I am getting more depressed by the minute! How are the Santa Monica schools? It seems as some of the L.A. public elementary schools are good enough--the issue is with the middle and high schools. I believe some of the private schools have 7th grade as an entry point, if you can get in. Am I understanding this brave new land a little bit?

Check out their website at www.smmusd.org. It has a very detailed report on each school within the District covering everything from ethnicity to education levels of the teachers to the number of computers per student. This is probably one of the best school websites I have seen. You should be able to see if these schools meet to your expectations.

Not meaning to pry, but "entertainment business" is still a broad description and L.A's a big place, even in terms of the entertainment industry. Motion pictures? (Post-production? Promotion?) TV? (Development or production?) Commercials? Recording industry? Or entertainment-related business, as in management or representation or financing? Will his company interface/work with other entertainment companies? There are elements of the entertainment industry throughout L.A. County (which is the size of Rhode Island, BTW).

I don't agree that "some" of the LAUSD schools are "good enough." They are, pretty much across the board, a step below private schools and schools in independent systems. Of course, it's still up to the individual child to succeed or fail, and there are quality differences among private schools and independent school systems too.

FYI, there are film studios in Manhattan Beach (all of David Kelly's series, several motion pictures, lots of commercials) and adjacent office space.

If you haven't spoken with any real estate people yet, I'd suggest you contact a few in the areas you're considering. An effective real estate person would be able to provide test score, class size and other info on the local schools in his/her area.

I live in Beverlywood where we have a fabulous local elementary school, Canfield, but our public high school (Hamilton) is a not so nice. However, they have a few magnet programs that are terrific (theater arts, for one.) I must admit, my kids are in private schools. I went to Bev Hills' public schools all K-12 and it was an incredible system at the time. I've heard it's still very, very good though it's "changed". Some kids from outside the district can apply to Beverly Hills schools on special waivers, but it's not exactly "busing" since it's such a contained little district. The best thing to do is make a visit, just to spend a day at each school you are considering. That would probably help you decide where you feel most at home: public, private and what area of town.

LTR, that was funny we both mentioned La Canada within minutes. It is a great community.

One private school with a 7th grade entry point is Flintridge Preparatory. Their website is www.fprep.org. You would need to apply now (or soon) for next school year. Perhaps there are other schools with a 7th grade entry point, but I don't know of any offhand.

Thank you all so much for all your help! I will show all of this info to my husband. Mommar, my husband really likes Beverlywood--what about the middle school there? Another idea is to put the 3rd grader in public and the 6th grader in private. I know that the private schools' application process is starting now--just another area to stress me out! I have a very detailed book with info about all the private schools. Unfortunately there is no such thing for the public schools!

Hi Martwork,

The middle school is Palms. You should visit the LAUSD site for more information. It's not a great site (a little too big, just like the school district.)

The Canfield school site is here: http://notebook.lausd.net/portal/pag...hool_code=2740

The Canfield Parent's Organization site is here: http://friendsofcanfield.com/

Another option for your 6th grader is the Magnet schools which you can research on the LAUSD site.

One great quality about Beverlywood versus Beverly Hills (coming from someone who grew up in BH) is that the houses are closer together and it's so easy for the kids to all meet. And there is a little park (merely a gathering place) the kids walk to on the weekend to meet each other. I've met a lot of neighbors through our kids weekend social activities. In BH it's a longer walk between houses and there aren't as many families with kids, so you had to make more structured play activities.

good luck!!

The Palms Middle School website is palmsmiddleschool.org.

I have also been following along with Sparklegem's search for schools. We will know this week if and when we will be moving. We have not yet made a decision on where we would live. This is so hard!!!

It's official. We're moving to L.A. around Feb. 1st. We ended up renting a house in Beverly Hills. After doing a lot of research and talking to a lot of people, we are going to send the kids to the Beverly Hills public schools. Hopefully this will work out--if not there is no shortage of private schools.!

<<I have heard that the Beverly Hills schools are good. I have also heard that the schools in Calabasas are good, though a bit crowded. My 3rd and 6th grade boys are in classes of less than 20 kids, and I know that won't happen in CA.>>

Why do you say it won't happen in CA? It happens all over CA. There are many public schools with classrooms of a smaller population. The very first thing you need to learn when you move to any state is to not put down the state inwhich you are moving and never compare the two states, making your former superior, to the locals...unless you want to ostracize everyone around you. It's commendable that you want to send your kids to the best schools. We are sending ours to the best schools public and private and it's paid off considerably. Good luck.

Whoa, Tess, slow down. I didn't mean to put down the state of California. I'm not viewing my current state as better or worse, just different. I happen to live in a city where the class sizes are unusually small. And, yes, I realize that is not the case in most of the L.A. schools. There was no judgement meant and I sincerely apologize if you took it that I was judging the entire state of California. Thanks for your good luck wishes. I am looking forward to this move. As I assume you are, I am just a parent trying to do my research and find the best situation for my kids and my family.