8724 Cadillac Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90034

My child has been attending Shenandoah since Pre-K. I can honestly say it has not been a good experience. Education is portrayed to be important in this school, but isn't taught as such. It's obvious to me that many kids are struggling, and the teachers are not doing their jobs effectively. Instead, the children are blamed for not picking up information quick enough. There is no support here for the children or the parents. The teachers are not held accountable and the principal is quick to defend the teachers.

My daughter loves Hami. She is in AMPA, the music school. And plays sports. The kids she has met are nice and fun. Teachers are experienced and involved. School is challenging but not too much homework. Administration cares about the kids and takes safety seriously. Lots of staff on campus. My kid likes the Block class schedule: you take 7 classes rather than standard 6. And it makes the week more interesting/always changing. It's just feels like a fun place ...w lots of student-run clubs and music / bands in the quad at lunch etc.Hami is not our home school, but the drive is worth it.

This has the potential to be a good school but in its current form, it's just not. Most of the kids are here to learn. The problem is there is a good 10-20% of kids who are failing and take up most of the teachers energy. The biggest concern for parents should be this: violent fights on a weekly basis. And this should be cause for alarm: these kids get a 1-2 day suspension and return to school the very next day. If you look ok tiktok you will see pretty intense unprovoked fights right out in the open. The principal Dr Ford, seems unwilling to enforce any serious disciplinary measures or maybe they are just overwhelmed and in denial. They actively keep parents out of the school and I think this is how most parents are ignorant to just how much sketchy stuff goes on at this school. There are great teachers here, super engaged and caring but they have so much work to do to help the failing students. Even the IHP and Languages program have to contend w the kids who are causing fights at recess, lunch and a shared PE. There is a lot of racism directed at kids who are in the minority so that's something you should be aware of as a parent. The AP is great but she definitely toes the line and there is only so much she can do. Dr Ford might be great behind the scenes but she is quite inaccessible to parents and students - except at events. Middle school kids will always act up wherever you go but MT seems to be especially rough. Maybe one day Mark Twain might get their stuff together but right now, it's not quite there if you are a family who cares about a safe environment for your kids.