18151 Eccles St
Northridge, CA 91325

My daughter attends the magnet program at this school, and from the time she started until now, as she is getting ready to graduate, I have seen a significant improvement in several areas: the cell phone policy, proper uniform enforcement, safety around the school, and efforts to address and control bullying.I have also noticed a stronger commitment from the principal and the school staff regarding academics. There has been a big improvement in homework expectations and students’ responsibility toward their school duties.Although there are still some areas that need improvement, I believe they are heading in the right direction. I would recommend the magnet program.

attended only freshman year, the students were horrible towards me. my business was put on blast so many times in that school, the passing of my late best friend was spread around, my problems with substance abuse was spread around, and i was bullied heavily. I would not recommend even for education, the teachers don’t teach at the level the students need them to. the staff does nothing to help with the bullying and harassment but rather just let it continue and even hear on the gossip spread around. the students are so entitled and horrible, their parents did horrible jobs raising them. save your child’s mental health and find a different school.

The teachers and administrative staff here are so kind and caring. The student to teacher ratio is excellent. The school is small, and the principal seems to know every single student and their families. My child isn't old enough for the arts magnet program yet, but the music department puts on an impressive performance. Furthermore, the after school program is amazing. My daughter gets individual attention, physical exercise, and help with her homework. For my young daughter's elementary school experience, all I want is for her to feel surrounded by adults who care about her, and Cantara is exactly that. Truly this place is a hidden gem.

My older son is now a junior at Cleveland. His experience has been wonderful. He entered the Humanities Program after being in the Humanities Academy at Walter Reed Middle School. He was a decent student in middle school but has become a really engaged student as a result of the support and challenge of his teachers and community. He also plays on a team for the school. I would recommend this school to anyone looking for a welcoming and supportive experience.

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.