Paradise Canyon Elementary School

I’ve had two children go through this school with similar experiences. Neither had any standout years to look back on. While a few of the teachers are better and more experienced than others, there is a lack of creativity and seems many just tow the line. Projects and assignments are exactly the same despite our children attending the school many years apart. Parents and many teachers seem to be focused primarily on social relationships within the community above all else which leads to a toxic environment. Out of the three public elementary schools here, this one has the reputation for having the most drama among kids and parents. Palm Crest has a much better reputation. A large overhaul is needed in this district to bring in new teachers that can think beyond the box and spark joy in learning as this has been absent when speaking with other parents. There are however many opportunities for families to get involved especially in the earlier grades, but that can also be a huge negative. Having the same certain parents takeover leads to a lot of favoritism among the teachers which is painfully apparent for all to see. Covid was a blessing and a curse in that it was a much needed break and reset from the nuances of the school, but it was also clear that other districts were way ahead in regards to instruction, even during that unprecedented event.

The survey showed that nearly 19.7% of people thought Los Angeles had the rudest residents. One example supporting this claim was from Paradise Canyon Elementary School. Here, parents were so rude that crossing guards quit, and PTA members refused to work the car line. The school's principal, Carrie Hetzel, told the LA Times, "We can't even keep crossing guards at our school anymore. They quit because parents are so rude and yell at them every day."

We have had 2 children attend Paradise Canyon Elementary and they both had different experiences. My older child had a mediocre experience and often felt like many of the teachers, especially in the upper grades, did not care and yelled a lot. My younger child, who is in special education, has been bullied by students and teachers and did not feel supported at this school. Most teachers have been there for a long time and are unwilling to change their approach with students or support the needs of all students. Teachers are not held accountable for their actions and are often protected by the principal despite poor treatment and blatant disregard for students needs. This school also shows a lack of progress in social-emotion development and support for their students and has clearly shown that their main priority is test scores and attendance so that they can receive their awards. If you have a child that does not fit the mold of the "normal student", this is not the place for them. On the positive side, there are a couple of bright, shining stars that go out of their way to make learning fun and exciting and, for them, we have been extremely grateful. It also seems that there are attempts to improve special education, but it has a long way to go. There are a few family events that are enjoyable and worth attending. If we were able to do it all over again, we would choose one of the other two elementary schools or not be in this district at all. Between the way students are treated, the expectation of thousands of dollars in donations every year, the expectation of hiring tutors to help your child with their deficits when they are falling behind... I'd spend my time, money, and energy on an elementary school elsewhere.

This school is amazing and I have many great experiences here. The teachers are great and they have a great program to help students who fall behind with nice and helpful teachers.

My daughter attended Paradise Canyon Elementary from Kinder through 6th grade (she just graduated!). We absolutely loved everything about it. It seemed like the teachers thoughtfully paired students with the teacher that best suited their needs and personalities each year. That level of thoughtfulness and attention also describes our experience at PCY generally. Administration and staff are superb. This is truly a top down expectation. The principal and office staff are wonderful. The teachers are skilled, patient, creative, and kind. The entire district puts students and families first, and all decisions are made with them in mind. It is truly a partnership between the community and the schools. PTA is strong and provides valuable programs, events, and activities designed to enrich in-class instruction. PTA works hard to ensure that there is something for everyone, and there really is! We had a wonderful 7 years and recommend PCY highly to others.