11216 Ruffner Ave
Granada Hills, CA 91344

A genuinely committed principal. A very effective SAS program. The office staff are friendly and accommodating. It's not a big school which is a plus 'cuz it creates an atmosphere where everybody knows everybody even just by face hence parents get the sense of safety & security for their children. When you know that the faculty has been in this school for years, you get the sense that they know what they're doing thus concern for incompetence is not an issue, and "old school" is not the word for these cool, young at heart, well-experienced mentors of young minds. We can say that they have the best interest for your child when they really are standing up against bullying and they don't take sides 'cuz they really investigate, and the principal have zero tolerance to it. The bully gets warned, and nothing worse follows after an issue is brought up. Nobody gets vilified. Nobody is counted out and nobody gets preferential treatment. It's a really great school, and we think this school should get a 10 out of 10 and not the atrocious 6/10 it got which is a surprisingly a point lower rating than the school we transferred our child from. The teachers in this school do not practice partiality according to what each has in skin color unlike that other school which heavily favors a certain ethnic group just because most of the faculty are of the same ethnic group. The teachers here grades your child accordingly & accurately to their behavioral performance & academic achievement irregardless of skin color...And they're not plastic but truly authentic in their mentorship.

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.

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.

My daughter graduated this past June 2025 and was there for her four years of high school in the Magnet program. Over that time, I’ve seen the school go through many positive changes with staff and campus improvements. My daughter was actively involved in sports, activities, and school events, which really enriched her high school experience. She received support from the Gleam Program instructors, as well as from the College Counselor, who was always available and willing to help. I truly believe that when students stay involved and keep a positive outlook, both they and the school thrive.

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.