10016 Encino Ave
Northridge, CA 91325

Great school, except the fact that there is only one bathroom open at a time EVER and There are 10 boys in there at a Time.

If you have a highly creative, highly sensitive, artistic personality type of child, the school is not recommended! They do not understand children that think outside-of-the-box, or that have highly sensitive personalities. My child has been extremely bored and understimulated. His first semester teacher was not a good fit for him. It took 5months to get him changed to a different teacher. And in those 5 months, his behaviors were spiraling downward. I had stated it was going to be a lot harder to get him back to where he was originally, yet they expect change to happen in just a few weeks.He has also learned some behaviors and language in school that is never at home, and when he’s copied or emulated it in school… He’s gotten in trouble for it. When I mentioned he learned it there, the responsibility was deflected away from the school… stating he should know better. But if he’s not learning it at home and hasn’t been corrected for it, how would he know the difference?. My experience has been extremely disappointing. Some of the staff make assumptions or prejudge without really knowing a child… And will be dismissive when a parent is trying to explain their kids personality. I’ve known parents whose child got in trouble for standing up to bully, and when the parents stood up for him, the parent was called disrespectful.The school year has been very disappointing, frustrating and stressful for myself as a parent… And I don’t recommend it based on what I stated above.

My daughter is in 6th grade at the STEM magnet, and so far we could not be happier. The Academics are great; her courses are rigorous but there is support for the students to meet the demands, and she is excited about what she is learning in each of her classes. Her teachers have helped her navigate the huge transition from elementary school, all while keeping her engaged and challenged. The rotating schedule, clubs, and I&E are innovative and are one of the ways PHMS stands out. The biggest reason I'd recommend this school, though, is that every day she is coming home happy. Honestly, that is not what I was expecting with middle school, and it has a lot to do with the school community there. The teachers are kind, the kids seem nice and chill for middle schoolers, and the uniform keeps the middle-school clothes drama at bay. Her friends from elementary school all went to other middle schools, so we hear about a bunch of them, and they all seem to be facing a much harder social environment. I don't know what their secret is at PHMS, but I appreciate the outcome of their hard work and would recommend PHMS to anyone.

As a parent, I’ve had three children attend VAAS. Two have already graduated and one is currently a senior. Each of their experiences has been different, but one thing has stayed consistent: their confidence has grown and they’ve learned how to advocate for themselves.I remember when my oldest started as a freshman. He was nervous and trying to figure out where he fit in. He’s part of the LGBTQ community, and as a mom you hope your child will be accepted for who they are. At VAAS, he was. The diversity here is real, and you can feel it every day. He joined the dance team, got involved in theater, and eventually became president of several clubs. Watching him grow into a confident leader showed me how much this school was helping him develop as a person, not just as a student.My other two children were excited to attend after seeing his experience, and I’ve watched the same kind of growth happen with them. They all have different personalities and interests, but they’ve each learned to speak up for themselves and take ownership of their future. As a parent, that means everything.What makes VAAS special is the smaller environment and the relationships with teachers and staff. Students are known by name, and the teachers genuinely care. I’ve had teachers reach out not just about concerns, but to share progress and ideas for growth. It shows they’re truly invested.Both of my children who graduated from VAAS have now graduated from college, one from UC Irvine and the other from the University of Hawaii, and my youngest has already been accepted into college. That tells me VAAS really prepared them for what came next.One of my favorite experiences as a parent has been Digital Portfolio Night, where students present their own work and reflect on their growth. Seeing that confidence firsthand is something special.VAAS is more than just a school. It’s a supportive community that prepares students for life after high school, and I would absolutely recommend it to other families.