Crestview Preparatory School

Crestview is a school where your kids are seen and understood at a very deep level. The administration puts their everything into delivering the best possible experience for each student. Whether a student needs extra support, or extra challenges, the teachers and staff at Crestview will recognize what the kids need and know how to deliver it. We would describe the vibe/culture as relaxed and warm; yes it's a private prep school, but in no way does it feel fussy or showy. There are also many events and opportunities for parents to mix socially, volunteer, and connect with their kids in the classroom or with the school in general. We feel genuinely invested in Crestview and its success because we know Ms. Baudelia, the head of school, puts everything she can and more right back into the school -- hiring and retaining the best teachers, opening specialist and enrichment programs, and providing extracurriculars like sports, debate teams, after-school activities, etc. We did look at many other schools in the area, but all it took was one meeting with Ms. Baudelia to convince me that Crestview was the right place for our family. Given that our son jumps out of the car and never looks back when it's time for school drop off, I know we made the right choice.

After an exhaustive school search, we found Crestview impressive in its very personalized approach to education. The student-teacher ratio was unmatched: my child's kindergarten class of 15 had 3 teachers (2 + 1 assistant). The small school size with an all-hands-on-deck administration means resources go to the children and learning. The curriculum is intentional, and the small size makes it easy to continually adjust, attending to current student needs. Crestview balances social/emotional and even ethical development with challenge and rigor, resulting in confident, academically strong, and articulate graduates—individual thinkers with generous hearts. Its impressive matriculation is a testament. Children are empowered to pursue their interests, as seen in the many extracurricular clubs that started as student pitches, like an award-winning speech and debate team and musical theater. Students on the panel of our tour were the strongest of any school we saw, naturally confident and articulate with warmth and humor. The two-week incoming Kinder summer program was invaluable in acclimating our child to campus and an opportunity for teachers and other kids to get to know them so they are best matched with teachers and friends for class. Transfer students are assigned host families, and classmates quickly befriend them. While missing some bells and whistles of a large campus, you'll find authenticity and substance. The culture is warm, unpretentious, and inclusive. The administration handles conflict adeptly to avert escalation. We spoke with many transfer families whose student challenges from previous schools somehow melted away at Crestview. Other shoutouts are for Ms. Baudelia's grade-level coffees, where she offers insight and guidance into our children's development (and can advise on literally every student), diversity, minimal screen use, daily PE, design thinking, low teacher turnover, and numerous field trips.

Crestview has been a saving grace for our family. When my daughter shadowed at Crestview in 2023, she returned home and said, "Mommy, I want to go back tomorrow." That's when I prayed. The private school my daughter previously attended was half the cost, close to home, and all her friends were there; yet, according to my daughter, "it's like jail, and I don't want to go there anymore." I'm not sure how she knew what jail was like at 5 years of age, but we'll go with it. We shadowed at four different schools, and my daughter was accepted into all of them, yet she had her heart set on Crestview—understandably so. When I asked my daughter why she liked Crestview, she replied, "I have special friends, nice teachers, a nice playground, nice classrooms, and a nice principal. You know, Mom, everyone is nice." The factors that influenced me started with the admission tour. I sat in the quaint library with many eager, nervous potential Crestview parents and was most impressed with the diversity in the room. I recall Ms. Baudelia, Head of School, being extraordinarily observant and open to everyone's questions. She could sense the nervousness in some of the parents and, at one point, said, Please don't worry about what school your child will get into. I believe every child ends up where they belong. With those words, she brought calm into the room. Many of the schools we shadowed did a big song and dance, yet Ms. Baudelia empowered the teachers and students to speak for the school. We then walked through the campus to meet the teachers, and some students presented their work. I was most impressed by the confidence the children exhibited in front of strangers. They even answered questions. I loved the size of the campus and the park-like playground. According to my daughter, her school is in a park. Also, out of all the schools we shadowed, Crestview was the only school with P.E. for all grades daily-a massive bonus for me. Once we were accepted, we received a handwritten note from the school director of admissions, Michele Poteet, welcoming us to the Crestview community. Crestview is authentic to its community values by taking the time to write handwritten notes instead of emails. Admissions suggested my daughter attend summer camp at Crestview before starting the school year. The teachers were outstanding and also reached out after camp to ask if they could assist in any way to help with the transition. Lastly, during the summer, we received a card from our host family inviting us for a playdate. Two years later, this family holds a special place in our hearts. From the moment you step foot on campus, everyone knows your name. The administration knows your child's name from the very efficient carline, smiling faces at the front gate entrance, and Ms. Baudelia on the walkie-talkie radio announcing every child at pick-up. The Crestview community is so tight-knit; the outpour of love and support during the Eaton fires is a testament to the kind-natured families in the school. Emotionally, my reserved child has blossomed into a funny, confident, and joyful little human. Academically, my daughter loves going to school to learn, takes the initiative to do her homework, loves math, and always volunteers to write equations on the board. I attribute this growth in her to the calm environment, small classroom sizes, and child-focused staff at Crestview, which supports every child to become their personal best. From the classroom teachers to the specialty teachers, administration, sports programs, and afterschool study hall or enrichment programs throughout the school year, Crestview delivers a comprehensive program while honoring the innocence and curiosity of childhood. I cannot rave enough about this small but mighty school.

Finding the right school for your kids can feel daunting and overwhelming. After friends told us to tour Crestview, we immediately knew we had found "the one." Crestview exudes everything we had been searching for: focus on social emotional development and health, academic excellence, meaningful values, and a welcoming community of teachers, administration, and families. Our son was the "new kid" entering in a later grade, but he never felt new. He was welcomed and embraced immediately. They immediately understood his needs and motivations, and helped him thrive. Our daughter joined the following year for Kinder, only reaffirming the choice we made to be a Crestview Family. If you have the opportunity to visit, I highly recommend that you do. We are so happy we did.

If you are looking for an unpretentious yet academically excellent small school, Crestview is the right place. It has all the positive factors of a private school, such as small class sizes, enrichment activities such as a stellar debate program, and academic rigor. But it has the inviting, warm, and innocent environment of a small-town elementary school. The price is also much better than other local privates. Having 3 children go through the elementary process, every day was a good day. They wanted to be at Crestview- it is a supportive, positive, caring, and childhood-friendly school I strongly recommend Crestview to anyone who wants a home that is warm, challenging, happy, and supportive for your child.

Choosing Crestview as our children's elementary school was one of the most important and yet clear choices we have made in our parenting lives. I actually attended Crestview in its early days graduating in 1993 and for my entire life have remembered the kind teachers and creative educational opportunities that were present as far back as then. Since then, Crestview has transformed itself even more into the perfect combination of academic rigor, social and emotional nurturance, warm and supportive teachers and staff, and having the most incredibly competent and caring Head of School. Crestview is a diamond in this community, as the small class sizes and individualized approach for each student allows a safe space for children to learn and develop. The classroom projects are fun and engaging and my daughter is always excited to see her learning objectives come to life with creative and interactive activities. The enrichment opportunities are extremely well developed, and the extracurricular activities make even after school extremely fun! My daughter has been at Crestview for the past three years and wakes up every day excited to get to school. My son is starting this Fall and from his first day of orientation has already begged for school to start. As a parent there is simply no better endorsement, and there are not enough words to express our gratitude and joy at the opportunities, education, and support that Crestview has provided our family.

I've been a parent at Crestview for 5 years and can't imagine a better school for my son. This school excels at respecting and honoring each individual child and family, their uniqueness, differences, and needs. It fosters a truly diverse community, which I think is increasingly invaluable in today's world. My son has flourished there, having total freedom, encouragement, and support to realize himself. All while receiving the best academic and enrichment opportunities available throughout lower and upper elementary. We wanted a balance of everything - academics, social/emotional nurturing, project learning, nature, sports, outdoor time, specialist courses, diversity of thought and backgrounds, and feel we have found it in Crestview.

I have visited and thoroughly explored many independent schools in LA and throughout California. I have yet to find a school that comes close to what Crestview offers. I have a 1st grader currently enrolled (started in kinder) that is absolutely flourishing and meeting his full potential both academically and socially/emotionally. Small class sizes, the exuberance of specialty classes, the educational/developmental prowess of the administration, the teacher's cutting-edge instruction, and the kind and warm community of families are just a few of the reasons that makes this school a treasured gem. Most independent schools talk the talk with elementary education expertise, but Crestview lives and embodies its mission every day. My son is thrilled every morning to get to school, has fostered an invaluable love of learning, and is sweet, kind and worldly at the age of 6. All you need to do is visit and walk through the school to see the diversity, observe the variety of learning styles being nourished, and feel the special warmth that fills the campus. The small class sizes (average 15-17 kids per class I'd say) make it so that they are able to teach to the individual child while also executing extremely beneficial group lessons. Crestview truly respects childhood and is a reliable partner in our son's overall development. I would love to keep the school a little kept secret, but you should do yourself a favor and visit this school if the things I described sound appealing to you and your family. You'll wonder why you didn't find it earlier.

Crestview Prep is an exceptional school. We had three children graduate from the school and they were nurtured, supported and challenged academically. The teachers are amazing, taking the time to get to know every child, and the head of school and administration are knowledgeable, professional, and loved by students, teachers, and parents. The school is a gem, and we *highly* recommend it.

There is no end to the good things I can say about Crestview. I have toured most of the independent schools in the area and have come to the conclusion that none top Crestview. We were looking for a school that did not have a religious affiliation but still delivered a top-notch education and we found it. Since then, I have had two kids complete Crestview (K-6th), one child currently enrolled (1st grade), and one on deck in a year. The teacher/student ratios are fantastic and the kids are smart, creative, and most of all kind. In addition to the normal classes, the 1st-grade curriculum includes daily PE and weekly classes in art, environmental science, library, computer science, music, gardening, mindfulness, design thinking, and language (Spanish and Mandarin)!! The amazing teachers and administration consistently strive to be on the cutting edge of elementary education and child development. The icing on the cake for Crestview is the wonderful community of families. From the 1st day your child steps on campus the school does an excellent job of fostering a true sense of community among the students and their families. If you are looking for an independent school in the San Gabriel Valley make sure to visit Crestview. You will be blown away by the way they deliver a great education and warm community without the pretentiousness you find at so many of the other schools in the area.

My son (now 17) started Crestview as a kinder student, as did my daughter, (now in 6th grade). We have been at Crestview for over 12 years and we absolutely love it! Crestview offers the perfect balance of strong academics and social/emotional learning. The curriculum is outstanding but equally important is the fact that Crestview teaches kids to lead with compassion. Self-confidence, empathy, and kindness are among the many traits that Crestview students acquire. As a parent, I have truly appreciated the fact that the Crestview community (parents, admin, and staff) have always been caring, supportive, and ready to lend a hand. My children and I have established friendships that will last a lifetime. I encourage you to tour Crestview and to meet its head of school, Ms. Baudelia, and her outstanding team. Crestview is a true gem and I am grateful for and will cherish every moment of our time here.

I cannot say enough good things about Crestview. My daughters both entered in Kindergarten and have absolutely LOVED their experience since day 1. There is so much thought put into not just the curriculum, but the entire experience of school! Each child is made to feel important and that they matter. My daughters bounce out of the car going to school every day. We have absolutely loved our time at Crestview and being a part of this warm, diverse, and nurturing community!

Crestview is a special place. Enrolling our kids here has been one of the best decisions our family has made. We have been a part of this amazing community for the past four years, and it has had such a positive impact on who our kids have become. For our kids, the school offers the perfect balance of academic excellence and extracurricular activities (music, debate, mindfulness) that allow them to explore their personal interests. The Head of School, teachers, and staff are wonderful. They genuinely know and care about each and every student, and value their individuality. They also provide incredible support during the application process to middle schools. We couldn't be happier with the education, growth, care, and friendships that Crestview has provided our kids.