11730 Thunderbird Ave
Porter Ranch, CA 91326

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.

Both my children attended Castlebay Lane Charter from Kindergarten through 5th, with my youngest one graduating in June 2025. We have had an overall wonderful experience. Principal Price cares about the students and has been bringing STEAM and additional educational programs to the school. The teachers are overall very caring and supportive. Some of our favorites were Ms. Cipriano (retired), Mr. Cascone (retired), Ms. Wartanian, Ms. Lee, Mrs. Mix, Mrs. Van Der Wel, Mr. Daniels, Mrs. Horosny and Mr. Sanchez. The families and parents are very involved in general. Really it's what you and your child make of the experience. If you choose to get involved and enroll your child in additional offerings (Example: run for student council, STEM/computer after school programs, recess BEL student volunteers, etc) then your child will have an enriched experience. If you choose not to participate and do the bare minimum, then you will not take advantage of all the school has to offer. We are very grateful for our time at this school.

This school has a great reputation and a great campus to work with, but where they fall down is in their reluctance, or refusal, to deal with the issue of mobile phone usage. Even though the rules about phones are clear and unambiguous the school has, for whatever reason, declined to enforce these rules, to the detriment of the students and their parents.

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.