Westminster Ave Elementary School

Westminster is everything we were looking for in an elementary school and more. It is a small community school with 350 kids on a large, immaculate, bright and cheery campus dotted with beautiful green spaces, gardens and mature trees.
The principal, Barry Cohen, and AP, Karen Reynolds are completely accessible and transparent. If there is an issue, their doors are open and problems are addressed proactively. They care deeply about every child and every family and this sets the tone within the community.
The parents are awesome, like-​minded and down to earth. They totally get it and many in our class transferred out of SM schools, forfeited private school deposits, gave up spots at Mar Vista and CdA because they understood that something special was happening at Westminster.
The educators are passionate, progressive and collaborative. The kindergarten teachers all exceptional and offer a balanced curriculum that supports nurturing the whole child while at the same time focusing on mastery of academics. Miss Abrams, my daughter teacher, is absolutely incredible — the best of the best!
The enrichments are off the charts — my daughter has dance, vocal choir, music theory, instrumental music, fine arts, library, technology, yoga, mosaic and gardening. They have a book buddy literacy program where a 5^th grader reads to her each week which has given a strong tie between the upper and lower grades that further fosters a sense of community, respect and responsibility. She takes an after school Engineering STEM class which offers both paying and sponsored spots so that everyone in the school community has a chance to participate.
It is a very diverse school that reflects our neighborhood and my daughter has quickly built strong friendships with children of all backgrounds. My daughter feels safe, secure and has a strong sense of belonging.
Although we have given generously, we have not been asked for one dime. Fortunately, from parking and facility rental revenue the school can pay for the extras without relying exclusively on the parents to foot the bill. This creates a culture of acceptance and inclusivity to those of all means. It is a Title 1 school, and receives additional financial support.
To think that I had initially totally disregarded Westminster as a viable option for our children because of a reputation that wasn’t rooted in truth is insane! I just assumed that all the chatter must be true and I almost missed out on the gem down the street. Our daughter happily bounces to school each day, is thriving socially and academically which says far more than neighborhood chatter and test scores.
I strongly encourage parents in the neighborhood to check out the school.

I“m going to post a plug for Westminster Avenue Elementary here as I know some people may be in the position we were a year ago with touring, reading reviews and deciding where to send our daughter.
We decided to join Westminster this year and our family is very happy. It’s a great school with wonderful academics and enrichment classes; a beautiful, clean and stocked library, gardening, a fully-​funded and staffed music room, two computer labs, art, dance and choir classes. In addition, we have the WE Garden and are converting more of the asphalt schoolyard into a state-​of-​the-​art learning laboratory and organic garden. We work with local restaurants (Joe’s and Gjelina) to learn food science and cook with the ingredients grown on campus. The Principle Mr Cohen and Vice Principle Ms Reynolds are dedicated and 100% accessible and we love our Kindergarten teacher.
It really is a special school that will only get better with involved local families. If this is your neighborhood school, enroll!

We just love this school. Our son started st Westminster in Kindergarden, and he loves it! He looks forward to going to school, which is such a pleasure to see. Our son’s teacher Ms Abrams is amazing. And already I see a huge difference. He is learning so much so fast. The principal Barry Cohen is all you could hope for. Involved, knows everyone by name, and trying constantly to improve the school in various ways. We are really feeling part of the Westminster family. Such a hidden gem really thrilled we found Westminster! There is a music program, a library, and some really amazing after care programs that are offered here. Its a wonderful thing to be a part of.

My son is in Transitional Kindergarten. We were going to enroll him in a local private Catholic school but changed our minds for these reasons: the principal is an active, enthusiastic leader; the TK students are mixed in with the Kindergarten students; no other school in the Venice area offers art and music (which builds memory and mathematical skills); and the parents are building a strong network for all students. We are happy in our decision.

My son is a kindergartener at this school and we love it. The faculty is engaged. The principal is extremely dedicated. The school has a decade old gardening program run by volunteer master gardeners from the neighborhood that also partners with local restaurants for filed trips and other projects. The school was recently awarded an Adopt the Arts grant that pays for a dedicated music teacher and musical equipment. Ms Abrams is my son’s teacher and she is caring, and goes above an beyond. She is especially good with communicating with the parents on a weekly basis via email.
My son loves the school. It has a wonderful relationship with the neighborhood and is small enough that the principal knows each of the kids by name.
I will update this review as my son progresses through, but I am extremely happy.

This school continues to impress me, the teachers and the students are wonderful. Mrs. Steinberg is a great 5^th grade teacher she is a teacher who cares and enjoys teaching. I am proud of my son being in her class, thank you Mrs. Steinberg for being a wonderful teacher

Disclaimer: THAT time of the month! Sappiness ensues.
I’ve been caught in a sea of nostalgia these last few weeks. Mostly because I’ve suddenly been immersed in a literature that uses childhood as a basis for what many call pathology, but what I call strength and resiliency.
It got me thinking of my own childhood traumas, loves, hates, and fascinations. Westminster Elem. was witness to my transformation from a nose-​picking pre-​schooler to a boy crazy 6^th grader.
I’ll never forget any of my teachers from Westminster. While some were definitely *nicer* than others, each contributed to my growth and evolution. Here you go, teachers of Westminster. My Unilocal 100^th is dedicated to you!
Memories:
Pre-​K: Lizzy — I’ll always remember you in your cut off jean shorts, tie-​dye shirts and rollerskates. It would be until I reached middle school that I’d realized that you were my pre-​k teacher and not a cool teenager who let us do fun «stuff.» I’ll never forget how excited you were when 4 months into the year; I spoke my first words in class, «my mommy had a baby.» You were there on the very first «best day of my life.»
Kindergarten: Mrs. Brown. Most things are a blur about this grade. I do, however, remember getting accidentally hit in the nose with those metal skates. This would be the inception to my accident-​prone life.
1^st Grade: «Oh my god, am I really going to be able to count to 100???» Dear Ms. Soo, at that time it seemed as though it would be an insurmountable task. Patiently, you’d sit there with that long stick, «1, 2, 3, 4, 5…» no longer would I finish off with «dog, cat, car, mom, sister, tortilla, 5, 9, fire.» You gave me the gift of counting and would you believe that in college, Advanced Statistics was one of my favorite classes?”
2^nd Grade: Mrs. Harris! Good lord — witches are real. I used to wonder why you were so mean. I never peed on myself (in class) or hit other kids in class. You were a skank and you didn’t need to be.
3^rd Grade: Mrs. Gurtman — You were a wonderful teacher. I remember being really upset when you pulled a handful of us aside and told us that we’d be going to the gifted class the following year. I was upset because I wanted to go with all my other friends. I almost cried, but you assured me I’d be fine. I didn’t entirely believe you until I met Dr. Slaton.
4^th Grade: Dr. Slaton — another wonderful and caring teacher. You are the epitome of what an educator should be like. My mother still remembers that parent conference where you told her that I was a bright child with a big heart. You took a polaroid picture of us that day. It is one of the only pictures I have from that time. I think you knew this.
5^th Grade: While I’d love to call you a ‘poor excuse for a human being’ I won’t. I’ve carried with me painful memories from my experience in your «accelerated» academic class. It was 5^th grade and we didn’t *have to* learn logic or calculus. You called those that didn’t learn at the capacity you expected, «flunkies,» and you’d publicly humiliate them and their test scores. Your class taught me about pain. It was the year of your husband’s death, my childhood friend Blanca’s death, Magic Johnson’s HIV positive test results and the L.A. riots (a death attempt on South Central by its own residents). As much as I’d love to hate you for berating young children, who really just wanted to be children, I’ll only feel sorry for you. Childhood traumas work in mysterious ways. I’m entering an exceptionally empathetic professional field, most of my undergraduate research was on HIV, and I have committed myself to bringing out and showcasing the impeccable capacities for strength and resiliency of South Central residents.
6^th Grade: Ms. W. & Dr. Asuquo — genuine laughs and smiles were had in your classes. Not only would I re-​learn sex ed through you, but I’d giggle in excitement when I’d catch a glimpse of my *boyfriend*, yet ignore him when he came close. Oh the joys of childhood dating. I’d start wearing training bras, learn how to put a maxi-​pad on and say no to drugs and boys. I’d begin to first develop physically, and then emotionally.
Mr. Robbins, School counselor — You came into my class one morning and asked us what we’d received for xmas. As I listened to all the nice and expensive gifts everyone had received, I thought about lying about the gifts I’d received. We never celebrated xmas bc of my mom’s religion. However, my aunt did give me socks. When I said «socks» you asked me what color. I said they were yellow with white lace. You thought that was the coolest gift ever. I smiled and wore them to school the next day.
You have all impacted my life. Sometimes when I try to operationalize success –money, homes and happiness (in that order) find their way into the equation. Tonight, the definition of success is to positively impact ONE individual. Faculty of Westminster– you have succeeded in my eyes.