Perplexed by the magnet system? Confused by the points? Want to hear from folks who’ve been there before you? Spend a few minutes by reading our FAQs and poke around the site a bit.
Post your LAUSD magnet questions in the comments below.
*As a friendly reminder, this is a free service, provided by volunteers. Not all schools are represented and opinions may differ.
Magnet season is nearly here. The eCHOICES Application opens on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016 with a deadline of Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016. Meet the Magnets nights usually do not require reservations. Most school tours DO. Please check with the school’s website to reserve your spot or confirm they do not require advanced registration.
Please share your magnet info such as tours and magnet nights in the comments and I will add them to this list. Questions? Ask those in the comments as well.
Let the games begin!
High Schools
Meet the High School Magnet Night
Thursday, 9/29/2016, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Monroe High School
High School Info Night
(16 public & private options presenting)
Thursday, October 6th
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Meet in Auditorium
King Middle School
Middle School
Meet the Middle School Magnets
Wednesday, 9/28/2016, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sepulveda Middle School
Meet the Middle School Magnets
Lanai Elementary
October 15, 2016 See link below for details:
20161015-meet-the-middle-schools-flyer
Elementary Schools
Braddock gifted magnet tours
Tuesday October 4, Tuesday October 18, Tuesday November 1, all at 8:30-10am
Clifford Math and Technology Magnet in Echo Park/Silver Lake is a TK-6 magnet school with 160 students total. Tour dates:
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 11:00 – 12pm
Friday, Oct. 21, 8:30 – 9:30am
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 11:00 – 12pm
For more info, visit us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/CliffordMagnet or at our website https://cliffordes-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Middle Schools
Millikan Performing Arts Magnet and Academies
http://www.millikanmiddleschool.org/apps/spotlightmessages/338
09/23/2016 8:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
09/23/2016 1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
10/7/2016 8:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
10/7/2016 1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
10/21/2016 8:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
10/21/2016 1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
11/4/2016 8:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
11/4/2016 1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
The Science Academy
This program, currently housed on Millikan’s campus is a separate Magnet school. Please read the following page: http://scienceacademy.school/magnet and for tour info, contact: scienceacademycontact@gmail.com
Sepulveda Gifted Magnet
Tours start September 30 http://www.sepulvedams.org/apps/events/?id=0
High Schools
Van Nuys High School
Math & Science Magnet
Medical Magnet
Performing Arts Magnet
Magnet Tour sign ups from the home page (blue button) http://www.edline.net/pages/Van_Nuys_Senior_High
Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at 9:00am to 10:30am
Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 10:30am to 12:00noon
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 9:00am to 10:30am
Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 10:30am to 12:00noon
Since the first posts about magnet tours have started coming in, here’s the official “post your magnet tour schedule here” thread. I will cut and paste all tours and magnet nights from the comments into this main post. Thanks to all who help with this list. Last year’s magnet application ‘season’ was October 1 through November 15.
This year, the deadline is November 13. That they pick Friday the 13th amuses me to no end, but do NOT try to submit in those waning hours, as you will experience delays and likely great sadness.
Meet the Magnets Middle School
Flyer 2015 2 (1) (1) High Schools
Walter Reed Middle School is having their annual Meet the High Schools night on October 7th. Last year they had over 40 High schools represented.
First, the Meet the Magnet Night for SFV-ish middle schools will be Wednesday, September 30th, at Sepulveda Middle School from 6-8 pm. Parents will attend an opening informational session followed by four 20-minute sessions put on by different schools of interest. This is a HUGE time saver for parents to see four schools in one night and figure out which schools to tour.
Meet the Magnet Night for SFV-ish high schools will be Thursday, October 1st, at Monroe High School from 6-8 pm, and again starts with an overview session and then families can break out to four sessions. Students are welcome.
Magnet Tours
Elementary
Clifford Math and Technology Magnet (K-6 school in Echo Park):
Tuesday, October 6, 11 am-12 pm
Tuesday, October 13, 8:30-9 am
Tuesday, October 20, 11 am-12 pm
Tuesday, October 27, 8:30-9 am
If none of these dates work for you, contact the school to schedule a tour. For more info: https://cliffordes-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Middle
LACES
This year our annual open house for all prospective families will be held on October 21, 2015 from 9:00am-11:00am and will begin in the LACES auditorium. no RSVP is necessary.
Lawrence Gifted MS
All tours begin at 8 am in the library
Tuesday, Oct 6
Tuesday, Oct 13
Wednesday, Oct 21
Monday, Oct 26
Monday, Nov 2
Monday, Nov 9
No reservation needed, students are welcome to attend
Millikan Middle School for both the magnet and academy dates are here:
http://www.millikanmiddleschool.org/apps/news/article/492257
Nobel Math & Science Magnet
http://www.nobelms.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?type=d&uREC_ID=312179&pREC_ID=806462
Palms Gifted Magnet
http://www.palmsmiddleschool.org/visitors-days
Paul Revere M/S/T Magnet
http://www.paulreverems.com/domain/179
Porter Gifted MS
October 8, October 14, October 21, October 29
8:15 -10:15 am
(We would appreciate it if parents would call the magnet office to reserve a place for each tour.)
Thomas Starr King MS
http://www.kingms.org/apps/news/article/482919
High School
Cleveland Humanities Magnet
http://www.corebaby.org/enrollment/magnet-tours-sign-up/
Grant High School Communications Technology Magnet. Fridays: September 25, October 2, 9, and 23, and November 6 and 13. Tours begin at 8:15 am, and are lead by current students and Magnet parents. Please RSVP for a tour at 818-756-2776.
While we still await the official changeover on the Echoices website for the new magnet season (website opens 10/1/14 and applications are due 11/14/14), Sepulveda Middle School has posted that their yearly “Meet the Middle School Magnets” Night will be October 2 from 6-8 pm. And Monroe has confirmed their Meet the Magnets night will be October 1 from 6 to 8 pm. Please in the comments, share upcoming magnet nights, tours, etc. As time permits, I will make a list within the body of this post. Many schools are already listing dates in September. Let the games begin! And as always, with questions, ask away in the comments as well.
Meet the High School Magnets Night, Monroe HS
October 1, 6-8 pm
Meet the Middle School Magnets Night, Sepulveda MS
October 2nd, 6-8 pm
Indvidual magnet tours (alphabetical)
Check individual schools for any changes:
High School:
Cleveland Humanities Magnet Tours starts at 8:30 am @ Room E10
09/19, 09/24, 10/03 Oct 7, Oct 16, Oct 21, Oct 27 @ 8:30 am
RSVP Link http://www.corebaby.org/enrollment/magnet-tours-sign-up/
Hamilton Magnet High School (Music)
Tours begin Oct 8 and every Wednesday at 8-10 am through November 12. No reservations necessary.
John Marshall Gifted Magnet
Tours @ 10:30-11;30 am
Oct 1, 8, 15
RSVP is required by contact Pat Jeffries at (323) 671-1430 or pmj3914@lausd.net
North Hollywood High School Highly Gifted Magnet
Oct 10, Oct 16, Oct 27
3 tour times to choose from
8:30-10 am; 11 am-12:30 pm; and 1:30-3 pm.
RSVP at (818) 753-6213 between 8-11 am or send email to kmp4366@lausd.net. Make sure you include your name, phone number, the number of people attending and the date/time you wish to attend.
http://highlygiftedmagnet.org/
Venice High School (STEMM & World Languages Magnet)
Tours @ 8:45-10 am in Student Cafeteria
Oct 2, 9, 23, 30
Nov 6, 13
No RSVP is required. Tours are intended for parents ONLY.
http://www.venicehigh.net/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=399189&id=0
Middle School:
King Middle School Magnet Tours starts at 8:15 @ King Library
Oct 9, Oct 16, Oct 23, Nov 6, Nov 13
RSVP Link
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dLM29-ARB96t4qnjFKGwj2Em_8wRSbk-k6k1xkt-kWc/viewform
Lawrence Gifted Magnet
Magnet Informational Tours:
Wednesday, October 8
Tuesday, October 21
Wednesday, October 29
Wednesday, November 5
Monday, November 10
No reservations needed.
Students are welcome to attend.
All tours begin at 8:00am in the Lawrence Middle School Library
LACES Open House Oct 22
9-11 am (No RSVP required)
Click to access Open%20House%20Flyer%202014.pdf
Millikan Middle School
Tours begin in the library.
They are held at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
They last approximately an hour and a half.
http://www.millikanmiddleschool.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=399312&id=0
Because of on school construction, tours are limited to those who register. Please register.
Nobel Middle School
All Tours are from 9-11:30 am in Multi-Purpose room
Sept 29, Oct 1, Oct 6
RSVP at magnet office 818-773-4730
Palms Gifted Magnet
Tours begin @ 9 am in Auditorium
Oct 6, Oct 24, Nov 3
April 13th, 2015 (after magnet deadline)
NO RSVP is required.
http://www.palmsmiddleschool.org/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1283110966319
Porter Gifted Magnet
Tours @ 8:15-10:15 am
Dates are: Oct 8; Oct.16; Oct. 22, Oct. 27
Portola Highly Gifted Magnet Tours start at 8:30 am
Oct 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10
http://www.portolams.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=44622&type=d&pREC_ID=129758
Paul Revere Magnet
Tours @ 9-10:30 am
Sept 18, Oct 9, Nov 6
http://www.paulreverems.com/domain/179 (they have more tour dates after deadline for charter lottery)
Mark Twain World Language Magnet
Tours begin @ 8:30 am every Wednesday in the Principal’s Conference Room
Sept 17, 24
Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Nov 5
http://twainms-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com/cms/news_item?d=x&id=1332658360138&group_id=1315231276141&return_url=1410286594708
Elementary School:
Braddock Drive Gifted & High Ability Magnet
Tours starts at 8:30 am in the magnet office. No RSVP is required.
Oct 7, Oct 21, Nov 4
Community Magnet Charter School
Tours @ 9-10:30 am
Oct 23, Nov 10
Eagle Rock Gifted & High Ability Magnet
Tours @ 8:30 am
Oct 20, Nov 3 in Auditorium
Nov 6 in Room 3
Eagle Rock Highly Gifted Magnet
Tours @ 8:30 am
Oct 21, Nov 4 in Auditorium
Oct 30 in Room 3
Open Charter Magnet Elementary School
Oct 28, Nov 4 at 8:30 am
http://www.opencharter.org/node/1305
Vintage Magnet Elementary School
In Main Office
9 am Oct 13, Oct 20, Oct 27
1:15 pm Nov 3
Welby Way Gifted & High Ability Magnet Tours
Oct 22, Oct 29, Nov 10
RSVP at 818-992-8229
Click to access Magnet%20Tour%20Poster%20August%20%202014.pdf
The final school choice program for the 2014-15 school year is now open. Find schools in your area here. Applications are available from May 5 to May 23. If you have any questions, ask away in the comments. Press release is here.
Districtwide, 7500 spots are available at 270 schools in every local district.
According to this article on Tamar Galatzan’s website, two well-known West Valley charter schools will be able to add grades by expanding onto long-closed campuses. El Camino Real has been given the go ahead to add K-8 after reconstruction at Highlander Elementary, converting Oso Elementary to an outdoor science education campus for the K-8, and moving and expanding their continuation high school to the Platt Ranch Elementary campus.
CHIME charter, currently a K-8, would be adding a high school at Collins Street Elementary after razing classrooms and other upgrades.
The key consideration for parents is both these campuses are expanding their already successful programs to meet the needs of more campuses. There had been rumors for years that other charters would expand, and with Granada Hills Charter High School owning the Pinecrest site, it’s still up in the air if they will move in the K-8 direction (vertical growth) or expand their offerings for the 2000+ student wait list.
Do successful school ‘brands’ make you more likely to go K-12 within that system? What if Castlebay Lane or Ivanhoe went to 8th grade? Or if Taft HS could go 6-12? Is that an attractive option? Let us know in the comments.
While some of us are celebrating or need a little consoling, the other important window of LAUSD choice is now open.
Last year’s app is still up, but nothing is likely to change. Start gathering the info on this, and I will repost the 2014-15 application as soon as it appears: http://www.lausd.net/lausd/offices/GATE/prog-opt-3.html
To locate schools in your area with Schools for Advanced Studies, scroll down from that link as well.
Families can apply to more than one SAS program.
Questions? Fire away in the comments section below.
Update: the new SAS application is available HERE = and the newly redesigned LAUSD Gifted and Talented website can ba accessed here.
Ask a Magnet Yenta is an all-volunteer resource for parents learning the magnet system. Before you post, PLEASE spend time on the E-choices website: http://echoices.lausd.net . The site lists every magnet available, deadline dates, bus schedules, maps.
Magnets never require grades. Only gifted and highly gifted magnets require proof of ability which may be test scores or other identification. Magnet applications are due between October to November 15.
Other programs differ with their requirements (SAS is an application and does require tests and grades. Open enrollment requires an application), but please do some research before you post. We want to help, but we need to be respectful of our volunteers’ time.
GreatSchools.org is hosting a contest for the months of August, September and October where three lucky schools will win $5000 each. There’s no groceries to buy, no fundraisers to support, and you’re already an expert at what they’re requesting.
Simply write a review of your child’s school, then get two friends from the school to do the same, and you’re entered. Every review after that up to ten reviews is another entry. So unlike American Idol, you won’t have to call in for hours. A simple, thoughtful review on what you like (and perhaps what you don’t) about your child’s school. There’s more information here.
Parent’s word of mouth is one of the best ways to narrow down the search for a school and you’ll be helping your school and a whole lot of parents at the same time. And whether your school chooses to put the money toward technology, art, a new playground, or music, it’s entirely up to you. Good luck!
LAUSD has opened its Open Enrollment season with applications due by May 24th. Parents can obtain a list of schools by Educational Service Center (formerly local districts) by visiting here.
Feel free to ask questions in the comments section, but keep in mind the following:
Ask A Magnet Yenta 