Brooklyn Avenue Elementary School

We’ve had a great experience at Hamasaki! The teachers are caring and the staff is supportive. The school is welcoming and really focused on helping kids grow. The school does a lot to make learning fun and maintaining academic levels high. We’ve had 4 of our kids go there. We definitely recommend.

The teachers, staff go all out for their students. My child is excelling and he never experienced issues with bullying.I would definitely recommend and feel safe when he goes to scho

We did not have a good experience with Lynette Vargas, the principal. My daughter was getting bullied and I had to intervene many times because the school never brought it to my attention and disregarded it. There was an incident where some of the students were bullying my daughter and other students through social media. The principal said she would take care of it through an assembly. Instead of taking responsibility and targeting the bullying that was taking place on campus, it was directed towards the misuse of social media. The principal did not want to acknowledge the bullying, especially because most of the students who were the bullies were doing well academically. There was no consequences for them, so it continued. Lynette Vargas is also a bully herself. There was an event at the school where they acknowledged Dolores huerta. My daughter helped out with the event and since she was exempt from wearing a uniform, which was an issue for staff, she wore a dress. She was sitting down with her legs crossed and the principal yelled at her to close her legs, that she could see everything. She made my daughter feel uncomfortable and while she got up to make announcements to the attendees she messed up because she was embarrassed. I wasn't aware what happened and after the event there was a situation where the principal yelled at me too. A week later, was my daughter graduation and she didn't want to go because of the principal. She did it for the family, but didn't wear the dress we bought her. After the graduation, I confronted the principal and I told her to be expecting an email from me in regards to the comment she made to my daughter in which she never responded. She got defensive and said loudly that she didn't say anything wrong over and over. I had to walk away because she was making a scene. After the incident, my daughter started wearing hoodies and sweats. I reported it to the regional director, Carlos Montes, and I had to keep reaching out because I didn't get a response. Supposedly, he was calling the wrong number when he also had other contact info. He said the comment didn't bother him, but her tone was inappropriate. We were bothered by both. After the meeting, I was expecting a call back and nothing. I believe she should have done retraining. I have friends that work for LAUSD and they warned me that they will cover for each other. I believe the situation wasn't handled accordingly and my child's self esteem and security suffers from it.

My child attended Kipp Sol from 2019-2023, prior to Kipp Sol my child had great school experiences, Kipp Sol changed everything. My child experienced bullying from kids and adults. There was a lot of favoritism by admin and other staff members. Since this experience at Kipp Sol my child has never been the same, struggles to go to school due to anxiety and depression. I knew at the time it was bad but now after reading the reviews I see just how horrible it really was and for a child that should feel safe and protected by teachers, admin, and staff, and didn't safe and/or protected is a shame. I would not recommend this school to anyone.

The learning expectation is high for the students while providing a nurturing and caring environment. Teachers and admin, provide ample communication. Their after school program is AMAZING.

I have had positive experiences with this school's staff and teachers. They provide a well rounded education including arts, music and PE. I would recommend this school because it is safe and small. My son's teachers have been great and he is even getting pushed to learn higher grade materials