Halldale Elementary School

Posted: July 16, 2026

The school has a few friendly staff and teachers. However in my experience there is extreme favoritism. Teachers are not held accountable for how they treat their students.

This school is known for special needs programs but I’ve personally seen staff really yell at some of the special needs kids. You can be frustrated but in no way should they be yelled at as if they are delinquent kids.

The parent center is not at all welcoming. The PTA IS 75% staff and will outvote any parent trying to make a change. They also hide their finances and don’t share expense reports. They required that a president be bilingual but then voted in an only Spanish speaking staff member. They requested donations of candy’s to make leis for grad season but then the staff started making leis to sell at other schools for their own profit.

There is no holiday, school or cultural spirit ! The only event was their Halloween event and it required a lot of donations and they used cardboards to make games . Very cheap but keep all the funds with no report on showing how it’s spent. They don’t celebrate any cultural. There’s no student counsel for the kids to participate.

The kids only went on one field trip and a month before school ended they tried to fit in multiple field trips. HOWEVER it was only open to certain kids. They also only held it on Saturdays. Why offer a field trip but then limit it ?

Lastly, to be a volunteer to go on field trips you have to go to every coffee with the principal…. But only if the parent teacher center coordinator doesn’t like you, because there were a lot of parents who went on the Catalina trip and they didn’t go through the background checks and requirements. There is also never a schedule for volunteers and they never notify parents when they can volunteer but then end up complaining no parents help or volunteer.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL

Posted: July 16, 2026

Posted: July 16, 2026

Posted: July 16, 2026

Posted: July 16, 2026

Posted: July 16, 2026

Posted: July 16, 2026

Posted: May 27, 2025

Posted: May 27, 2025

Posted: May 27, 2025

Posted: May 27, 2025

Posted: May 27, 2025

Posted: May 27, 2025

Posted: May 27, 2025

Posted: May 27, 2025

I went to halldale, my mother went to halldale and now my son goes to halldale. He just placed into the GATE program as well. The school is amazing staff is always friendly and communicative. The teaching staff is amazing. My son entered kindergarten (didn't attend tk) and was reading by the end of kindergarten. I can not say enough great things about this school.

Posted: July 22, 2024

I went to Halldale when I was a kid and my daughter just finished her 5th grade year. I would recommend this school to any parent who is looking for a small school, great teachers, and staff. Whenever I had any questions about anything, the staff was always super quick to respond to my inquiries. There is a lot of support for parents and the children who need it. We loved all of her teachers: Mrs. Lira, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Morales, Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Kim, Ms. Manzo and Mrs. Woo. We are going to miss Halldale!!!

Posted: July 22, 2024

Posted: July 22, 2024

Posted: July 22, 2024

Posted: July 22, 2024

Posted: July 22, 2024

Posted: July 22, 2024

Posted: July 22, 2024

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

My oldest just graduated from Halldale today. What an amazing school! Teachers and staff are outstanding and very dedicated. Principal Allen is truly a gift to this school and will be dearly missed next year as she enters her retirement. Thank you Halldale!!!

Posted: May 1, 2016

Posted: May 1, 2016

Posted: May 1, 2016

Posted: May 15, 2014

I want to give a special Thanks to Mrs. Lee (Kinder Garden Teacher) and Ms. Lira (Pre-K Teacher) They are the BEST teachers, loving, and caring. Always looking out for their students. :)

Posted: April 28, 2014

Best elementary school in the South Bay Area! Caring staff, dedicated teachers and excellent parent involvement. I love being part of this school community.

Posted: April 28, 2014

Halldale elementary is a school with strong teaching strategies, high grading standards, emphasis in reading, faculty leadership, and a safe environment. The principal is great with the students, parents, and staff. This school is definitely one of California great schools.

Posted: April 28, 2014

Halldale is a unique school with a dedicated staff and faculty. The students here know how much the teachers care about their students and take pride in their school as well. We have excellent leadership, with an outstanding principal . We are all lucky to be at Halldale !

Posted: December 1, 2013

I believe that Halldale Ave is one of the best LAUSD elementary schools in the district. This commentary comes from a former student of this school. My daughters have the distinct pleasure of attending this school now. They are currently in Kindergarten and 2nd grade. Both of my daughters have seen first hand the passion and dedication of the excellent teachers here at Halldale. Not only do the educators make learning fun, this excellence in learning gets transmitted to their students. I believe the educators here at Halldale are some of the most innovative and exceptional teachers I have ever met. Another aspect of this school that I like is that the principal of the school is very involved in her students education. She even does special art classes for the students that my daughters extremely enjoy. I would highly recommend this school !!!

Posted: November 20, 2013

I am the parent of a 6th and 1st grader. My son attended Halldale Avenue from kindergarten through 5th grade. He is currently in the School of Advanced Studies program in a reputable LAUSD middle school. I strongly believe that my son's academic success is a result of the hard work and dedication from his teachers at Halldale (yes, even his kindergarten teacher). My 1st grader is performing exceptionally well and I am pleased with the quality of education she is receiving. I don t understand the recent allegations posted here. I have spent countless hours volunteering in different classrooms/grade levels in the past 6 years and not once have I experienced anything even remotely close to what has been posted. The teachers at this school love what they do and are not only competent and knowledgeable but also caring and compassionate. I'm sorry but one negative review is not going to undo all the good that Halldale has offered many, MANY children, including my own.

Posted: November 20, 2013

I am beyond happy about my children coming to Halldale Avenue. We came from another LAUSD school in the area and the improvements are visible everyday. To start the teachers are so dedicated to the students ( I have a 1st grader and a kindner). They are provided with great motiving rewards that I have begun to follow in our own home because they work so well! The principle is actively involved in both of my children's educations! I see her in the classes everyday from teaching lessons to checking in. I am an involved parent and I volunteer often so I feel I can give an honest daily opinion of what really goes on in the class rooms. There are many parent volunteers at Halldale that work side by side with these amazing teachers to help in our children's education in stead of making false claims of the teachings! I encourage parents to feel excited to become a part of this school!

Posted: November 19, 2013

I have been at Halldale Avenue Elementary School as a volunteer for 8 years. I know all of the teacher's and staff, they all love and care about what they do. If someone is unhappy, maybe they should move on to another school.

Posted: November 19, 2013

Correction to the comment below. I have one in Kinder and one in 4th grade. Not 3rd.

Posted: November 18, 2013

I HAVE BEEN WORKING AT HALLDALE FOR OVER 17 YEARS AND IN THOSE 17 YEARS I HAVE NOTICED HARD WORKING AND DEDICATED TEACHERS AT HALLDALE. THEY GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THEIR SCOPE OF WORK. IT SADDENS ME THAT SOME PARENT WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT OUR TEACHERS IS QUICK TO JUDGE SPECIFIC TEACHERS. MY ADVICE TO THAT PARENT IS THAT IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH HALLDALE AVE SCHOOL, YOU WILL NEVER BE HAPPY ANYWHERE BECAUSE HALLDALE AVE IS AN EXCELLENT SCHOOL..

Posted: November 18, 2013

i HAVE BEEN A PARENT/STAFF MEMBER AT HALLDALE AVENUE FOR OVER 6 YEARS AND AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE DEDICATED AND LOVING TEACHING STAFF AT THIS SCHOOL. IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO BE PART OF THIS SMALL SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

Posted: March 22, 2012

Halldale Elem. IS a great school. The principal, faculty, and staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. Parents here understand that their involvement in their children's education is necessary. Three of my children attend Halldale Elem.and are doing fantastic.

Posted: March 12, 2010

My daughter came to this school for 5 years. She has had a perfect time there. The after-school program really helped me, I didn't have to pay someone to take care out of school. She played sports and did activities while I was getting ready to pick her up.

Posted: September 8, 2009