Castelar Street Elementary School

We are so happy that we found this school. Our son could not be more happy and we are relieved to find this gem in the maze of LA Schools.

I love this school. My daughter has been attending for 5 years (early education program and on), and I have had a great experience with the teachers, staff and administration. I love that they still offer music, art, and physical education. I love their emphasis on the three Bs, Be respectful, responsible, and be safe. As a bonus, she's picking up Mandarin as a second language.

Castelar is a hidden gem. My son started learning in the dual language program two years ago. Now can converse freely in Mandarin as well as read and write in both languages. The teachers are kind, caring and professional. My neighborhood school is really great, but it can't offer Mandarin. I'm so glad I chose Castelar!

Castelar is my "dream come true" of a school. The Mandarin Dual Language program is top-notch. With no previous experience in Mandarin before Kindergarten, my second-grader can now write a 5-paragraph essay in both English and Mandarin. Native speaking friends and family marvel at her pitch perfect Mandarin accent. People always ask us, "It's a private school, right?". No, it's a totally public school. The teachers are fun and nurturing. No "scary" Chinese language teachers here. Many of the kids in the dual language program don't come from Chinese language backgrounds and will graduate with fluency in 3 languages (English, Mandarin, and their home language). Most of the students come from hard-working immigrant families who value education. Therefore, Castelar kids are more "innocent" than most. Kids are allowed to be kids. No one is in a rush to be a teen and there are no cliques or bullying. It is truly a nurturing environment with amazing results. We are so thankful we found Castelar!