20535 Hamlin St
Winnetka, CA 91306

My son is in the 8th grade at WHA. This is his second year there and he really enjoys it. He likes the block schedule as it gives him more time to focus on one class. His teachers typically give time in class to complete homework which I love because I feel that after school time/extra curricular activities are vitally important to a child’s development. The fact that he doesn’t have to stress over homework at the end of the day has been amazing. I like that they wear uniforms. Not everyone can afford the nicest clothes and this helps everyone feel like they fit in. His teachers have been amazing, offering extra support when he needs it. Principal Salazar is such a kind woman. You can tell that she really cares about the students. Mrs Harris and Randall help keep the school safe and help the students with their emotions. The school has a wonderful special education program as well. I have been very happy with WHA.

Canoga Park High School is very adamant about students doing the best they can and getting into college; assemblies are made to see where students are academically and to remind them about where they are supposed to be. They offer good magnets, academic resources, and extra summer learning apart from the usual summer credit make-up such as ninth-grade summer geometry classes. While CPHS has good initiative in academics they do a poorer job in almost every other aspect. Many of the non-magnet counselors (only ever encountered non-magnet) never answer their emails or are never in their offices, the campus is dirty with trash and writings on the bathroom stalls, and they lack a sense of urgency with student complaints (about other students/teachers/campus. There is very little accessibility for those who require a wheelchair apart from the one(maybe two) elevator/s on campus. Students are rowdy, ill-mannered, and have very little desire to learn; many classes get interrupted by a student who complains or tries to be funny in a disrespectful manner. Recently, mirrors have been removed from bathroom stalls in an alleged attempt to keep students in classes in the morning/during class time but to no avail students still linger in the bathroom and around campus.

Do not recommend this school at all! My child has been here from K-5 (as a gifted student) and the school has progressively gone down academically. The principal seems to be here to cash his check and is not interested whatsoever in the student's or parent's opinions. But don't bring that up to him because he will belittle you. There's no sense of community, aside from a few teachers who go the full mile for students.