Presenters Jennifer and Elias who are both parents of previous NSW students and both work in school administration in a principal level capacity
General: A very intimate evening at NSW with Roleen in attendance where Jennifer and Elias led parents of future TK/ K students through the public school selection process.
Topic: “Investigating Your Public School Options”
Message to start was that Jennifer and Elias are familiar with the pressure you feel as a parent to find the “right” place for your child but wanted to let us know that it is ok to switch kids to different schools after Kindergarten if it isn’t the right fit. Roleen added that her daughter attended a number of different schools before 2nd grade. Jennifer led us through a very organized list/ presentation as a framework for the evening that I will outline below. Also mentioned is that we as westsiders are in a unique situation with having an enormous amount of school choices.
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1) Reflection
*What type of schools am I considering?
There are certain things that dictate how you can narrow the field/ your search.
*How does my educational experience inform what I want for my child?
Look around when you tour and see the environment not just the “scores” on line.
*What are my child’s needs?
By looking at what type of environment your child thrives in you can start to narrow you choices…ex: your child likes structure, etc.
*How does my preschool experience inform what I want for elementary school?
*What factors are important to me (i.e. cost, location, size, diversity, etc.)
Elimination criteria
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2) Step 1: Your Home School
*Identify your home school
This can be found on LAUSD.net, find a school
SMMUSD.org, what School Can I attend
*Review the website
learn about the school through the web
*Read the reviews at GreatSchool.org
Note that the reviews can be weighted by either side of the spectrum and doesn’t necessarily give a complete view of the school. Dig deeper about each school and look at the “outliers”. High scores might mean that that school is very focused on wrote learning and training how to test well while a school that has low scores may have opted out of standardized testing in general to focus on learning in a different way and affected the test scores to look poorly even if it is a great school. Note that test scores are old and out of date to the current school systems and reflect those tested most recently in Spring 2013.
*Take a tour
During the tour are they showing you the full scope of the school or just the kindergarten? Make sure to see all of the grades and not just kindergarten.
Gather information and tour the schools you like more than once.
*Speak to Parents and ask Roleen to connect you with past NSW parents that have a child in that school.
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3) Step 2: Other Options: Magnets
*Apply to a magnet school (LAUSD only)
*what is a magnet school?
*How do I apply?
eChoices.lausd.net
Point System
*Westside magnet options (K-5, K-8)
32nd St/ USC (Performing Arts)
Community Magnet
Melrose (Science, Tech, Math)
Open Magnet
Westside (Environmental)
Magnets are driven by interests and theme – known to do well, have different requirements and sometimes extra classes.
Magnet school deadline is November and window of time to apply is small (a month).
LAUSD and SM have magnets – Culver City does not.
Know your 1st, 2nd and third choice.
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4) Step 3: Other Options: Charters
*Apply to a charter school
What is a charter school?
Charter law launched in the 90’s and allowed charter schools more autonomy. They almost operate like their own business/ almost like private sector and are independent public schools.
They have more flexibility but have accountability
A lot of variability in charters and not part of a centralized process.
Each school will interpret the law differently to work for them – make sure to look at each individual charter school’s stability.
How do I apply?
individual process for each school
Lottery
Some Westside charter options
SMASH (SMMUSD)-school of choice
Citizens of the World (LAUSD)
Ocean Charter (LAUSD)
WISH charter (LAUSD)
City Language Immersion (LAUSD)
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5) Step 4: Other Options : Permit
*Permit WITHIN your district (intra)
Online information/ application
*Language immersion program
Broadway Elementary (LAUSD)
Grandview Elementary (LAUSD)
Edison (SMMUSD)
El Marino (Culver City)
*After school program
cost, hours open, age groups? structured or free for all?
*Permit out of your district (inter)
Online information/ application
Criteria: employment, alumni status, etc.
Have to have home school “release” you and new school you wish to attend to accept you. Out of district you have to be released from the district.
Google search “Permits LAUSD”
If you permit releases you from a school you can still reverse it.
All dates and times for enrollment are different but most are March – April.
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6) Step 5: Apply!
*Age
5 by Sept 1 = kindergarten
5 between Sept 2 to Dec 2 = TK
Deadlines
Magnet Schools (November)
Charter Schools (February – March)
Inter/ Intra district permits ( April)
Your home school (anytime)
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7) RECAP
1) Start EARLY!!
2) Know your priorities
3) Determine when your child will apply
4) Visit your home school
5) Assess your options
6) Aim for choices
7) Remember that change is ok!