18615 Dearborn St
Northridge, CA 91324

Unfortunately, our experience with this school was extremely disappointing. While the school places heavy emphasis on academics, it fails to address equally important aspects of a safe and supportive learning environment.Bullying was not handled with appropriate discipline or urgency, leaving my daughter feeling unprotected and unheard. Repeated attempts to communicate concerns through emails went unanswered, which was both frustrating and concerning as a parent. When serious issues are raised, timely communication should be a priority.Additionally, there appears to be little enforcement of dress code standards, allowing students to dress inappropriately for a school setting. This lack of structure contributes to an overall environment where boundaries and accountability are missing.A school should educate the whole child — not just focus on grades and test scores, but also character, safety, and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, this school prioritizes academics while neglecting student conduct, communication, and basic standards. I would strongly encourage administration to reassess these areas to better support students and families.

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.

All four of my children attended this school with the last one finishing 5th grade in 2023. The teachers my children had were remarkable and to this day we still have a close bond with some Teachers. Principal Wells is a warm and strong leader and cares for all her students. My kids still miss her. My kids loved being a part of the GATE program for gifted students. They also have intervention groups for kids falling behind in Math and reading. They have an excellent special education department that provided my sons with speech and social skills. They handled the global pandemic online incredibly well considering online wasn't the norm for them. The school is truly a friendly and safe community for kids.

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.