MIDDLE SCHOOLS – HELP!!!
Who’s afraid of middle school? EVERYONE! Below we’ll be adding help guides.
67 Responses to "MIDDLE SCHOOLS – HELP!!!"
December 9, 2008 at 7:41 am
I went on a magnet tour in the West Valley today and a few questions to ask or things to listen for:
Do they cluster the 6th graders? Specifically, do the 6th graders take PE together alone? Do they let the 6th graders out for lunch early for a week (or two or three) so they learn the difference between the cafeteria, the hash lines, and other ways of finding sustenance? Are the 6th grade classes in one specific area of the campus (or even the entire magnet)?
Do they “core” the English-Social Studies and Math-Science classes so the kids have only two teachers for four subjects?
Do they keep their home room teacher for all three years?
Do they get to choose their electives in sixth grade or are they forced to take an “exploratory” set of electives unless they take up a musical instrument?
Do they share a bus with another magnet?
I’ll post some more but this is a start to the conversations.
December 22, 2008 at 8:34 am
Anyone loaded w/info on Walter Reed? Would love to know the difference in the IHP verses SAS programs or the Honors Humanities Academy.
September 23, 2009 at 9:39 pm
There are basically three smaller learning communities at Reed: IHP which is only honors, humanities (there’s a regular and honors) and technology (regular and honors). The girls tend to go to humanities and the boys flock to tech. My daughter just started tech this year as a 6th grader and is only one of 5 girls out of 34 students. The SAS program is basically in the main Reed academic area, but scored higher on state testing. They aren’t in any of the smaller learning communities. It’s all very confusing!!!
December 24, 2008 at 1:05 am
Hi Marie,
I have friends with kids at Millikan, but not Reed. I’ll probably make time to go on one of their tours later this school year, or early in the choice season next. Please,report back what you hear.
December 28, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Angel,
Am happy to report back after the openhouse on Jan. 14th…am touring the IHP that day and probably the SAS academy on Jan. 28th. Happy New Year! xo.
January 3, 2009 at 1:19 am
Hello, I read an article about all the research you have done regarding the LAUSD and navigating the complexities that come with it. I also live in the Valley in the city of San Fernando and I have a 9 year old daughter (Eva). As you can imagine I am frazzled trying to figure out what I’m going to do when Eva goes to middle school. Do you have any suggestions for middle schools here in the valley? While not identified as “gifted”, Eva is considered a “high acheiver” and was placed in the gifted 4th grade class. I would really appreciate any insight or guidance. Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
Sincerely,
Elena Hernandez
January 3, 2009 at 1:21 am
Hi there,
I am happy with my elementary school but want to start accumulating wait list points for middle school.
In the FAQ of Magnet Angel you write:
“Wanting to keep options open for middle school (GRADE 6), some parents start applying to magnet schools in GRADE 3 (picking schools they’re unlikely to get into–i.e. schools with many more applications than openings…”
So, do you mean apply in Jan. when my child is in 2nd grade FOR a 3rd grade spot in a magnet school? Or wait until he is IN 3rd grade going into 4th????
THANKS!!!
Alexis Curry
January 3, 2009 at 2:19 am
Alexis,
I wish there was a way to make a chart or graphic, but the easy answer is you start applying in 2nd:
Second grade for third grade (get rejected–4 points next year)
Third grade for fourth grade (get rejected again 4 more points/8 total next year)
Fourth grade for fifth grade (get rejected again 4 more points/12 total next year)
So when you apply in the middle of fifth grade you’ve been rejected three years in a row for a total of 12 points.
Good luck!
January 3, 2009 at 2:32 am
Hi Elena,
The benefit we have in San Fernando is our proximity to the 118 Freeway. Go ahead and apply this year (fourth going into fifth) and apply to a school you can’t likely get into–perhaps Valley Alternative or even Balboa Gifted. The upside is that in the extremely unlikely even your child got in, Balboa would truly meet her needs as gifted kid.
The much more likely scenario is you will be rejected. You will definitely have four points for the school being PHBAO (Predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian or Other). You may or may not get overcrowded points, I’m not sure which schools in SF are giving points for overcrowding (you can ask the folks in your office). But by applying and getting rejected, you’d have a minimum of 8 points.
Magnets to look at include Sepulveda in North Hills, Holmes in Northridge, Nobel in Northridge, Frost in Granada Hills, and perhaps Lawrence in Chatsworth. In addition, depending on where you work, you might find that Millikan in Sherman Oaks or Walter Reed in North Hollywood are all options. All are just 15-25 minutes away by car. Since the brochure applications are due January 9th, the tours are mostly over, but you can find out when their open houses are in the spring to get a feel for them.
There are plenty of kids from San Fernando that have been to virtually all the schools I’ve listed, so your daughter won’t be the first, will likely not be the last, and she may find several of her classmates making the same trek.
Good luck, and if there’s anything that needs clarification, please holler and I’ll do my best. Good luck!!
January 28, 2009 at 6:01 pm
LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan Invites You to her First Ever!
East Valley Middle School Night
Featuring presentations on:
Madison – Millikan – Reed – Romer – Van Nuys
Wednesday, February 4th * 6:30pm-8:00pm
Madison Middle School & Medical Magnet Multi-Purpose Room
13000 Hart Street, North Hollywood, 91605
(North of Vanowen St & Ethel Ave)
The transition between elementary and middles school can be scary for students – and parents! The purpose of this event is to expose parents of 3rd to 5th graders to the many programs their neighborhood middle school has to offer. We will have presentations on local Middle Schools: Madison (North Hollywood), Millikan (Sherman Oaks), Reed (North Hollywood), Romer (Van Nuys), and Van Nuys (Sherman Oaks). Additionally, we will have District representatives on Magnet programs, Middle Schools Programs office, and Food Services. We are excited about the prospect of highlighting the things that make LAUSD schools fantastic and encouraging more parents to consider public schools an option for their children.
Students are welcome!
Refreshments will be provided. RSVP at (213) 241-6386.
Hope to see you there,
Denise Campos
Director of Community Affairs
LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan
Board District 3
333 S. Beaudry Ave. 24th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 241-4588 direct
(213) 241-6386 main
February 3, 2009 at 6:33 am
Hi Gang,
Found the Walter Reed tour to be truly amazing…think the IHP gives a great deal of private school attention in a public school environment. Warning…does look like a heck of a lot of work for our wee 6th graders but, I have to say, every class I went into? The kids were joyful, talkative, and bright. We went to the humanities tour two weeks later and couldn’t get a feel for the “Real” teachers since they were all in conferences! Saw a bunch of subs who were testing the kids. I do have friends that have kids in that program and love it. They also differentiate between honors and regular classes in the humanities small community. Gosh, certainly a lot to wade thru and think about, isn’t it? Good luck, all, on your searches!
Oh, one more thing. I’ve heard a lot of folks talk about the point system? We have been collecting points since our daughter was in kindergarten, thinking we’d need them at some point. I’d recommend to everyone to apply EVERY Dec. whether it seems likely you’ll need them or not. How ironic. Walter Reed we’re ZONED for!
Take care!
February 3, 2009 at 9:50 pm
My son graduated from Walter Reed’s IHP last year and had a blast. The work was challenging, but not overwhelmingly so. He didn’t have a lot of homework because Reed doesn’t seem to believe in busy work, but he did have to learn to budget his time. The projects were meaningful, and he had to learn to put thought into his work, especially in language arts. IHP kids do learn to write, even the ones who are more interested in math and science. Because the kids take three academically oriented trips, one in each grade, they tend to bond and make lifelong friends. The benefit we didn’t expect was the music education. Reed has long had an outstanding music department led by passionate teachers, and my son came away learning how to play three instruments. What he missed was a chance to play team sports with his classmates. Now that Reed is back on a traditional school year, I was hoping they’d bring back sports, but with all the budget problems in the LAUSD I don’t know. I have a 5th Grade daughter who’d love the IHP, but I’m not sure what lies ahead. Anybody know how smaller learning communities will be impacted??
February 5, 2009 at 12:44 am
Hi Marie!
Thanks for doing the legwork and reporting back! It sounds like you’ve got your choice made.
Still waffling if I want to go to the Tamar Galatzan thing tonight, but I have a few years before middle school and with everything so up in the air, I might just wait.
February 8, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Re: #12
Linda – the IHP program has long been admired by parents… indeed a few years ago, I went to an evening meeting to learn about it prior to having to make the middle school decision. It turned out that our kids were accepted into the gifted magnet at Palms MS which was pretty much on par with Reed’s IHP and music programs.
LAUSD is moving towards replicating the Small Learning Communities (SLCs) in the middle schools. You will be hearing about these changes soon – keep an eye out for information on Personalized Learning Environments (PLEs). Why they couldn’t just call them SLCs for middle school is beyond me but SLCs have had their challenges. The Board of Ed passed a small schools resolution awhile back but the budget woes are likely to have an impact upon that plan even if Superintendent Cortines sticks with the SLCs.
One thing I’d like to see is a clear pathway to an IHP high school program for students at Reed’s IHP (and Emerson’s, too). There is a plan to develop several International Baccalaureate programs at a few LAUSD middle and high schools. I’ll post more when I know.
Bill Ring
February 11, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Does anyone have a guess how many magnet points are needed for LACES? thanks
February 11, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Hi WSE, don’t guess. Contact the magnet coordinator and ask: “Last year, how many points did it take for a (insert race)(insert gender) to get in?” The numbers may be different for white/minority and boy and girl.
If they hedge on answering, then rephrase it, “in the last few years, typically how many points…..”
Most coordinators will tell you when asked directly.
February 14, 2009 at 6:10 am
Hi wse,
I actually went to the openhouse for LACES and the coordinator was completely forthcoming w/the points info for previous years. We ended up with a different choice so I didn’t write them down. Angel is right. Just call them…they were great at the openhouse.
February 14, 2009 at 6:20 pm
will do. this is all about next year for my son… we have 12 points… and i think our middle school gets us the extra 4…. looking at millikan performing arts, reed humanities, laces…
March 4, 2009 at 12:57 am
Frustration! Considering the unfabulous economy, we actually are in a position to take advantage of other’s misfortune and move closer to potential middle and high schools. We have been in our Silverlake house FOREVER so it is cheaper than an apartment, but my kids got into Wonderland so now we are magnet heads. But where do they go next?
Everyone loves Reed, Millikan SOCES and those Studio City North Hollywood private schools, so since we can, should we try and move closer? NO one in Silverlake keeps their boys here – they jaunt off to Pasadena for private school, or Ren Arts or??? Have a highly gifted and gifted kid and thinking we are going to end up at North Hollywood High. NO way the twins can both get in to LACES (no sibling points) and I will bust any move necessary to get my one science math geek, and super artsy creative kid into the same school. Why can’t we access the school admission boundary maps? How can I tell my real estate buddy where to look?
March 4, 2009 at 4:05 am
Geez, we suppose NO ONE in Silverlake has middle school-aged children, so instead of sticking to their guns and insisting on a GREAT Silverlake middle school option, fleeing is better? What if all the Wonderland people went on mass to the same Silverlake public middle school and insisted on the same excellence they experienced at Wonderland?
March 4, 2009 at 5:23 am
For the record, the Wonderland parents also flee their middle school, heading for the valley. I believe it is Burroughs.
A little history – we have been trying to move since it was twins instead of one, aiming at all the usual suspects; San Marino, La Canada and South Pasadena. These districts look great, on paper, to parents with unpredictable freelance incomes, but the price tag didn’t fit. We know LAUSD is a monster, but a many-tentacled one with lots of options for lots of different kinds of kids and I am sure there is something out there for my boys. It’s just that those teen years are coming, and they will soon be six feet tall and they are already boyish smelly, and hillside remodeling would entail nothing short of bankruptcy, and we could really use another shower. So what is the hardship with providing a little transparency and letting the public see those maps?!
March 4, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Gee everyone with boys I know in Silverlake (and I know a LOT of Silverlake parents) keep their kids in Silverlake. Silverlake HAS a great middle school- King. Have you even taken an honest look at your neighborhood school?
March 4, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Did the LA Parents Union thing and know that they are working on change, but in time? My kids are almost “special ed” in their needs – we do have an IEP – and I don’t think I can throw them into a student body of 2700+ kids.
Again, no one will give you the exact number of students on campus…you have to dig for it yourself. LAPU has found that smaller learning communities of 500 students or less create the successes like Ivanhoe and Wonderland, demanding accountability of the student population, and giving teachers more power in the process. Though Reed has a 1000 plus students, the successes mainly come form the smaller learning communities. And Thomas Starr King has not met the basic standards for program improvement nine years running. I have done the research. I have met with Yolie Aguilar. I have organized others and demanded change but I’m not sure it is going to be enough and in time for my kids. I thought fellow bloggers could shed some light and inspirations instead of criticism and blind blithe commentary.
March 4, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Peggy, your information on King is way out of date and I’m sorry but your attitude towards neighborhood efforts and facilities comes across as a little elitist and superficial. We visited King, which will switch to the regular school calendar next year, has a very impressive new principal and a radically improved Magnet. We have applied to both King Magnet and Renaissance Arts, which we also found very impressive, in a quite different way. I don’t know what “almost special ed” can possibly mean but our normal, intelligent 10 year-old could do perfectly well in either of the above schools with the appropriate level of parental involvement in his education. I do not know anyone who is fleeing to Pasadena, resorting to private schools out of desperation, or who feels the need to leave the neighborhood in a fit of parental martyrdom to obtain a base-level standard of middle-school education for their children elsewhere. Your children are no more or less “special” than any of ours and most of us are content with the progress that has been made in the local educational facilities, while recognizing the need to remain always vigilant. I’m sorry but I suggest you update your research and calm down a little.
March 5, 2009 at 12:52 am
We’re in San Fernando and my son did Lawrence for middle school (in Chatsworth, and that’ll be too far for you) and Verdugo Magnet for high school–teachers, counselors and administrators were VERY accommodating for a highly gifted kid vascillating between a math/science curriculum and a passion for (multi)media.
Keep in mind that junior high sucks for every parent. I almost wish we could blow the middle school concept up and go back to K-8 span schools (like parochial schools without the uniforms and nuns). Too, I’ve had limited dialog with LAPU and small is better–to a point. When you have incredibly bright, quirky kids, too small won’t meet their needs. Just based on what it takes to fill out the “normal” electives and specialized math/science offerings, I almost swear it takes 2000 kids at a high school. SLC are fine, so long as there’s not some artificial barrier keeping kids from one community from taking classes at the other to accommodate scheduling.
Junior high, you’re really looking for a school willing to differentiate/challenge your children without overwhelming them with gobs of homework. Have you thought of separating the boys, or are they a strong support network for each other? Have you looked at Millikan? I have a friend with a gifted son there and he’s thriving. You’re looking for the best fit possible and in your case it might be a slightly less than perfect fit for each if they’re so wildly different.
I hope you did apply for a magnet, and you’re looking at a few SAS options and also a couple of charters if any are in your area. When you keep all your options open, the likelihood of getting into more than one and having the luxury of comparing “offers” will help you sleep at night. For what it’s worth, you’re just getting a head start on college applications. Having just gotten my son into school last fall, the skills and organization I learned over all those magnet years is what I needed to help him organize his college brochures, applications, acceptance offers, and finally the myriad of paperwork to get him enrolled and living on campus.
Good luck, and hang in there Peggy. There were days I thought I wanted to just give up, but kids are resilient, and no school is PERFECT. The sooner you accept “great” or “very good” the sooner your kids will learn to love their environs.
March 6, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Peggy I am sorry you found my responses to be “criticism and blind blithe”, but your blanket statements were very insulting to all of us who keep our kids in local Silver Lake schools (note: our daughter was offered a spot in Wonderland when she was in 1st grade. We decided to keep her at Micheltorena because well it is a great school and we value neighborhood, community and we like the idea of allow our kid to walk to a friend’s house instead of driving to a “play date”)
Truth is, based on your pre existing bias, King would not be a good place you. I wish you and your sons luck.
March 6, 2009 at 6:33 pm
For the record, leaving this fantastic community was the most difficult aspect of switching to a magnet, but we have made great efforts to keep up with our Silver Lake friends. Yes, it takes a lot of work to organize play dates with those in your bus and school community.
And as for King, my immediate neighbors send their boys to Poly, Mayfield, Wesley, Ren Arts and the Lycee. They all attended Ivanhoe, and one has a son at Marshall, but not a single parent on my street opted for King. And I live on a tiny street with 8 families total, (the others are singles and long time residents of the neighborhood.) So, that’s my sample.
March 6, 2009 at 7:58 pm
I’m not going to try to mediate this discussion, but I live in a community I love–it’s walkable, it’s dynamic, and we have our own small-town police department with a 2 minute response time. I have been a city commissioner, and my son speaks out regularly at City Council meetings.
I also send my kids to schools outside my neighborhood. Oddly enough, my daughter’s best friend at that school (roughly 8-10 miles away) lives maybe 10 blocks away, so her parents chose the same for her. My son’s friends always came from his sport pursuits, not school. My daughter has friends through sports and through school.
We all want what’s best for our kids, and some people pursue that goal differently. There are all kinds of ways for a family to identify with a school community (or a church, or a sports organization, or you name it).
March 6, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Thanks, Angel.
So maybe this is the real discussion:
Anyone actually at Middle School? Anyone happy with their public Middle School? Why? NOT happy – why? What kind of school is it – neighborhood, magnet, charter, public with application process, etc. How did you cope with the admission process?
Just a horror story to share regarding the above. When the Middle Schools came to present at Wonderland, one brave magnet parent asked the following question:
I have a smart kid who has not distinguished himself in any particular way. He does his work, he has decent grades, but he’s not a cello prodigy, or a thespian, or a spelling champ, or a chemist, or a black belt in karate. He’s your basic student, and he is not incredibly motivated beyond being just a kid. Do any of you have a program for him, that will motivate him to be his best?
Not one of the “specialty” schools (charter, magnet, admission process) stepped up to the plate. It was a very uncomfortable silence, filled only by the home school that has to take the kid. They said they would “work” with him. YIKES!
These are questions best answered by those already there, and those who have been there, sharing their knowledge and experience, helping those of us who have to survive the parent rumor mill, the stressful “admission process” and tours that only “show and tell” what the school wants to reveal.
March 6, 2009 at 9:42 pm
King is in the midst of a gigantic overhaul. It is going to the regular school calendar, it has a brilliant, young, Harvard-educated new principal, it is dividing the 2800-student campus into four separate “pods” in order to foster greater intimacy, there is a large beautification program underway, its Magnet has been overhauled and the only contact the Magnet students get with the big, bad general poulation is at lunch and gym. Certain local demographic considerations, such as more middle- and high-school facilities coming online to the south have also proven helpful. If King had not done any of this, it would have been charterised, which would have cost the LAUSD a fortune, so local parents stand to benefit from bureaucratic self-interest, for once. I already mentioned, *we visited the school, attended Magnet classes, which were small-ish and very orderly, and met with the principal*. Have you visited King, Peggy? To rely on the “sample” you cite is preposterous because it does not take into account any recent developments and elevates ignorance of the facts to a credo. If you do not to your homework, how can you expect to avoid accusations of ignorance and elitism? If King is good enough for a large number of middle-class Silver-Lakers who would never have considered it a year ago (we certainly wouldn’t) what makes it so unsuitable for you that it doesn’t even justify due diligence on your part?
March 6, 2009 at 10:50 pm
To Barry. et. al.,
Which is exactly why I asked for information from people who have already enrolled their children at middle schools. But maybe you didn’t see that post.
Yes, King is undergoing a change. Yes, people appreciate the Magnet. But I am in a position where not one but two kids have to win the lottery at the SAME time. What would you do to extend not one, but two childrens’ chances of gaining simultaneous admission? Sibling points do not apply. So moving becomes a realistic, and possibly necessary option.
Also – is it such a good thing to have a divided community on campus? There is rancor in the canyon about FAIRNESS between home school opportunities and magnet opportunities. Not to mention that in Laurel Canyon, the distinction is hardly about class and race. So if it is a somewhat painful issue in the safe little enclave, I can’t imagine it could be so easily navigated as status quo at King. Maybe the divisiveness benefits the magnet kids, protects them from the big, bad world of the city they live in, but I am not sure it fosters a holistic approach to community. And isn’t that why many of us choose public school?
I have the advantage of waiting to see how the experiment at King takes root, since my entry date is Fall 2011, and I will go see for myself. But my family has been trying to move (unsuccessfully!) for EIGHT years. Oh the houses that went to so many other lucky bidders or flippers or contractors…We need another bathroom and we can’t configure one in our current location. So my field is wide open. I just would love to hear from parents ALREADY at middle schools. And I did start this post based on the idea of a move, I was just put over the wringer because of it. Should have just asked for opinions instead of venting personal frustrations…
March 6, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Dear Peggy,
OMG, turn away for a minute and Silverlake middle school chat is heatin’ up the blog! I’m going to take a little time yet to carefully read through all this, but in the meantime I want to thank you, Peggy, for starting this frank and lively discussion– I think these are (in the end) productive and important exchanges to have in our city, to lift our expectations of ALL schools– And just as an FYI, I happen to know Barry is British, so while he’s a really good guy he never hesitates to use language that is well, er, colorful! Barry!
Love and good vibes to all of you from deep in The Nuys,
Sandra
March 6, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Peggy,
I am not tring to harsh on you (in fact I wish I could say this to you email to email and not in a group seting). Its not that you asked about Silver Lake middle schools, its not that you are looking at all your choices, (all parents need to do that, even if it just leads back to the neighborhood school) but it was the words you used and the tone that you set right off the bat that pissed me off. You dissed us (parents who are or will send their kids to King) with out knowing us or knowing the school.
March 7, 2009 at 12:02 am
My daughter, Lucy Madden-Lunsford, now a senior at Marshall High School in the Magnet, attended King Magnet for middle school after Wonderland Magnet. She loved King and she especially loved her creative writing teacher, Steve Abee, who is an incredible teacher…they also had an after school basketball program for girls, and she did the winter play one year. The kids also made movies that premiered one Sunday at the Vista Theatre. She got very involved in school leadership at King too. We were happy there, and I did some writing workshops for kids there too. Location was also really important with two other kids in the family. Our son went to Wonderland and then John Burroughs Magnet and then John Marshall (because King didn’t have a magnet then.) Our youngest goes to Plasencia Magnet in Echo Park. Lucy is going to Sarah Lawrence this fall, so I will be forever grateful to the LAUSD Magnet Program. Our son is a junior at UC Santa Barbara. My husband is also a teacher at Plasencia, so we’ve been LAUSD for 21 years one way or another…Thanks Sandra for being the Magnet Yenta!
March 7, 2009 at 12:08 am
Doreet – And I tried to make the point that I had done some work on this, and that my neighborhood sample of all middle school-aged boys has fled. Yes, it is my sample and therefore incomplete, but not a single one of my neighbors has stayed for middle school. For the record, does anyone know if Tomn LaBonge’s son will be going to King? So I need information from people that do know what is happening locally and beyond, and it would be helpful to have someone who has experienced, is experiencing King as Magnet or home school to chime in. Or to chime in on Ren Arts, Millikan (anyone in the science program?) or Madison or the Nuys or Eagle Rock etc.etc. They could best shed light. And my intention was never to diss…just to to get information, to work the system as best possible to get my kids the best education I can (because we can’t afford to imagine private school tuition and wonder even about those almost evaporated college funds – sigh – too bad we don’t have a left-handed pitcher or a hoops prodigy.)All our kids deserve the best – Peggy
March 7, 2009 at 12:45 am
Peggy,
My kids are on both sides of middle school. My son survived his 2001-2004 term at Lawrence. I loved the magnet, wasn’t wild about the home school. My daughter is in 2nd grade, and I’m already looking. I’m not sure if I’d send her to Lawrence (I *love* that most of my son’s great teachers are still there), or if I’ll look at other schools in different areas for her.
I worry about 2500 kids or more in a middle school. Frankly I don’t want my kids to attend a high school that big.
I’ll talk to my friend with a son at Millikan. I’m not sure what program he’s in. I know she’s very happy with it.
For my daughter, I’m leaning toward schools closer to the central or east valley–Holmes has my interest, as do Millikan and Reed (15-20 minute drive). Of course, she’s only turning 8, so I need to keep gathering information until I know where her interests lie.
My only suggestion is to avoid stressing with the buzz of other parents. When my son went to Lawrence, most of his friends from Balboa went to Porter or Sepulveda. For high school he went to Verdugo–I liked the schedule and the size of the school above all.
You just need to find the school that’s right for your boys. It will happen.
March 7, 2009 at 3:10 am
Thank you, Sandra. You are a good blog prefect. In an English girls’ private school you’d have a little badge that says “Head Girl”.
We experienced more than a few middle-class tremors upon visiting King, even with all the changes and some pretty impressive classroom drop-ins. It’s a typical, physically unlovely urban middle-school, not the adorable little educational nirvana that is Ivanhoe Elementary. However, I felt that it would be hypocritical of me to commit to a neighborhood as specific as Silver Lake, in all its multicultural glory, without giving this radically improved school a chance. We saw many local parents on the tour and, as I have said, nobody we know is fleeing the neighborhood in despair at local middle-school options. Yes, it’s true that Magnet children are “streamed” away from the general population (I’m using prison terminology with tongue planted firmly in cheek) but there is no way that my childrens’ social world will not be influenced by the experience of a place like King, so I do not believe that the Magnet streaming represents a breach of faith with the way we have chosen to live.
Now, as for Renaissance Arts: We were blown away. There’s a caveat. Our son is musical (but no prodigy) and welcomes the opportunity to learn the violin, which is just as well as every student must play a stringed instrument and practice for an hour per night. My wife’s family is musical so having a ten year-old sawing away at a fiddle will be a less nerve rattling experience for Jenny than it might otherwise be and she will be able to supervise effectively. Latin is compulsory but I did eleven years of it, so that doesn’t intimidate us either and we welcome its rigor. Latin is unbelievably valuable. RenArts is not the most nurturing environment, however, and our sometimes feckless 10 year-old will get little sympathy if he shirks the academics. We welcome this. We have always thrown him into the deep end and he has always come through so far. PE consists solely of modern dance, so several heavyset dads could be seen walking away from the open house looking horrified. Not a problem for us or for our son. Our daughter may be a different matter and I can anticipate sending both children to separate schools, as she is a jock.
So, in each case, we face a daunting challenge. At King, the challenge is social; our son will have to deal with a large, urban melting pot for the first time in his life. At RenArts, it’s academic; he will have to work his little butt off just to keep up. But it will see him through high school if he does well.
It’s all quite scary, no doubt about it, but there is a tendency, which I’m trying to resist, amongst middle-class parents, to worry themselves into a frenzy, a component of which is a certain sense of entitlement. I’m far from immune; if I had the money I might go private and think nothing about turning my boy into Little Lord Fauntleroy. His (maternal) grandmother would love that. However, I do feel that we need to support neighborhood efforts, especially when the local middle-school appears to be walking the walk and not just talking the talk.
As for Labonge Minor, he’s in my son’s class at Ivanhoe; I think he’s headed for a parochial middle-school. In the neighborhood.
March 7, 2009 at 5:55 am
Hi Barry,
Thanks for the heads up on Ren Arts. Before this discussion, I’d never heard of it before. It’s an interesting idea.
March 7, 2009 at 7:00 pm
It’s a very successful school, Angel, but a very, very specific vision of the middle- and high- school experience. Jenny and I were educated in the UK so we have no direct experience of conventional American middle or high schools but parents who are nostalgic about their own traditional high-school years might not embrace this for their own children. We await the results of the lottery. If we are successful it’ll be Latin, violin and modern dance for our son, along with rigorous tuition in math and science. Yay.
March 7, 2009 at 11:23 pm
It’s likely too far from our place to be a viable option, but I’d definitely want people to see it, as an option that balances those Math/Science concerns with the music and art that people want their kids to get.
Does the school pay for the instruments as well?
March 8, 2009 at 8:02 am
Yes, the school pays for the instruments. Students are discouraged from selling them on eBay.
March 30, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Barry,
I visited Ren Arts last week for their final informational meeting this year. I was very impressed by the teaching approach and subjects taught. I especially appreciated the emphasis on practicing your instrument every night and allowing such by giving little if any homework. Ahh…the dreaded worksheets and plethora of projects that keep my daughter busy every night and weekend!
Because we visited the school in the evening, I got no sense of how the school truly feels when in session. I would love some description since the environment is truly unique with all the students in one room. Thank you.
May 17, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Great website.
My daughter auditioned for Millikan almost 2 weeks ago. We are on pins and needles about the results. There is no doubt about her vocal abilities but our problem is we are waiting to move to the valley from the south bay. She’s been in LAUSD Lawndale and she’s experienced 1) reverse discrimination, 2) getting jumped … you get the picture, it’s been traumatizing to say the least. She doesn’t even tell the kids at school she’s a singer because some kids are really jealous and cruel. So now we’re wondering if she doesn’t get in to Millikan what other performing arts middle schools are there in the valley. We are working with a real estate agent and our number one choice of a place to live is quality of schools. We’re looking at middle schools and high schools. Thanks.
May 18, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Hi Peggy,
I’m sorry to say I didn’t even realize that Millikan required try-outs for their magnet, so I’m of little use there. Did you contact them directly and ask how much longer you can expect to wait?
As for performing arts, you can check the echoices website located here: http://echoices.lausd.net/Mag/MagSchoolList.aspx?Specialty=D
The problem will be that you will apply in December for 2010-11.
Has your realtor helped you focus on specific neighborhoods yet? Given how big the Valley is and how spread out things are, recommending the Performing Arts magnet in Pacoima might be a real haul if you’re in Sherman Oaks, and I’m not even sure where to start with some of the small learning communities.
I’ll respond back if you can give us a little guidance.
May 22, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Thank you so much for answering. Well we got the letter today and she didn’t get accepted. She’s put on a waiting list. So now we’re free to look in other neighborhoods to move and actually have an appt with a realtor this evening in Granada Hills. I know they have good schools but I still think we should try for a performing arts school. So you think Pacoima has a good program? I will check that out and if you think of any others near Granada Hills or have suggestions, I welcome them.
Thanks,
Peggy
May 23, 2009 at 5:19 am
Hi Peggy.
There are great schools in the Granada Hills area for middle school–including Frost, Porter, Nobel, and even Patrick Henry. You’d have to check out Pacoima to see what it offers, and whether it’s going to offer enough for your daughter.
For high school, you might want to start looking at CHAMPS charter high school in Van Nuys, because they are a Performing Arts school: http://www.champscharter.com/ But even Granada Hills High is known for it’s marching band, drama, and other programs (with 4000 kids, it’s got something for everybody).
August 16, 2009 at 9:19 am
I just found this website tonight, and wanted to say thanks for the information. We were accepted off the wait list at Valley Alternative due to class size increases, and turned it down, losing our 12 magnet points. Now we have 0. I figure we may not get the middle school magnet we want, so are looking into SAS schools. In the north valley, I saw mention of Frost, Nobel, and Lawerence, but very little mention of Holmes SAS program. Does anyone have information to share about Holmes SAS?
Thanks,
Judy
August 16, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Holmes is a rising star in the Valley middle school buzz. I’ve got my eye on Holmes as a possibility for my daughter, and I know that I have friends who will be looking at it as soon as next year. I’m not sure how long it’s been around, but the buzz is steadily getting better. I’ll be attending any open houses this fall with another family (my daughter has a few years, but I go for moral support and a little recon), so I’ll report back as soon as I hear anything.
As an aside, since no one planned the class size increases when they applied to Valley Alternative, when did they call you? I’ve definitely had parents asking me about that.
August 16, 2009 at 11:55 pm
I’d love to hear any info you get on Holmes SAS.
I got my call from Valley Alternative on May 22. Another family we know with more points got the call a week or two before that, so I was happy when I’d go a day without a phone call, but eventually it came. I had a long conversation with the magnet coordinator, she told me many families had turned them down. I was wondering how far down the list they had to go before receiving acceptances. How many points did the families have who did not get a call?
August 17, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I’ll post back on Holmes, but it unfortunately won’t be ’til late fall, but I’ll definitely keep asking around.
Regarding Valley Alternative, we were really curious, because magnet apps went in before the class size increases, and I wasn’t sure if the immediate acceptances reflected the new class-size numbers or not. Since Valley Alternative is the assumed turn down from first or second grade on, there were most likely quite a few shocked families. We had debated on applying to Balboa for third or Valley, and went with Valley, because there is a third grade class addition at Balboa, and we were concerned our daughter would get in there. In hindsight that concern pales in comparison.
Our daughter had 8 points this year, going into third grade (applying during second grade). We are probably not going to apply to SOCES, but we’d like that as an option, if need be.
Keep in mind as you’re looking at the SAS and some magnets, that the numbers have come down a bit, given the class size increases, and the no-longer automatic “overcrowded” points.
Even with the high schools, I’ve seen parents apply to three or four and then have the problem of getting into all of them and having to go back and decide. It’s a numbers game, and if you’re in the North SFV, you have a lot of choices. You’ll see Lawrence referred to a lot, since that was where my son went, and to me, it’s still a golden opportunity. Oddly enough, most of my son’s friends went to Porter or Sepulveda, and I hear almost nothing about Sepulveda anymore.
Hang in there. You don’t sound frenzied, and the longer you can maintain that composure, the easier the year will be. You do have options, and you’ll likely be able to get into at least one of them. 
August 18, 2009 at 4:58 am
I was wondering:
1) Did your son go to Lawrence magnet or SAS?
2)Why wouldn’t you want your daughter to go to SOCES?
August 28, 2009 at 5:23 am
Judy/Angel:
I have two close friends with their children at Holmes and another friend’s daughter going there this fall. They are very happy with the exception that they feel homework can be heavy in the SAS program. All were in SAS but some of them are moving over to the Magnet side this coming year, where they’ve heard homework is more reasonable. Obviously everyone has different experiences… But in terms of general safety, environment, etc., they seem quite pleased. The third friend entering this year didn’t want to just follow them and did all the tours at Porter, Frost, Nobel, etc. She and her daughter both ended up loving Holmes and are thrilled she got in. It is definitely something worth checking out!
August 18, 2009 at 7:54 am
My son was at the Lawrence magnet from 2001-2004. Most of his same teachers are still there. He still goes back to visit many of them.
We live in San Fernando, and SOCES would be a pretty long commute. I’m also concerned about the 4-12 concept, in regard to the limits it places on some extracurricular activities with the smaller upper grades–namely water polo. We have a friend who teaches there, and there is some drop off in HS because the kids have been there so long. And I’ve seen the summer required reading list, and I do a lot of enrichment with her in the summer, and I don’t want to have to compete with stuff from the school. It’s completely my opinion, and I realize I’m going against conventional wisdom, but I’m used to it.
August 28, 2009 at 10:23 am
Thank you Rebekkah for your reply. You have definitely put my mind more at ease. You and magnetangel have been of great comfort. As you can see by my posting times, I am up some nights just trying to research schools. I think SAS is my only option as we lost all our magnet this year being accepted off the wait list at VAS, and turning them down. Do you know how many point your friends had had to be able to move over to the magnet?
Judy
August 28, 2009 at 10:26 am
Ok, looking at my time on the post it says 10:23 am, but it’s 3:28 a.m.
Good night and thanks
August 28, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I think the time is actually Greenwich Mean Time. I’ll look into it, but it’s always about 7-8 later than we post. As for homework in any of the middle schools in the early posts.
Also, to address the homework load at any of the gifted magnets or SAS, it’s a very common complaint. The schools/teachers balance the needs of the gifted, along with the parents who want them to give tons along and the ones who’d prefer none. Unfortunately, it always seems the parents who are trying to get their kids in Harvard by 8th grade complain louder.
August 28, 2009 at 7:04 pm
“Unfortunately, it always seems the parents who are trying to get their kids in Harvard by 8th grade complain louder.”
Actually, we experienced just the opposite in our SAS middle school program. My son appeared to have relatively reasonable homework burdens and only a few assignments during winter break in his SAS/IHP program. A few parents still complained that it was too much. When we asked them how long their kids were spending on homework, it was double and triple what my son was doing and he was getting straight A’s. When I asked my son, he said that the teachers were very explicit about how long to spend on one of the winter break assignments (“no more than 3 hours”) and yet the kids of the complaining parents had spent 20+ hours. Sometimes, I think the parents complaining about too much homework need to take a serious look about how efficient their kids are in doing their homework. You can spend an awful lot of time at a desk with a computer/phone/ipod etc and get very little done. Even if your child is working the whole time, parents need to help kids prioritize and not spend hours on parts of the assignment that should take minutes.
August 28, 2009 at 9:34 pm
There were definitely kids that could turn the simplest projects into huge productions, and kids who goof off on the computer all night, but I happen to be one of the families that believes the break should be just that–a break.
If a teacher wants to assign homework over the break, I hope they’ll be around to help answer questions. In my experience, that’s not what happens.
I think middle school, too, at the SAS/Gifted Magnet level is where families realize their kids can be gifted in some subjects and not all areas. My son could plow through math and science at a blistering pace, but a writing assignment could be like pulling teeth. He knew what he wanted to say, but just couldn’t make it take pages.
I’ve got a few years before I worry about it again with my daughter, but I will be looking at that issue most closely when it comes to choosing a middle school.
August 30, 2009 at 12:19 am
Hi Everyone,
I just found this site and am thrilled to have all this great information. We are moving to Sherman Oaks and my son will be attending Millikan Performing Arts Academy SAS 6th grade permitted. Not the magnet.
His home school is Van Nuys MS. Last semester when my son was in 5th grade I applied for the magnet and was turned down. Shouldn’t I have 4 points for the 2009-2010 calendar year? I was just told that my son will get 8 points because VN MS is PHBAO and overcrowded? All of this is new to me so any in sight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Terry
October 24, 2009 at 12:32 am
Hi Terry, sorry I missed this until now. You will receive 4 points on the letter you’ll receive next winter. They don’t assume you’ve been turned down until you actually get to the next year.
October 23, 2009 at 12:38 am
The coordinator and principal from King middle school (Silver Lake- Los Feliz- Franklin Hills community) Gifted/ High Ability magnet gave a presentation at my daughters grade school (Micheltorena Street School) today. WOW this program sound GREAT!!! They are offering tour’s to interested parents/ community members in November and December. Their contact info is (323) 644-6754.
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November 5, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Meet the (Middle School) Magnets will be hosted by Sepulveda Middle School in North Hills on Wednesday, November 12, from 6:30 to 8:30.
In attendance will be representatives from:
Columbus Math/Science/Medical,
Frost Math/Science/Technology,
Henry Computer/Math/Science/Technology,
Holmes International Humanities,
Lawrence Gifted/Highly Gifted/High Ability,
Madison Health/Medical Careers/Science,
Nobel Math/Science/Technology,
Pacoima TV/Performing Arts and Computer/Math,
Porter Gifted/High Ability,
Sepulveda Gifted/High Ability,
Van Nuys Math/Science
I’m going to try to attend, but I have a conflict. But if anyone does attend, definitely let us know what you heard.
August 23, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Hi all,
Just wanted to say our son starts this year at Walter Reed Humanities Honors Academy. we live in los feliz and decided not to go to King, we were looking for one of these smaller learning communities, having heard of their success and coming from a private school , thought it might be a good transition and fit.
we had no points towards magnets and feel lucky to have gotten in. they have a strong parent base and we’ll see, if people are interested in our experience, I’ll write again as time goes by and give details, let me know and i’ll be happy to share . good luck fellow travellers, annabelle
August 24, 2009 at 4:20 am
I’m definitely interested, Annabelle. Thanks for sharing. Your trek down this road will make it easier on the families that follow
September 15, 2009 at 5:25 pm
My daughter just started Technology Honors last week at Walter Reed. After only four days, she said her world history/ geography and ancient history teacher is the best teacher she’s ever had. The place is huge and overwhelming, but I have high hopes that she’ll enjoy it. Only five girls in her class out of 34 kids though, the opposite problem with humanities honors. She’ll have this same class all three years so I hope she’ll make good friends.