13815 Biola Ave
La Mirada, CA 90638

As a parent, I really appreciate what a gem Gardenhill Elementary is. Even though it's one of the larger schools in the area, it somehow manages to feel like a small, tight-knit community where families know each other, the staff knows the students by name, and there's a real sense of belonging.One of the things that makes Gardenhill special is the garden program. It’s not just a fun little side project—students actually get hands-on experience growing, tending, and learning from it. It’s a great way for them to connect with nature, learn responsibility, and take pride in something they’ve helped create.Most of the teachers at Gardenhill are incredibly dedicated and clearly care about their students’ growth and well-being. They go above and beyond to support kids both academically and emotionally. That said, there are a few teachers who still use outdated discipline strategies—things like publicly calling students out or withholding recess as punishment. It’s frustrating to see, especially when most teachers are using far more positive and supportive approaches. Fortunately, these few are the exception and not the rule, and many are nearing retirement, so I’m hopeful that things will continue to evolve in a better direction.Overall, we’ve had a great experience at Gardenhill. It’s a school that feels like a second home, and I feel confident my child is getting a well-rounded, caring, and strong educational foundation here.

As a current Hutchinson Middle School parent, our family has found the school to be supportive, structured, and truly committed to helping students grow both academically and emotionally.The school offers honors, music, and engineering courses taught by subject-matter experts who bring both passion and depth to their instruction. My child has been challenged in the best way and feels genuinely engaged in the learning process. Hutchinson also has a great selection of after-school sports and clubs, which help students stay active, build friendships, and feel connected to campus. In my experience, students who participate in these programs tend to thrive.One of the school’s most valuable resources is the Wellness Center, which goes far beyond emotional support—it helps students navigate peer conflict in a healthy, guided way. It also offers workshops and classes for parents on a variety of topics, which are, in my opinion, an underused resource. The Wellness Center staff are approachable, caring, and always available to talk through any concerns. Social struggles are common at this age, but Hutchinson truly provides the tools and staff to help students manage them constructively.I also appreciate that Hutchinson is a cell phone–free campus. Unfortunately, I’ve seen some parents encourage their kids to sneak phones onto campus, which only adds to the social pressures, drama and distractions students already face. I wish more families would support this policy—it exists to protect students and promote real, in-person interaction.While bullying is always a serious concern, I believe student behavior is often shaped by the environment at home. Students who struggle socially lack consistent structure, parental involvement, or healthy boundaries—especially when it comes to social media. As parents, we need to partner with the school, set firm limits around online exposure, and encourage our kids to stay engaged in real-world, enriching activities. In my experience, kids who play sports, complete their schoolwork, and invest time in hobbies don’t have time to get pulled into negative peer drama.No school is perfect, but in our experience, Hutchinson is doing a lot right. With continued parent support and student engagement, it truly can be a great place to grow and learn.

It is a safe school where I have made many friends over my 4 years here. The ASB plans a lot of fun events. The school just opened new tennis courts in the fall, the brand new football stadium is going to be open shortly and there will be state of the art facilities for baseball, softball and a practice field for band, soccer, flag football and football. Teachers here have high expectations and the work can be rigorous but it is still attainable to get good grades and go to a great university. The career tech Ed classes we have are helpful for students that might know what they want to get a career in. We have an award winning Welding program and entrepreneurship program. There are also engineering, family and education, biomedical science pathways for students interested in those. There are lots of clubs offered and I think it is a good place to be.