South Bay Junior Academy

Love this school public School just looked at what my son was not good at was sports or PE this school saw that he was bright and now he can’t wait to do PE

This school is a second home. The genuine love the teachers display in and out of the classroom is incredible. My son’s second grade teacher came to his park/​rec basketball game simply because he invited her. I’m talk with teachers daily and they never make me feel like a bother among everything else they do. Academically, my children are SOARING! A strong Christian foundation is huge in my family and I am proud that the SBJA family hold students and each other accountable. 10 stars!

Excellent school from Kinder-​8^th grade! Small class sizes, teachers who care about each individual student, challenging and diverse curricula, accelerated programs, special science and music programs not offered in public schools, emphasis on personal character and community work, etc… it really shows in our son’s classmates who are very nice, polite top notch kids! To top it off, tuition is MUCH cheaper than other private schools (this school is partially subsided by some of the local churches — this helps to keep tuition prices down) and after-​school daycare is even cheaper! Our son has attended for 4 years and we intend to keep him there as long as possible!

As a parent of two children (4^th grade and Kindergarten) I can not say enough great things about this school and it’s very attentive administration.
I feel the learning environment that is cultivated at SBJA is contagious amongst the students and their parents.
I give SBJA five stars and recommend this school to every parent looking for a secure learning institution to watch their children blossom.

As the product of a private school education, my reasons for enrolling my daughter @ SBJA as a kindergartner were more «matter-​of-​fact», but as we near the completion of her 4^th year, I realize that making SBJA our ‘school-​of-​choice’ was the best decision I could have ever made! SBJA’s program addresses the ‘whole student’ — academics AND character development go hand-​in-​hand, so that as future professionals our kids are intellectually and morally prepared to compete @ the highest level, yet with regard and consideration for their fellow man.
As we drop our daughter off @ school each morning, I’m comforted by the fact that each of the faculty members, including Mrs. Vlach our school principal know my child by name and watch over her as they would their own children. My child’s safety and the trust in our school’s staff and campus is worth the tuition alone! (which, might I add is a bargain in comparison to other local private schools) My wife and I look forward to the annual events and activities that range from the Science Fair, which my daughter and I have closely collaborated on since kindergarten :))) to our mom/​daughter and father/​daughter events, to our Christmas and Spring music programs that EVERY student participates in.
The integration of technology was introduced early on; there was never a question (as it seems to be a constant debate for the LAUSD and other school districts) whether computers or tablets would be afforded to and utilized by the student body. My daughter has interfaced with a variety of educational applications introduced by her teachers since the 1^st grade. This is an ESSENTIAL requirement of a modern education, as we raise this truly digital generation.
When asked if there are any drawbacks to SBJA, regrettably it would be that the school’s curriculum caps out @ 10^th grade. Yes, it would be a such a win if my daughter was able to complete her high school education there, however I’m beyond confident she’ll be more-​than prepared to enroll AND TO LEAD @ any high school of her/​our choice, given the tools she’ll acquire as an future alumni of SBJA!

My daughter has been a student at SBJA for two years, and our family is very happy with her experience. Besides the small class sizes and engaging teachers, I have to come to appreciate that, at this school, students are recognized as individuals, and different types of intelligence are respected and nurtured. Some special features include the «Accelerated Reader» program, which motivates kids to read independently at their own pace, and peer mediation training, which teaches kids to resolve interpersonal conflicts in a healthy and respectful way. These are life skills that will be valuable throughout the students’ lives, long after they have graduated.
I believe the hallmark of a good education is teaching students to understand themselves and how they fit into the greater society around them, and SBJA does a great job of doing both.

Both of my daughters went to So Bay Junior Academy and had great experiences. My oldest went there from 1^st through 8^th and then my younger one went through second grade (before we moved out of the area). The teachers and the principal were all terrific. I travel around to hundreds of school a year with my job, and have never found a better school or one that I would rather my children go to. Quick story: When I was looking for schools for my children, all the other schools were focused on test scores and academic success. But when I came to SBJA, Mrs Vlach (Principal) said to me «Aren’t our kids and teachers great!» The test scores will come, but if you want your child to go to a school where the teachers and the staff REALLY CARE, then this SBJA is for you.

Choosing a school for your child is an important decision with lasting consequences. We were so fortunate to discover South Bay Junior Academy. This small private school tucked away in Torrance was a fantastic place for our daughters to learn and grow. Our girls each started there at Discoveryland day care and preschool as infants, then transitioned to the Kindergarten program at SBJA. The option of a full-​day Kindergarten program fit our needs as working parents.
Our older daughter graduated from 8^th grade here and our younger daughter completed 6^th grade before we transferred schools. The years we spent at SBJA are filled with happy memories and wonderful learning experiences. This is a campus where the principal knows every student by name and the teachers greet students with a morning hug. This is a private school that does not require volunteer hours, but has a strong Home and School Association that is staffed by parent volunteers who take an active role in their children’s educational experience.
Academically, our daughters were well-​prepared for their educational experiences beyond SBJA. Our older daughter entered a private high school scoring above average in all subjects on her entrance exams. She has had a successful freshman year so far, and attributes her success to the strong educational/​spiritual/​moral foundation she received at SBJA. Our younger daughter entered a private middle school (7^th grade) and was also well prepared for a smooth transition to a new school. She was able to dive into her new school’s curriculum with no educational gaps.
SBJA reinforces the values that are important to our family. They celebrate family relationships at Grandparent’s Day, International Day, and the Parent-​Child Banquets. They encourage parental learning by holding monthly parent meetings. Parents are rewarded for attending these educational meetings with a discount on tuition.
When most people think of private schools, they usually think of a significant financial investment. The monthly tuition at SBJA continues to be less than local YMCA after school programs. Another misconception is fundraising. SBJA only has 2 fundraisers per year – the magazine drive and the jog-​a-​thon. Neither of these are mandatory in the sense that each student is required to raise a minimum amount of money. Students are encouraged and incentivized by different prizes at different fundraising levels.
Overall, if we had it to do over again – we would send our children to SBJA without reservation. We appreciate the smaller size and the individual attention our children received. We enjoyed the feeling of community by taking part in the Home and School Association. The teachers have each made lasting impressions on our children, and we have developed relationships that will last a lifetime.

Christian values, strong academics, a diverse student population, caring staff and excellent faculty — these are just a few of the reasons any Seventh Day Adventist or other Christian parent should consider this school. Add to that a broad spectrum of activities, a stimulating learning environment, the student viewed as a whole person who should be given skills that will prepare him or her to live life. Visit the school — you’ll find happy, well-​mannered children, who are being taught by individuals who are genuinely concerned about them and committed to their success.

After skimming the brochure-​ish, 5-​star praise, I always read the critical reviews before making my decision – just like you are now. If I’m excited, I hope the 1-​star complaints won’t apply to me so I can dismiss them and keep my excitement. But if a concern expresses a view I relate to, then I’m disappointed, but grateful I can make a wiser choice.
SBJA has a nice campus, warm teachers (mostly) and a decent musical program. It is *possible* your child will have a good experience.
Our child attended this school for 2 years. This review is not a knee-​jerk response to any single problem. I have nothing to gain by writing it except sharing an opinion so responsible parents can decide if it’s wise to enroll their children here. As a result of what I consider deal-​breaking problems, we have removed our child. And we’re not alone.
There’s a «rule» against bullying, but we discovered no reliable, written consequences for it. Our son was bullied throughout his 2^nd year. We were appalled by the school’s unwillingness to take the steps we felt would protect him. A classmate acted out sexually in a forceful way on our son. We were told the act was age-​appropriate and normal, insisting that the bully needed no evaluation. Child-​development experts told us the behavior absolutely required evaluation and shouldn’t be ignored. The principal sent us a letter stating that she felt no other incidents would happen again. Unfortunately, an apology letter about another incident arrived from the bully soon after.
There was no on-​site psychologist available at SBJA. When asked about this glaring lack, the principal’s reply was that they were all counselors. Not only is that claim an insult to degreed counselors, it carries all the logic of saying mommies who spoon cough syrup into their children’s mouths are doctors.
«It feels like a family here.» It’s a warm & fuzzy concept, but we saw it introduce some of the worst aspects of a family dynamic. Decisions felt incredibly subjective & unilateral, like those of a «single-​parent» household. We observed flagrant favoritism and an enormous disparity in consequences among children who were disciplined. We expected to benefit from objective criteria that would ensure treatment that we felt was fair. We brought these concerns to the principal on more than one occasion with no satisfactory results. At this point I felt like the school was determined to «win» an argument. For me, the attractive «like a family» curtain got yanked back, revealing a brick wall. This school seemed unwilling to consider our serious concerns that were corroborated by qualified experts.
We saw lax punctuality from teachers and students. The lack of prompt obedience to the class bells makes the bells seem like suggestions rather than deadlines. The few times our son was tardy, it wasn’t noted. Punctuality is a skill that life will require and teach your child. Ignore this problem if your child is innately punctual.
I sensed an almost over-​compensatory effort by the school to present itself as casual, not rigid, laid-​back and at no risk of inflicting on any student or parent the uncomfortable stuffiness or restrictions of a conservative religious school. At first we welcomed this, until we realized that feelings seemed to be the basis of important decisions rather than policy. I believe that when these gut feelings are cheered on by the «reasonable» parents and faithful staff (with no external input), the decisions devolve into doing what is comfortable over what is proper.
They use the term «redemptive discipline.» You might assume this means some sort of innovative case-​by-​case analysis of disciplinary situations. I never got a concise definition. It seemed, to me, a term used to give the school carte blanche regarding discipline – including the option to skip consequences altogether if it «felt» right. We saw plenty of swift punishment.
Our son now attends a public school that has revealed how much we had missed. Bullying is FORBIDDEN and offenses result in automatic, mandatory procedures that are not harsh, but are effective and supportive of the aggressor and victim. Psychologists handle this, yet we haven’t seen the need in a school twice the size of SBJA. Students are happy. Our son loves school. He no longer has his teacher’s cell phone ringtone memorized.
Despite the numerous concerns I’ve listed, if SBJA had been willing to make the minuscule extra effort to arrange a simple evaluation of a disturbed child, this review wouldn’t exist and we might have continued to tolerate other problems. But God truly works in mysterious ways and the pain we experienced led us to a place He knew would be far better for us and we’re incredibly grateful.

There are several things that make this school special. First, the fact that the staff takes VERY seriously it’s mission to teach the whole student (not just academics) means that all the students leave SBJA with a wonderful ability to appreciate others who are different from them. There is no bullying. As in any school, kids have difficulties, disputes, misunderstandings. New kids occasionally have trouble adjusting. However, the staff is able to immediately address the issue and what I appreciate about their approach is that they don’t just punish or scold. They get a dialogue going between the kids with the dispute. They teach skills to deal with future issues that may come up.
I also love that kids who would get «eaten alive» in large school settings by bullies/​teasing etc. can come to SBJA and find their footing, become comfortable with who they are.
Timothy B.

I was so disappointed by this school. What I found most consistent about it was a lack of consistency. I made every effort to support it — monetarily beyond tuition in the many fundraisers & field trips for which we were asked to pay & with countless volunteer hours, too.
We had our son here for 2 years. Kindergarten was a very good year, I understand now, mostly due to the teacher and the isolated nature of any kindergarten class. Once more a part of the larger school, in first grade, things deteriorated.
Because my son was active, a bit immature with a late summer birthday, & the 1^st grade teacher said he lacked focus (though he read the second most books in the entire class for the whole year & passed every single reading comprehension test with an 80% or better AND was reading above grade level) the teacher took it upon herself to use a physical therapy device on my son. Something called a t-​stool. (Stool with one leg in the middle.)
I have talked to many teachers & found only ONE familiar with this device… a special education teacher who said even she, a special education expert, would never implement the device without the clearance of a psychologist, therapist or school counselor, would never use it without parent permission, would never use one that was not height adjustable, & would never use it for more than short increments of time.
This school & principal not only allowed the teacher to use it without expert advice, without parent permission, without being height adjustable, without follow-​up, but also for the whole day for two months until we finally stopped it. (My son fell off the stool & split his lip & by the end of his time using it, he had back and neck pain. The pain stopped within a week or so after the use of the stool stopped.) My son was not the only one who was made to use this device. Other «active» students in the class & other grades also used it. One child was made to use it for 6 months!
In the end, what I have seen in two years at this school is decision making on a whim both in the classroom & school-​wide with regard to everything from schedules to programs to discipline. I have seen some children receive «punitive» discipline — loss of field trips, suspension in other classrooms (i.e. kindergarteners in jr. high classes, jr. high kids in kindergarten), loss of recess, school suspensions, & even immediate expulsions. And other children not receive anything but a requirement to write an apologetic note — even for things like hitting & bullying. One child who was acting out sexually was not even referred to a counselor!
Academically, I found nothing special about the programs. After a few months in public school, I am finding that our new LAUSD public school actually has a MORE challenging language arts program! Math seems to be about the same.
My son is thriving in his new public school. He received Student of the Week in the first month of school & does not have any reports of behavior problems in his new class. His new teacher is really approaching him as a «whole» person who is not necessarily the «traditional» learner. He is not pigeon-​holed into being a «difficult» student who needs constant correction which is how it seemed to us at SBJA. He is enjoying homework more, which puzzles me, but I’ll take it! He had to play catch-​up a bit with writing in particular, (as he is required to write short «essays» now, which the children who were already at the school were doing last year), but is still doing well.
Also, at our new public school, there are rigorous and stable standards for student and faculty behavior, which provide a sense of safety and equality that all children need. We didn’t lose the «small» school feel either — the principal at our new school knows all the children’s names and is a constant presence on the playground and at drop-​off and pick-​up times; unfortunately there were times at SBJA when the playground went unsupervised by any adult during recess which greatly concerned me.
My son treasures his new school’s motto — «Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible» and there is a «Random Acts of Kindness» certificate to recognize children when they exhibit special kindness to their peers! Our new public school displays and practices as much of a Christian message as SBJA promised to.
But the truth is, I can’t tell you how you’ll feel about South Bay Junior Academy. You may have a wonderful experience… if nothing goes wrong. I am only writing this because I did look on Great Schools and Unilocal before enrolling my son. I did visitations and tours. I am even a Seventh-​day Adventist. Nothing stood out to me as problematic. If one parent had given me some specifics that might give me pause, I would have been more careful and asked more questions and maybe decided differently. I see glowing reviews and I only want to give fair representation to another point of vie

Love this SCHOOL! If you need to send you kids to private school, this is the place I would recommend!
Pros:
The faculty are SUPER NICE! Every time I come on to campus I am always impressed by the way I see them handling the kids!
Programs. The students in the upper grades are given macs to use for studying. They have a great curriculum, and the kids have so many annual programs.
Spiritual life. I love that they have chapels, week of prayers, and teachers that are praying and hugging the kids. This was cool to see and it really impacted my decisions of whether or not I would send my child here.
Con:
It’s a little ways away but since its private my wife and I will be able to send our daughter, it just takes a little drive!
My wife and I have already agreed that when we enroll our daughter that this will be the school for us!