11357 Orcas Ave
Sylmar, CA 91342

Most teachers at this school are decent people; they try to teach us how to learn and are always ready to help if we reach out to them. As for the rest of the staff, they rarely keep students informed, and their only apparent goal is to push us into Advanced Placement (AP) courses. I personally heard them trying to enroll two girls in AP Biology, even though the girls were getting poor grades in regular biology at the time. Even when collecting signatures for graduation, you are handed a poorly designed form containing contradictory information. I had to run all over the school to get my copy, even though the teacher for my third-period class was supposed to issue it. I remember once complaining about being bullied by other students; the school counselor responded quickly, and we began addressing the situation. Unfortunately, I wasn't satisfied with the outcome: even after the bullying issue was discussed in class, the teacher made it clear that everyone faces bullying in life and that it is normal. I remember how that particular teacher got angry when she saw a student wearing a hat during the Pledge of Allegiance. He asked if he could keep it on, but she walked right up to him and snatched the hat off his head; it turned out he was bald, and I saw how deeply he was hurt by it. Realizing she had acted wrongly, she didn't apologize; instead, she announced to the class that hats were forbidden and declared that she felt absolutely no shame for her actions. I don't know why she treated us that way, perhaps because we were not native English speakers, but she was truly rude and disrespectful. Furthermore, it was only after a student attacked another student that the school installed cameras and began calling the police to patrol the premises. Back when I first arrived and was in the 9th grade, I often saw used condoms on the ground. There was even a recent incident in the restroom, which is why the only restrooms currently open are the ones in the main building. What’s more, I actually witnessed the act myself—on the outdoor steps near one of the classrooms when I was in the 10th grade. The school offers a wide range of sports and summer educational programs. Thus, the safety level is 1/10; teaching quality 8/10; school organization 4/10; quality of school food 3/10; teachers' attitude toward students varies, sometimes 9/10 and sometimes 1/10; college preparation 7/10. Just remember one thing, you have to ask about and find out everything for yourself.

We had a foster child for a year who attended Brainard for forth grade. I was nervous about an LAUSD school because I went to Glendale Unified and always heard such bad things about LAUSD, but Brainard is different. Our foster child came in very behind on reading and they spent the whole year tutoring her in a small group. They did regular meetings between me, the teacher and the principal and by the end of the year she was at grade level for reading and was much more confident. I felt so connected with the teacher because they had an app to chat, so when I struggled to even get her to do homework, the teacher was super supportive and as a team we got through the year. The principal was so supportive and incredibly friendly, unfortunately he retired at the end of the year and I never got to know the new principal because or foster child moved away, but it was just a really great school that cared about the kids and what they were going through at home and in their peer groups at school. The after school program was great too. I only wish this school went through high school. It would have solved all our school worries.

I attended Maclay from 1-12 grade. It was a wonderful learning environment largely free from prejudice or bullying. The teachers were almost uniformly excellent and I was extremely well prepared for college. I would happily send my own kids there.

We have a student in the special education department here and I can't say enough great things about the support we have at Mt. Gleason! Everyone is so caring and kind and my son FINALLY has friends. The schoolwork is challenging but not insurmountable, and the curriculum is diverse and hands on. The entire staff has only ever been helpful and kind and I think this deserves a review here!