Finding a School: November 2007 Archives

Los Angeles Unified School District schools get a bad wrap. Parents are constantly criticizing the district, and there are many areas of the city where parents wouldn't dream of sending their kids to a public school. Now, a frightening study released by UCLA last week reinforces the terrible reputation the public schools here have. (Read Naush Boghossian's full story According to researchers, over 60 percent of Los Angeles Unified School District schools are overcrowded. At a little more than half the schools in the district, one-third of the student body can't pass an exit exam necessary for a diploma.

For every 100 ninth-graders in non-San Fernando Valley schools, 44 had graduated four years later and 24 had passed courses required for admission to CSU and UC schools. In Valley schools, 48 had graduated and 25 had passed those courses. The statewide averages are 66 and 25.

The study also incorporated results of the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress, which showed that California's fourth-graders rank 48th in the nation in reading and 46th in math. Meanwhile, eighth-graders ranked 47th in reading and 45th in math.

Hmm, better brush up on those magnet and charter options.

NAVIGATING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM: CHOOSING THE RIGHT KINDERGARTEN FOR YOUR CHILD

Presented by Christy Bergin, Education Advisor and Founder of Best Fit School Service
with Tanya Anton, author of “Westside Guide to Public Elementary Schools”

When: Monday, November 19th 7:00pm

Where: Birth and Beyond
1750 Ocean Park Boulevard, Suite #206
Santa Monica, CA 90405

cost: $25

Learn all about your public and private Kindergarten options.

- how to investigate various schools and what to look for
- tips on private school applications, preparing for evaluations
- how (and when) to begin the application process
- Magnets and the point system demystified
- how Charters work and who is eligible
- Bonus: Complete listing of all public and private Westside Elementary Schools

register online at http://gomamaguide.blogspot.com/