

Posted: June 4, 2020

Posted: June 4, 2020

Posted: June 4, 2020

Posted: October 24, 2019

I have one daughter who is in high school now who loved her time at VCMS. She loved all of her teachers, made amazing friends, felt challenged and nurtured. She was involved in multiple sports, did drama and went to school functions. She still loves to come back and visit. I currently have twins who have been there for a few months and they too seem to be thriving. Even though my older daughter loved the school I was still torn on sending the younger ones. So far, I'm glad I did. They have made new friends, love their teachers and are doing much better academically than they were doing in elementary school. I think the teachers here are so passionate and enthusiastic about teaching and it pulls the kids in and makes them want to do their best.

Posted: October 24, 2019

My kids are not fans of homework (what kids are right?) and there is a little homework at VCMS but nothing overwhelming and it's usually project based and interesting. In the 6th grade, my kids (twins) have to free write four pages a week. They can write about anything their hearts desire! My kids who, like I said, hate homework usually write 8!

Posted: October 24, 2019

Every teacher at VCMS is a gem. They all give out their email addresses to the kids and truly make themselves available to chat, help, inspire and reassure their students 24/7. The teachers are one of my favorite things about the school.

Posted: October 24, 2019

The school definitely tries! But as a parent, you have to meet them halfway.

Posted: October 24, 2019

Since this is a small school, the principal and asst. principal can be involved in all aspects of running it. There is no "passing the buck" here. Both administrators are accessible and responsive to any and all issues in my experience. Although I try not to be "that mom" there is always going to be some issue that arises (and I've had 3 kids come through) so it's important to feel your issues will be heard and dealt with properly.

Posted: October 24, 2019

I have one of those students and I feel VCMS goes above and beyond to support my child.

Posted: October 24, 2019

I agree with the caveat that they could do better. There have been issues in the past where I didn't feel that they did enough to deal with bullies but I do know that they are really trying to improve in this area and so far I have seen progress.

Posted: November 12, 2015

Posted: November 12, 2015

Smart, meaningful homework. Not busy work...work that reinforces what your child learned that day and manageable so they can have a life outside of school.

Posted: November 12, 2015

Posted: November 12, 2015

My daughter is currently in the 7th grade at VCMS and we LOVE it and could not be happier (nor could she!) We toured a ton of schools before choosing VCMS, and I've not regretted it since. She wakes up every day excited to go to school. The curriculum is stellar, the teachers and principal are amazing. The fact that they also place a huge emphasis on the kids social emotional needs, not just academic needs, is beyond amazing - especially during these crazy years. Small class sizes (32 kids and a teacher's aid in every class), a school where the entire staff knows your kid, a school where the communication between parent and faculty is incredible, where your child will be nurtured and encouraged to go beyond what they think they're capable of, where they learn to be self advocates...why wouldn't you send your kid here? And the new campus is incredible.

Posted: June 1, 2014

VCMS is a great school. It's like a private school education for free. My children love going to school and working on their projects. To see my kids want to finish reading a book so that they can start working on their presentation for class is just amazing to me. Viva La VCMS!!!!

Posted: March 8, 2014

I absolutely adore VCMS. I'm an 8th grader at the school who has been here since the start and I have nothing bad to say about it. Though I will admit to going through some "growing pains", this is how every new school is. The staff here are fabulous. You can tell how much they care about you and want you to do well. They are genuinely kind and supportive not just inside of class but outside as well. I'd have to say that VCMS is one of few schools where you can actually have a conversation with a staff member about something not school related at lunch or break. The students actually WANT to come in at lunchtime just to spend time with the teachers. Academic wise, though we may not have honor classes yet, the teachers will push the students that they know can be pushed and help those who have a harder time. I also LOVE how the students can get a say in how the school runs. If we ever have ideas, the principal is always willing to listen to them. The staff value our ideas and listen to us as equals. Overall, I think VCMS is a great school that really allows students to thrive.

Posted: September 23, 2013

After searching for the correct Middle School, this is the one! My daughter wakes up happy to go to school, she's actually looking forward on Sunday to start the week. Comunication with teachers and school personel is on first name basis, they can text, call or email everyone. My son will start next year and he can't wait to finish Elementary to go there!!! All the subjects are integrated and now that we are looking for High Schools for her we are looking for something with non-traditional education and we have the upper hand! Thank you Valley Charter!

Posted: September 23, 2013

Though still experiencing growing pains, this school will offer your child a private school feel at a public school price. Parent involvement is a must.

Posted: September 19, 2013

After much research and word of mouth, I found VCMS, this amazng up and coming non-profit, independent charter school with a great child-centered progressive philosophy. Check out their website for more on their philosophy and their director and principal. I moved my child here from a well-regarded but very over-crowded district school with many sub-par teachers in sherman oaks where she was miserable. She is so much happier now! Small class sizes and better teacher quality is where all schools should start. The school is still growing its program but they already have great enrichment classes in performing arts, visual arts, technology, P.E. and spanish. I was so relieved to find out that at VCMS her CST scores were still advanced! With most if not all indepenent start-up charters, the biggest downside is facility acquisition. The catch is by the time VCMS and most charters have fully grown, developed, and improved their facilities, everyone will be clamoring to get in and there won't be room for all who are interested (ie Larchmont Charter). You need to get in when the charter is young and there is space available and grow with it. I highly recommend VCMS!! Take a tour!

Posted: September 4, 2013

Valley Charter (using tax payer money) and require mandatory service hours like private school. I don't feel this is right.

Posted: July 1, 2013

Amazing school. My child is going into 8th grade next year and has been in there since the beginning. I have watched the school grow and seen the students grow as individuals. It is amazing. The staff is great, the principal is so welcoming. This is such a tough age and I've observed how students come in the morning and greet the principal, the staff and even the parents. They walk into class and know their routine; it is not MILITARY, but relaxed and they know their boundaries. Many of us volunteer at the school and are there OFTEN.

Posted: November 13, 2012

My daughter just made the step up to middle school and making the decision to go with a young charter versus local established traditional middle schools was a big risk. I am happy to report that as a family we are thrilled with the sense of community, the whole faculty, the approach to teaching, the smaller class environment, and the learning standards. They aim to not just teach to LAUSD standards, but surpass them with a hands on approach to learning organization, accountability, self-expression, and multi subject project learning. My child is thriving both academically & socially. She feels safe and respected by both her peers and her teachers.

Posted: November 13, 2012

Not every school is for every student, but if you are looking for an engaging, progressive, project-based curriculum with amazing teachers, a responsive administration and an involved and caring community, this is definitely a school to consider. We've been here since the start-up year and have been very happy from the start!

Posted: November 13, 2012

All I have to say is SIZE MATTERS!!! 31-32 children to a class with TWO credentialed teachers is UNHEARD of in any LAUSD public middle. But not at VCMS. That's why I picked this school for my child. It's small (two classes per grade). There is only 6th and 7th grades this year... adding 8th next. The campus is (too) small and the population is diversified. After coming from a very small private elementary school and needing to find a public option - I found VCMS. VCMS doesn't have ALL the bells and whistles of many schools (established sports, clubs, etc), BUT they are slowly adding these things and doing it the right way - allowing the students to choose & lead in these areas (especially where clubs are concerned). Last year we had no computer lab. This year we have a classroom of MAC laptops and will be starting sports in the spring. The teachers are great and get back to you quickly via email. The principal is engaged and available. I only gave it 4 stars for parent involvement because not all parents participate as much as they should - me included - but ALL are welcome. It is a hidden GEM in the valley when it comes to middle schools. We LOVE Valley Charter Middle!

Posted: October 13, 2012

This school is our alternative to public school. The close knit community includes families, teachers and our esteemed Principal!!! It is project based, yet challenging, while meeting the standards.

Posted: October 11, 2012

Valley Charter is exactly what we were looking for in a middle school. A close knit student community, an involved parent base and a committed staff. I couldn't be happier with our choice of middle school.