Westside Waldorf School
Westside Waldorf School could become the next Highland Hall
Westside Waldorf school isn't a charter, it's private. Many Highland Hall
teachers (the worst) have made themselves at home at Westside. Here's their list of teachers:
Listed from Highland Hall are:
1) Lisa Profumo (Scemema)... who hid the Wilkins molestation incidents from the entire school, ignored mandated reporting laws and put the school in severe legal jeopardy. She's lying whenever her lips move.
2) Liis Edwards... Check out letters from Highland Hall on this blog for her signature. She was involved in MANY cover-ups at Highland Hall.
3) Alex Houghton... a former friend and former Waldorf teacher - he once pretended outrage at what was going on at Highland Hall and promised to reform Waldorf through WISC... he's now silent as WISC continues to employ the very WORST teachers Waldorf has to offer. He is influencing Waldorf boards across the country... sadly.
This Waldorf school is a disaster, and you should all know that the Westside Waldorf school leadership has REQUIRED the entire faculty (I, being a former faculty member), to pose as parents and students and post (bogus) positive reviews on the online school review websites. Everything about this school is a charade - the learning (there isn't much); the administration, board and teachers (more infighting than a WWF match); the parents (most judgmental and hostile group of human beings I've ever seen, posing to be "spiritual"); and the kids (totally out of control bullies and children with major unchecked behavioral issues). These children and parents have such a lack of decorum that they cause solid, caring teachers to lose their jobs by trying to get these spoiled kids to behave. Please save your money and go public... Anything would be better for your child than this school! While some Waldorfs are amazing, this one is not! They are a disgrace to the Waldorf national and international community. --Submitted by a longstanding Waldorf teacher
Beverly Hills, CA
8/13/2013
Westside Waldorf just might be the worse school in Los Angeles, (private, public, or otherwise). This school hires incompetent teachers; has a cramped, dirty campus; tolerates bullying on every level; and is governed by a cult very much like Scientology (please check out http://www.waldorfwatch.…). We gave our son a few years there, and we finally pulled him due to the school's utter lack of any kind of academic standards or principals, and their arrogance when you try to speak to them about it. In addition to having absolutely no decent sports program, they also do not have a library, a real playground (kids play in the parking lot), and no true arts program, something they boast as part of their curriculum. It's literally just a bunch of rooms where dreamy teachers teach a watered-down version of learning. This school is in business because they take any family who is not able to get into any other school in town.
in the last week
Wish I could give them ZERO STARS !!! I had an ABSOLUTELY AWFUL experience !! This used to be a super sweet school with lots of nice people, but when I returned after attending a different school for four years, this place has turned into a nightmare !!! My problems started at Westside after I was there Five years and they made the wrong choice in first grade teachers. I was in a class where the teacher would walk kids up to the front and hit them (not me). The school didn't believe us so we left, but about six months later they eventually fired him. My teacher was totally incapable of teaching middle school, and when she felt that you were starting to figure that out she would humiliate you saying you knew too much, or try to give you a lecture on how drops of water are not the same as water drops. One time I was wearing clear nailpolish, and they made me take it off in front of the head of school, while she gave me a lecture on how it is harming the imaginations of the younger children. The ironic part is the second graders were wearing green nailpolish, and yet they were not made to take it off. Another time I was trying to help my friend with there school work and my teacher said infront of both of us, " Why are you wasting your time on them, they will never get how to do that. " And one other time she publicly called me the worst drawer in the class. The wood work teacher and a few others are the only great teachers left, most have left over the past year. It is just all very sad because I once considered this place my home. Everything is kept confidential and the administrators lack the skill of problem solving. They have this slip policy that literally threatens the students so that they are afraid to speak up if anything unfair happens. Not very Waldorf at all !!!! My advice to you is that if you want a caring, positive waldorf experience for your child pick a different waldorf school, that is better if it is not in Southern California !!!
As with sister school Highland Hall, negative reviews tend to disappear here:
Posted August 19, 2013
This Waldorf school is known for being a good place for children with learning disabilities, autism, and emotional or behavioral issues, as most Waldorf schools specialize in catering to those children who do not fit into traditional educational settings. However, the Westside Waldorf failed our family by not providing enough support for our child who has mild Aspergers. Our child was taunted by both children and teachers. The best thing we ever did was remove our child from this bizarre school setting.
Posted March 12, 2013
Hmm, I posted my review yesterday and it disappeared.Here it is again. if your goal is to have a child who can't spell and is bad at math go to Waldorf! It's ok for most of the students there, since at least half of the kids there will end up being trust fund babies and will never have to worry about spelling or math. And some of the grade teachers can not spell either. Also, when they say they don't want you to expose your children to media, they only say that, in reality everybody watches tv, plays video games etc. The most hypocritical bunch of parents I've ever seen. Also, they deny that bullying exists at the school but meanwhile plenty of children are really mean to each other and LOVE to single out one kid and pick on him/her. Mine wasn't one of the kids that got picked on but to watch it happen to others and hear everybody deny it is depressing. I think they bully each other because they are bored out of their minds for most part. My child is now at a public school and it is as if a whole world of knowledge just opened up in front of her. Administration at this school is also horrible. You will never hear a straight answer out of them. Same goes for board of trustees.
Here's a real shocker... :)
April 11, 2008
It is truly unfortunate that this school continues to promote itself to parents
without sharing that the model is based on Anthroposophy. If you are interested
in any Waldorf School read about Rudolf Steiner. Here is a good website to start
with: openwaldorf. com
—Submitted by a parent
The school used to be a treasure. But since 2005 all the best grade teachers have left the school. Excellent subject teachers(woodwork, Japanese, music) remain.
Westside Waldorf school isn't a charter, it's private. Many Highland Hall
teachers (the worst) have made themselves at home at Westside. Here's their list of teachers:
Listed from Highland Hall are:
1) Lisa Profumo (Scemema)... who hid the Wilkins molestation incidents from the entire school, ignored mandated reporting laws and put the school in severe legal jeopardy. She's lying whenever her lips move.
2) Liis Edwards... Check out letters from Highland Hall on this blog for her signature. She was involved in MANY cover-ups at Highland Hall.
3) Alex Houghton... a former friend and former Waldorf teacher - he once pretended outrage at what was going on at Highland Hall and promised to reform Waldorf through WISC... he's now silent as WISC continues to employ the very WORST teachers Waldorf has to offer. He is influencing Waldorf boards across the country... sadly.
This Waldorf school is a disaster, and you should all know that the Westside Waldorf school leadership has REQUIRED the entire faculty (I, being a former faculty member), to pose as parents and students and post (bogus) positive reviews on the online school review websites. Everything about this school is a charade - the learning (there isn't much); the administration, board and teachers (more infighting than a WWF match); the parents (most judgmental and hostile group of human beings I've ever seen, posing to be "spiritual"); and the kids (totally out of control bullies and children with major unchecked behavioral issues). These children and parents have such a lack of decorum that they cause solid, caring teachers to lose their jobs by trying to get these spoiled kids to behave. Please save your money and go public... Anything would be better for your child than this school! While some Waldorfs are amazing, this one is not! They are a disgrace to the Waldorf national and international community. --Submitted by a longstanding Waldorf teacher
Beverly Hills, CA
8/13/2013
Westside Waldorf just might be the worse school in Los Angeles, (private, public, or otherwise). This school hires incompetent teachers; has a cramped, dirty campus; tolerates bullying on every level; and is governed by a cult very much like Scientology (please check out http://www.waldorfwatch.…). We gave our son a few years there, and we finally pulled him due to the school's utter lack of any kind of academic standards or principals, and their arrogance when you try to speak to them about it. In addition to having absolutely no decent sports program, they also do not have a library, a real playground (kids play in the parking lot), and no true arts program, something they boast as part of their curriculum. It's literally just a bunch of rooms where dreamy teachers teach a watered-down version of learning. This school is in business because they take any family who is not able to get into any other school in town.
in the last week
Wish I could give them ZERO STARS !!! I had an ABSOLUTELY AWFUL experience !! This used to be a super sweet school with lots of nice people, but when I returned after attending a different school for four years, this place has turned into a nightmare !!! My problems started at Westside after I was there Five years and they made the wrong choice in first grade teachers. I was in a class where the teacher would walk kids up to the front and hit them (not me). The school didn't believe us so we left, but about six months later they eventually fired him. My teacher was totally incapable of teaching middle school, and when she felt that you were starting to figure that out she would humiliate you saying you knew too much, or try to give you a lecture on how drops of water are not the same as water drops. One time I was wearing clear nailpolish, and they made me take it off in front of the head of school, while she gave me a lecture on how it is harming the imaginations of the younger children. The ironic part is the second graders were wearing green nailpolish, and yet they were not made to take it off. Another time I was trying to help my friend with there school work and my teacher said infront of both of us, " Why are you wasting your time on them, they will never get how to do that. " And one other time she publicly called me the worst drawer in the class. The wood work teacher and a few others are the only great teachers left, most have left over the past year. It is just all very sad because I once considered this place my home. Everything is kept confidential and the administrators lack the skill of problem solving. They have this slip policy that literally threatens the students so that they are afraid to speak up if anything unfair happens. Not very Waldorf at all !!!! My advice to you is that if you want a caring, positive waldorf experience for your child pick a different waldorf school, that is better if it is not in Southern California !!!
As with sister school Highland Hall, negative reviews tend to disappear here:
Posted August 19, 2013
This Waldorf school is known for being a good place for children with learning disabilities, autism, and emotional or behavioral issues, as most Waldorf schools specialize in catering to those children who do not fit into traditional educational settings. However, the Westside Waldorf failed our family by not providing enough support for our child who has mild Aspergers. Our child was taunted by both children and teachers. The best thing we ever did was remove our child from this bizarre school setting.
Posted March 12, 2013
Hmm, I posted my review yesterday and it disappeared.Here it is again. if your goal is to have a child who can't spell and is bad at math go to Waldorf! It's ok for most of the students there, since at least half of the kids there will end up being trust fund babies and will never have to worry about spelling or math. And some of the grade teachers can not spell either. Also, when they say they don't want you to expose your children to media, they only say that, in reality everybody watches tv, plays video games etc. The most hypocritical bunch of parents I've ever seen. Also, they deny that bullying exists at the school but meanwhile plenty of children are really mean to each other and LOVE to single out one kid and pick on him/her. Mine wasn't one of the kids that got picked on but to watch it happen to others and hear everybody deny it is depressing. I think they bully each other because they are bored out of their minds for most part. My child is now at a public school and it is as if a whole world of knowledge just opened up in front of her. Administration at this school is also horrible. You will never hear a straight answer out of them. Same goes for board of trustees.
Here's a real shocker... :)
April 11, 2008
It is truly unfortunate that this school continues to promote itself to parents
without sharing that the model is based on Anthroposophy. If you are interested
in any Waldorf School read about Rudolf Steiner. Here is a good website to start
with: openwaldorf. com
—Submitted by a parent
The school used to be a treasure. But since 2005 all the best grade teachers have left the school. Excellent subject teachers(woodwork, Japanese, music) remain.
If your goal is to have a child who can not spell and is bad at math go to Waldorf! It's ok for most of the students there, since at least half of the kids there will end up being trust fund babies and will never have to worry about spelling or math. Oh, one more thing - some of the grade teachers can not spell either.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when they say they don't want you to expose your children to media, don't worry, they only say that, in reality everybody watches tv, plays video games etc. The most hypocritical bunch of parents I have ever seen.
Oh, and they deny that bullying exists at the school in general but meanwhile plenty of children are really mean to each other and LOVE to single out one kid and pick on him/her. Mine was not one of the kids that got picked on but to watch it happen to others and hear everybody deny it is depressing. I personally think they bully each other because they are bored out of their minds for most part.
My child is now at a public school and it is as if a whole world of knowledge just opened up in front of her. Almost forgot, administration at this school is also horrible. You will never hear a straight answer out of them. Same goes for board of trustees.
Most horrific experience of emotional and verbal abuse in our lives! Alessandra Profumo failed our child miserably and tried to label him with a handful of woes. We pulled him out, are filling in the academic gaps and we are healing as a family. Worst experience ever! Our son advanced two grades in public school. What a wicked time of it all.
ReplyDeleteParent,
DeleteSorry for your awful similar experience of abuse. It is a pattern of abuse as our child was repeatedly abused by Lisa P as well. It was a awful situation of abuse that followed our family & child to the point of sickness. The current Board told us she undermined their efforts of resolution on our families behalf yet they looked the other way and allow her in a position of power and governance at Westside Waldorf. Healing takes a lifetime after her abuse.
Thank you for your validation and I too am sorry your family had a similar experience. My son is in touch with his classmates who leave. I cannot fathom how she is allowed to continue to teach and run the school. But we are so grateful we left!
DeleteFascinating that my review on Yelp has disappeared and in its place are 3 reviews from people who are not telling the truth about things that happened to their children at at this school. Pathetic.
DeleteLisa Profumo is a petty thief who stole time from our child and she should be imprisoned for child abuse!
ReplyDeleteHow many incredible families and staff need to leave Westside Waldorf School and Highland Hall before the Waldorf Community wakes up and puts Alessandra Profumo in exile . . . when will this community recognize the huge dark shadow that lurks about ?
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to thank this resource and others for publishing the truth!
ReplyDelete