Los Cerritos Middle School

Posted: January 15, 2024

At one time Los Cerritos Middle School was the best Junior High School in CVUSD. Their math program was top notch led by a team of exceptional math teachers. Their Science program offered an Honor Science option that none of the other middle schools offered. Their English Department was difficult, but set students up for success at high school. Many school-choiced for their music department that included a jazz band that regularly performed at Bogies and a Choir that won the state championship and put on musicals that were better than the high school's offerings. This has all changed.

The teachers who produced those programs have all left Los Cerritos through early retirement or choice. The math department is still run by one of the superstars left, but other than her, the rest of the school is not as it was. The music program is gone--the band teacher lost his battle to cancer, and the choir teacher chose to go to a local elementary school. Every department in the school has lost their lead teachers, and it was not due to Covid. It was due to poor leadership that is neither supportive or present. The school was given a great deal of money through measure I to upgrade the buildings, and the LCMS leadership chose to put in windows instead of building a new science lab, performing arts center or even just updating the classrooms from the 70's. This school cares more about what things "look-like" than actual learning, and this is why their top teachers left.

Looking for a middle school to send your child to? I encourage you to ask Colina, Redwood or Sequoia where they spent their money. It will tell you what their leadership values. LCMS cannot retain good staff. Their test scores are showing it. The school who was once the school-choice CHOICE is now the school where parents are choosing to go elsewhere. Bullying is a problem. Their teachers are average at best. It is unfortunate because they were once a wonderful school both academically and creatively. If you are looking for academics go to Colina or Redwood. If you are looking for music go to Redwood or Colina. If you are looking for mediocre go to Los Cerritos.

My oldest two children went to LCMS and it was the best three years of their lives. My youngest cannot wait to graduate this year. What a difference caring leadership, and staff make--go to a middle school who has both.

Posted: January 15, 2024

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Posted: May 2, 2019

Disappointing - school seems not well organized and care more about how good 'we look' on tests than on actual learning. Grading is terrible - as long as you show for a class you are guaranteed C even though your kid has NO CLUE or good understanding of the subject. Absolutely ridiculous! Homework is pretty much just 'thrown' at kids after quick lesson and 'group' activities -- we are talking about 6th graders and teachers expect them to work in groups and solve problems to the just introduced topics? I see a lot of parents quietly re-teaching their kids at home - which makes me wonder what do teacher do in class all day?

Posted: May 2, 2019

Homework is pretty much just 'thrown' at kids after quick lesson and 'group' activities -- we are talking about 6th graders and they expect them to work in groups and solve problems to the just introduced topics? I see a lot of parents quietly re-teaching their kids at home.

Posted: May 2, 2019

Each teacher has his/hers own chaotic web sites that are not updated in timely manner. Very hard to find info and you have to navigate through multiple sites to get what you need

Posted: May 2, 2019

Posted: May 2, 2019

Just appears they are scrambling to get things done most of the time.

Posted: May 2, 2019

Posted: May 2, 2019

Posted: March 11, 2017

My daughter started 6th grade this year. She absolutely loves all her teachers and seems to be learning a lot. I've e-mailed a few teachers during the year and they have all gotten back to me within 24 hours. The front office staff is always nice (I had heard they weren't always) and the Prinicipal is easy to approach. I look forward to seeing how my daugher does on her state testing this year.

Posted: March 11, 2017

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Posted: May 4, 2013

LCMS is a rare school where high academic expectations are balanced with other opportunities. LCMS doesn't so much push students, but rather it offers opportunities which inspire learning, and enhance leadership, character and performance skills. Test scores are not the goal but you wouldn't know it from the results. For example, my student had a project that required a report. Her group inquired about making the report into a video. Mrs. M consented, Mrs. P sponsored the group, Mr. K gave up his lunch hour to supervise the production. All this in a one day turnaround. This is just one small example of the extraordinary efforts by staff at LCMS to empower students. The music programs demonstrate that engaging leadership can work magic. Mrs. H's musical had over 200 performers, who performed with precision and poise. The 4 choirs each recently won the highest ratings. She makes incredible personal sacrifices to bring success to 1/4 of students in the school. Mrs. B works wonders with her orchestras and gets standing ovations from students. Her students give incredibly nuanced and professional performances. Even average students become passionate performers.

Posted: April 30, 2013

I will be happy when my student leaves the campus! We have had bad teachers, bad administrators, and an overall negative 3 years. On all accounts, the staff has their "favorite" students and then the students they tolerate. If your student is not a "favorite" you will be in for a rough ride. The discipline procedures are not applied equally amoung students. It is also important to note that students called to the office for discipline reasons do NOT get to have a parent present. Parents are informed AFTER the meeting has taken place and sometimes not at all.

Posted: January 28, 2013

I completely agree with the dishonesty of some of the teachers and Dean. I had encountered a situation where the Dean's story kept changing. Yes, the school is average but my daughter likes it. She's never been very academic so the school has been fine for her.

Posted: January 27, 2013

As a parent and an elementary school teacher I value honesty in interacting with children and parents. The Dean at LCMS lacks in this area. The school overall is mediocre. If I had the money I would have sent my children to a private school. There seems to be a true lack of knowledge and compassion for children with special needs of any kind.

Posted: December 8, 2012

Superb staff and amazing Principal. Our daughter is a happy girl, with good grades. The teachers and counselors REALLY care!

Posted: July 15, 2012

I just came upon this website and had to speak up! I have one child who has just completed Los Cerritos and moved on to high school, one who is currently there and another on the way. I have been thoroughly impressed with the school. I have very unique children that vary tremendously in their 'needs' for a good fit at school, and Los Cerritos seems to be meeting all of them. From the high academic classes to the RSP classes my children have-- and continue to be treated with respect, care, and genuine concern for their well being. I am proud to say my children come from Los Cerritos. Strongly encourage your children to try their music programs--ALL are beyond excellent and will significantly add to your child's experience at LCMS.

Posted: June 22, 2012

I will never forget, how on the last day of school, my daughter (who prefers texting to talking) got in my car and thanked me for sending her to LCMS. Many of her friends school-choiced to Colina, but due in part to my laziness, I made her go to the school down the street LCMS. She said, Mom I m really glad you made me go here because I have made the most amazing friends and this year was AWESOME! I love being a leopard! I would have to concur. She has had terrific teachers who were responsive, thoughtful and helpful when I had questions or concerns. The teachers kept her interest and motivation high throughout the school year, both in subjects that I knew she would find interesting, and in subjects where I was frankly surprised by the interest the teacher was able to generate because they are not her cup of tea. Some of her friends who school-choiced are disappointed not because they did not have an academically rigorous program but because they had no joy in learning their academics. As a parent I would say that LCMS has the best of both worlds tough academically but administered by a genuinely caring staff and in a delightful atmosphere.

Posted: June 3, 2012

our son promotes out of LCMS this friday. we chose to send him here instead of colina and are very happy with our choice. he has met a much more diverse group of students and the learning he received from his teachers cannot be faulted. with dr. castro taking over as principal, the school became even better. as with so many things in life, your child will receive only what he (and his parents) puts into it. pay attention, be involved, check their homework, use zangle and yourhomework.com. that extra step really goes a long way to help a child succeed even in that minefield known as middle school.

Posted: May 26, 2012

This is my daughter's 2nd year at LCMS. I have nothing but good things to say about the faculty and staff at Los Cerritos Middle School. My daughter has excelled academically. In addition, she loves her Chorus class and teacher. The PE program and teachers are great as well!

Posted: February 5, 2012

I am very concerned about a 7th grader who has ADHD, this young man has been suspended numerous times for the most insane reasons & is being singled out to be made an example to the other children I suppose. He has absolutely no control of his actions & his mother has not filled his RX from his doctor since Dec. 19th 2011. So how can a school suspend a child whose mother is completely ignoring his medical needs? Please help him

Posted: June 11, 2011

My daughter has been at Los Cerritos for two years and is now doing better academically than she ever has. She loves school and has terrific teachers; the teachers and administrators make it fun and exciting to come to school. This is important at an age when a lot of kids lose interest in school. The Choir program is amazing. Band and strings strong too--as is ASB. Dr. Castro has really improved the school--night and day difference.. He has endless energy and enthusiasm and is always available. We're very happy at Los Cerritos

Posted: June 10, 2011

Great leadership skills in all grades in the middle school. My son a graduating senior decided to write a thesis about how he became a successful student and accredited LCMS and particularly one math teacher for his 'career' as a student. He is a straight A student and is going to USC with an accademic scholarship. Great music program--chorus, band and strings. I hear the new principal is improving what is already a great school

Posted: June 10, 2011

This is an exellent school. The students here have very good manners, there are awesome extra curriculum activites. They have very effective ways of learning that don't bore the kids. THey have plenty of clubs so they are never lonely or bored. The teachers there actually have feelings for the children, not just view them as money. THe principal participates in a lot of activites, and supports the kids. There is a lot of parent involvment, and i just have to say, THIS SCHOOL IS THE GREATEST!

Posted: June 10, 2011

Great 6th grade experience at Los Cerritos. All the teachers were caring, involved, and responsive to parents & kids. My student had great support. He sought it out., as did we. In other words, when he had difficulties, or when I thought he might be having difficulties, we spoke up and were well received. LCMS is great for music, academics, and sports. New principal has made all the difference. Great opportunities for parent volunteerism & involvement.

Posted: June 2, 2011

The principal is too concerned about protecting bad teachers. The school would be a better place if administrators cared more about protecting students and seeing that policies were fair and even-handed. We've had problem after problem with one teacher beginning with an assignment that my son felt was inappropriate because of sexual content. He complained to the teacher and she dismissed his concerns. Finally we had to write a formal email to the teacher and threaten to contact the district if she continued to ignore his concerns. Only then did she deal with the issue. Very sad because some of the teachers are excellent. You just can't ever get rid of the bad ones.

Posted: June 2, 2011

3 of my children have gone to this school. Sad to say that they just can't seem to ever get rid of the bad teachers. Two of my kids have had the same English teacher and she is horrible. When we had a complaint about some unprofessional behavior by one teacher in particular, she showed up for the meeting with her union representative. It seems as though we weren't the first parents to have complaints about her.