Looking for information on LA magnet and charter schools
 

I have heard that there are good magnet and charter schools in Los Angeles. I am having a little trouble figuring out what the different schools' focuses are from the LAUSD web site. I am hoping to find one that is an arts school with good performing arts and visual arts programs. Does anyone know a school or schools that fit that bill?

Hollywood High is the main performing arts magnet school, but there are others. Generally, when your child is enrolled in regular public school, you get the list in printed form each year of the various magnets and what they have to offer (Venice High, for example, is for languages, Hamilton High is for humanities). Even if you find a magnet school that you are interested in, there is usually a line to get your child in. The district goes by the points system, and it's a method of applying each year for a particular school. If you get rejected (usually the case), you earn points. Once you achieve the points you need, your kid can usually get in. I would think the arts/performing arts schools having this kind of waiting list. Try at-la.com which provides school for elementary, middle and high school.

Hi Surfergirl,

Thank you for for your reply. Could it take several years to get into the magnet schools? Do you know if our daughter needs to be enrolled in a LA County public school to apply? Is Santa Monica considered a different district and if we lived there would that rule out the LA magnet schools? Do you know how the magnet schools compare to the Santa Monica public schools?

Thank you!!
Gem

P.S. Thank you for the link to the at-la site. I am just figure it out but it seems to have a lot of great information.

Yes, it could take as long as 5 years, depending on what school you are interested in. I believe you do have to either be in the L.A. (City of Los Angeles, not County of L.A.) Unified School District to get on the list, but don't hold me to that. Santa Monica is located in the County of Los Angeles, but the City of Santa Monica. If you live in the City of Santa Monica, you are entitled to have your child go to school there. If you live outside the City of Santa Monica, the school district has discretion whether to let your child in or not. If you live in the City of L.A. and your child has an IEP, forget about Santa Monica. Same thing applies to the City of Beverly Hills.

what is an IEP?

Individual Education Plan. For children with learning disabilities.

Thank you, Surfergirl!