5170 Amestoy Ave
Encino, CA 91316

I believe in the importance of open and respectful dialogue, and I want to share my experience as a former teacher in a constructive way.During my time at Portola, I was passionate about my work and dedicated to supporting my students. However, as a teacher with autism, I sometimes felt there was a lack of understanding and support for staff with diverse needs. This made certain aspects of my role more challenging than they needed to be.I also recognize that no environment is perfect, and mistakes can happen on all sides, including my own. Accountability and reflection are essential for growth, and I hope that by sharing my perspective, it encourages a culture where everyone—students, teachers, and leadership—feels valued and supported.My intention in sharing this is not to criticize but to provide transparency for parents who might want to be aware of these dynamics. Schools thrive when they foster inclusivity not just for students, but for educators as well. By creating a more supportive and accommodating environment for all staff members, Portola can continue to build on its strengths and serve as a model for equity and understanding.I share this feedback with hope for positive change and wish the school continued success in its journey toward inclusivity.

We’ve had nothing but an amazing experience at Encino Charter. The teachers and admin are top notch and the parent community is wonderful. Our child has been excelling and we couldn’t have asked for a better education and atmosphere. Highly recommend.

As a former student at Birmingham Community Charter High School I can say with confidence that I am extremely happy that I made the decision to go here for high school. The teachers are very helpful and their lessons make you well-prepared for the homework that is given. Also from my experience they try to sit down with each student that wants to learn and gives them every opportunity to do so. The counselors do much more than switch your classes. They are there when you need someone to talk to and are extremely helpful in determining what classes will benefit you and to give you perspective and positive reinforcement. The administrative staff are always on top of their work and do a great job to make sure that the teachers and ready and equipped to give their students the best learning experience. Birmingham is a community and everyone has a mutual respect for one another. I am still using many things that the teachers taught and the counselors told me to this day. When I decided to give Birmingham a chance I did not know what I was getting myself into. Now I know that I got a great education and friends for life. I also developed professional relationships with multiple staff members to this day that helped me make it to where I am now. Do me a favor, go to Birmingham. I continue to reap the rewards and I am sure you will too!