8656 Balcom Ave
Northridge, CA 91325

I went to this school for the 7th grade last year, I would say it’s not the best school to go to. There was always shootings nearby, even behind the school. Some of the kids even carried weapons around around the school and threatened others. If you don’t look or act a certain way there’s a high chance you or you kid will be bullied.The staff here were really supportive, if you were having a problem with other students, teachers, and stuff just in general they are most likely to support you and help you out. Teacher’s were not the best, most of them are good at teaching and explain well. A couple of the teachers didn’t teach you and you were able to be on your phone, call people, watch movies, eat in class, and the teacher would tell you to be quiet so that the other teachers next door wouldn’t tell someone else, they would also tell us we couldn’t tell another teacher.I wouldn’t go to this school again if I could.

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.

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.

My son who is autistic loves going to school, we had an awful experience at his previous school and were so happy when he got assigned to Dearborn. The Teachers and TAs in his class are all so amazing and patient with the children. He is always so excited to go to school and tell me about his day at the end of the day. I can't speak enough about what a huge relief this has been for us as his parents, we have seen him thrive in this environment and are forever grateful.

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.