15 Responses to Glendale
Leave a Reply
Recent Comments
 | the nice mom on GreatSchools.org (our tak… |
 | Anon on Westside |
 | doreet on GreatSchools.org (our tak… |
| the nice mom on Westside |
| the nice mom on Glendale |
A Parent-to-Parent Resource for Los Angeles Public Schools
| the nice mom on GreatSchools.org (our tak… |
| Anon on Westside |
| doreet on GreatSchools.org (our tak… |
| the nice mom on Westside |
| the nice mom on Glendale |
BEN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY
There’s a gem of an elementary school in Glendale–Ben Franklin Elementary. Total enrollment is only 350. They have language immersion programs in German, Spanish, and Italian.
The teachers employ the icons of depth and complexity and thinking maps when creating and teaching lessons school-wide. These concepts are used for gifted students in the district, but for all students at Franklin. Sure it’s a Title One school with about 75% on free or reduced lunches, but it’s better than a lot of private schools out there.
Additionally, out of district permits are welcome!
My son will be entering kindergarten there next year. We’re so excited. What a find, I tell ya!
Caroline Halili
andycaroline@mac.com
My twin girls just started Spanish Immersion Kinder this fall, so I don’t know the school well yet, but the first impressions are great. The Spanish Immersion teachers (there are 2, plus 2 German and 1 Italian as well as other elementary schools in Glendale that offer Spanish, Korean and Armenian) are so sweet to the kids. One of my girls is doing great, and the other is struggling, but the teachers are so sweet and communicative about our kids that I feel very confidant in the process. The admin is also really open and the Principal is such a friendly guy and visible to all the kids each morning – it helps us feel connected, as we were permited in at the last minute. (They are open to folks from out of district permiting in, FYI)
my son is in Spanish kinder and has really taken to it! The principal is very friendly and focused on the betterment of the school. And the most amazing aspect of the Dual Language program – are the parents! I have never seen this level of parent involvement, from volunteering, to creating a fund raising team, creating a Green Team (planting a garden), bringing the STAR after school program to the kids. It’s pretty spectacular.
I understand that there are two schools in Glendale offering Spanish Immersion – Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison. Are their teaching approaches different? What are their core differences? As small and appealing as Franklin is, I’ve heard that they will double in size over the next few years and kids are in trailers (not that trailers are necessarily insufficient.) How to choose between the two?
Ben Franklin is a much smaller school. The teaching approaches are identical. I’m not sure if Edison employs the thinking graphs as part of the “best practices,” but they’ve definitely got teaching Spanish immersion down. Edison has had the program longer with 6th graders graduating from the immersion program in June.
However, from my understanding, Edison does not have a PTA nor any other parent group (i.e. PTO, Booster Club). Parent involvement is key. Ben Franklin has a lot of it—and a very talented group of parents I might add.
Hello
I am interested in the Edison immersion program. Question, I live in LAUSD and was casually informed (by my son’s preschool program) that LAUSD is not granting out of district permits. Does anyone have reliable info and/or personal tips tpo share?
Thanks
Maria Elena
Hi Maria Elena. There is an appeal process and a group of frustrated parents sharing their horror stories on Facebook. It’s located here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=413285633272
You can ask for advice from them, but they don’t seem to be having that much luck either. The new forms/process for 2011-12 have not been finalized, so there’s no final word on what it will take. Some families have appealed all the way to the County Board of Education, and even those get turned down. Good luck.
High Tech High—is it suitable for gifted/highly gifted children? I looked at their website—no Honors or AP classes are offered. Is this correct? Any input will be appreciated
Are you referring to HTH in Van Nuys? I’ll try to get someone to post about their experience there.
It seems to explain pretty clearly in their FAQ that they do offer honors contracts for their students (dual rostered students–honors students in a class doing a more in-depth project in order to be designated an honors course). They also spell out their philosophy on AP, and encourage students to take the actual courses at a community college.
http://www.ht-la.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=57897&type=d
Sent to me this week:
I would like to pass the information that a French Immersion Program is starting this coming fall 2012 at B. Franklin Magnet School in the Glendale Unified School District. It will be the 1st French Immersion Program in Los Angeles!
The location of this program will be at Franklin Elementary School in Glendale, CA.
Franklin Magnet School
1610 Lake Street
Glendale, CA 91201
School Office Phone: 818-243-1809
Contact Ana Jones for tour information. Ajones@gusd.net or call 818-243-1809
They will begin with one class of French Kindergarten with 31 new students.
To enter in this Kindergarten program your child must be 5 years old by November 1, 2012. However, if your child was born between November 1st and December 2nd you may still apply (read the fine print on the back of the application on GUSD website). You don’t need to leave in the District!
If your child is a French native speaker or relatively fluent in the language you will have a priority in the enrollment . Your child will have to pass an oral language test (Stanford FLOSEM) at the school in order to evaluate his/her level.
The application for enrollment will be available online next week and it will be announced as soon as it becomes available on the GUSD Website at http://www.gusdelementarymagnet.org. The deadline to submit your application is January 27, 2012, at 4:30pm. Application submittal does not guarantee enrollment. A lottery will be held on February 9, 2012 to select the 31 students.
A school tour is required in order to complete your application. To schedule a tour at Franklin Magnet School please contact Ana Jones, the teacher specialist. After the tour you’ll be given a TOUR VERIFICATION SLIP, attach it to the printed copy you made of the application you filled out online and mail it to the Magnet office address listed on the application. Make sure you keep a copy for yourself
If you have any question please contact us at frenchip@sbcglobal.net
Wondering if you’ve heard that Franklin in Glendale is *trying* to cease the German program? Citing (erroneous) lack of support, lack of interest and an inability to find credentialed teachers. All false! There will be a packed meeting at Franklin on Tuesday, December 20th at 5pm and I would encourage anyone who is considering ANY language immersion program in Glendale Unified to attend. If they’re willing to scrap a highly successful immersion program at the drop of a hat, they can do it again. A threat to one is a threat to all.
I just wanted to come here to share how *disappointed* I am that my girls are unlikely to attend any of the GUSD Kindergarten magnet programs I applied to on their behalf. Keppel VAPA was my first choice and during the tour of the school I fell in love. I also “drank the kool-aid” served up by the other touring parents who’d heard that GUSD was able to offer a spot last year to everyone who applied to Keppel (which means they made it all the way through a list that was 45-50 families long). No such luck this year as the waiting list is approx 125 (and I’m in the 90s!).
The GUSD magnet office tells me I have an outside shot at the Edison Technology Magnet, which I’d gladly take if offered, but they’ll have to make it a looooong way down that list too!
I’ll be re-applying next year despite the longer odds in an advanced elementary grade and in the meantime envying those of you whose children will be able to participate in these amazing programs!
May I suggest you research the Sapnish immersion dual language program at Aldama Elementary School in Highland Park.. You may still have time. read about it.
I mean Spanish.
HELP. Looking for Advise – Regarding picking a Kindergarten.
We applied to numerous Charters & some privates & didn’t get in – so in a panic I started applying to all the open enrollments & SAS schools I could find (not that my kid is amazingly advanced in reading or math – but I’m reaching). My dream school would be a progressive immersion school with great arts, sports, & environmental awareness – but alas I am lucky to have a school at this point. We live in Hollywood Hills & just got accepted to 3 public school each min. 30 minutes drive from our house (ouch). Each has pros:
1. Glendale – Muir – Spanish Immersion (we can get the LAUSD permit) – pro: Spanish Immersion, con – I have no idea how the families are involved & if they are going to work together to really get kids what they need with the cutbacks. I like the idea of language immersion & fear I only have 1 chance to start in Kindergarten
2. LAUSD – Roscomare. Seems like it has GREAT Parent involvement. But a friend mentioned that MORE cutbacks are looming & class sizes may be even greater in size etc. I think? it is pretty academic & I wonder how they cater to different children’s learning styles.
3. LAUSD – Mount Washington Elementary – seems like it has good arts
I may hear from other open enrollements I applied to next week… but these places want a commitment asap.
Our Details
1)Son born 11/15/06: high energy, loves music & dancing, has great anxiety about being separated from mom, loves to learn in a fun environment
2) seeking Kindergarten
3) in LAUSD our local school is Cheremoya