# Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Schools Overview

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the second-largest public school district in the United States, serving over 565,000 students across **approximately 1,300 schools**【74†L189-L197】【74†L203-L211】. LAUSD directly operates hundreds of schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as some combination (span) schools serving multiple grade spans. (This excludes over 200 independently‑operated charter schools in the LA area, which are **not** part of this report【45†L13-L17】.) Below is a detailed overview of LAUSD‑operated schools by level, including their names, levels, locations, enrollments (where available), performance indicators, notable programs, and school types (traditional, magnet, pilot, or affiliated charter).

**Enrollment and Size:** Individual LAUSD schools vary widely in size. **Elementary schools** make up the largest share (over 400 campuses)【76†L216-L223】, with enrollments ranging from under 200 students to over 1,100 students【93†L1-L3】. **Middle schools** typically serve grades 6–8 and can enroll up to ~1,800 students【93†L1-L3】, while **high schools** (grades 9–12) often have student populations in the thousands (many between 1,000–3,000 students). These schools are organized into local districts (regions) and each LAUSD household is zoned to a local elementary, middle, and high school by neighborhood【73†L41-L47】.

**Performance Metrics:** Academic performance for LAUSD schools is reported through the California School Dashboard, which provides data on state indicators like test scores, English learner progress, graduation rates, etc., for every school. Performance varies widely – some schools significantly exceed state averages, while others face challenges. For example, LAUSD has seen improvements in graduation rates and reduced dropouts over the past decade【74†L227-L234】. Many schools have earned recognition: dozens of LAUSD magnet programs are ranked among the nation’s best, and several schools are designated as California Distinguished Schools【69†L1-L4】. (Each school’s Dashboard profile provides specific metrics for that school【56†L7-L14】, and notable achievements are mentioned in school highlights below.)

**School Types and Programs:** LAUSD’s schools include a mix of **traditional neighborhood schools** and various specialized school models:

- **Magnet schools/programs:** Schools or centers with specialized themes (STEM, arts, medical, etc.) open to students district‑wide via application. LAUSD has 330+ magnet programs; some are entire magnet schools, others are magnet centers within larger schools【6†L185-L190】. For example, *Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (SOCES)* is a span *magnet school* (grades 4–12) focusing on enriched studies and is the largest magnet in LAUSD【89†L1-L9】. Many magnets boast strong academics – e.g., *King/Drew Medical Magnet High* is a high‑performing medical‑themed high school in South LA【54†L80-L88】.

- **Dual‑Language/Bilingual programs:** LAUSD offers dual‑language immersion programs in **7 languages** (Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Armenian, French, Arabic, Japanese) at dozens of schools【95†L22-L25】. In these programs, students learn curriculum in English and the target language. For example, *Third Street Elementary (Hancock Park)* offers a Korean dual‑language immersion【95†L27-L34】, and *Grand View Blvd Elementary (Mar Vista)* offers Spanish immersion【95†L37-L44】.

- **Pilot schools and academies:** LAUSD also has **pilot schools**, which are small, innovative public schools with internal autonomies (curriculum, scheduling, staffing) to improve outcomes. Many pilot schools were created to relieve overcrowding or serve specific needs. For instance, the *Esteban E. Torres High School Campus* in East LA houses several pilot schools focused on arts, technology, social justice, etc. Similarly, *Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts* (Downtown) is a specialty arts high school with pilot‑like governance.

- **Affiliated charter schools:** These are LAUSD‑operated schools that converted to charter status but remain under district oversight (unlike independent charters). They have some flexibility in curriculum and governance while their staff are LAUSD employees【18†L9-L17】. LAUSD has about **53 affiliated charter schools** (e.g., 3 high schools, 5 middle schools, and numerous elementary schools)【45†L1-L4】【45†L31-L35】. Examples include *University High School Charter* (West Los Angeles), *Grover Cleveland Charter High* (Reseda), *Chatsworth Charter High*, *George Ellery Hale Charter Academy* (Woodland Hills), *Alfred B. Nobel Charter Middle* (Northridge), and elementary schools like *Topeka Charter School for Advanced Studies* (Tarzana)【61†L2095-L2103】【43†L147-L155】【61†L2037-L2045】.

- **Other LAUSD‑operated schools:** The district also runs **special education centers**, **continuation high schools**, **community day schools**, **adult education centers**, and **early education centers**.

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## Elementary Schools (LAUSD)

LAUSD operates **hundreds of elementary schools** serving grades **TK/Kindergarten through 5th** (and some through 6th) across the city. Neighborhood schools form the backbone of the district—each serving students in its attendance boundary, though many also host choice programs like magnets or dual‑language. (A few span schools combine elementary and middle grades; those are discussed later.)

**Academic Focus:** All elementary schools follow California state standards, and many offer special programs. Dozens host *Dual‑Language Immersion* programs (Spanish being the most common, but also Korean, Mandarin, Armenian, etc.)【95†L22-L30】. Many have *School for Advanced Studies (SAS)* programs to challenge gifted learners, and some have magnet centers (for example, **Brentwood Science Magnet** is an elementary magnet).

**Notable Elementary Programs:** LAUSD elementary magnets include themes such as science, technology, environmental studies, performing arts, and more. For example, *Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet Elementary* (Northridge) is a highly regarded gifted magnet and a 2023 California Distinguished School【69†L1-L4】. Neighborhood schools like *Canyon Charter Elementary* (Pacific Palisades) and *Castle Heights Elementary* (Castle Heights) have strong academic reputations and active parent involvement. Many schools, such as *Richland Avenue Elementary* (West LA) and *Broadway Elementary* (Venice), offer Mandarin and Spanish immersion respectively.

**Enrollment:** Elementary enrollments vary widely—from <200 students to >1,100 students【93†L1-L3】. Average class size in early grades hovers around 24.

**Performance:** Elementary performance is measured by state test proficiency in English Language Arts and Math. Many elementaries are making steady progress. Examples: *Lanai Road Elementary* (Encino) and *Warner Avenue Elementary* (Westwood) post proficiency rates far above the district average. Several LAUSD elementaries have earned **California Distinguished School** status (e.g., Balboa Magnet, Canyon Charter, Nestle Avenue Charter)【69†L1-L4】.

**Sample of Elementary Schools**

| School | Level | Area | Enrollment | Programs/Highlights | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Charter ES | K‑5 | Pacific Palisades | ~380 | STEM, 1894 historic school | Affiliated Charter |
| Balboa Gifted/H.A. Magnet | 1‑5 | Northridge | ~800 | Gifted Magnet; Distinguished School | Magnet |
| Topeka Charter School | K‑5 | Tarzana | ~600 | Advanced Studies; technology lab | Affiliated Charter |
| Broadway ES | K‑6 | Venice | ~530 | Mandarin Dual‑Language | Traditional |
| 93rd Street ES | K‑5 | Watts | ~700 | STEAM curriculum | Traditional |
| Third Street ES | K‑5 | Hancock Park | ~700 | Korean Dual‑Language | Traditional |

*(Table shows diversity of LAUSD elementary offerings.)*

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## Middle Schools (LAUSD)

LAUSD has **~75 middle schools** serving grades 6–8 (some span 5‑8 or 6‑12). Middle campuses are larger (often 1,000–2,000 students) and provide broader electives and extracurriculars.

**Highlights & Programs**

- **George Ellery Hale Charter Academy** (Woodland Hills) – Affiliated charter enrolling ~1,850; extensive electives, STEM labs.
- **Alfred B. Nobel Charter MS** (Northridge) – Affiliated charter, ~1,200; STEM and Humanities magnets.
- **Thomas Starr King MS** (Los Feliz) – Three magnets: Film/Media, STEAM, Gifted Arts & Tech.
- **Portola Charter MS** (Tarzana) – Affiliated charter, Highly Gifted Magnet.
- **Young Oak Kim Academy** (K‑Town) – Social‑Justice STEAM pilot; Korean Dual‑Language strand.

Middle schools track ELA/Math proficiency, attendance, and suspension rates. Magnet and charter middle schools often outperform district averages; others are improving via AVID, MTSS, and community‑school supports.

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## High Schools (LAUSD)

LAUSD counts **≈90 high schools** (traditional, magnet, pilot, affiliated charter). Comprehensive high schools often enroll 1,000–3,000 students, while standalone magnets/pilots may be smaller.

**Representative High Schools & Programs**

| School | Area | Enrollment | Stand‑out Programs | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield HS | East LA | ~2,200 | Business & Technology Academy; AP Capstone | Traditional |
| Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet HS | Boyle Heights | ~1,200 | Medical/Health Sciences curriculum | Magnet |
| Grover Cleveland Charter HS | Reseda | ~3,100 | Humanities Magnet; Global Media | Affiliated Charter |
| University HS Charter | West LA | ~1,500 | Arabic Dual‑Language; Digital Media | Affiliated Charter |
| Downtown Magnets HS | DTLA | ~700 | Business, Fashion, E‑Arts magnets; 100 % grad | Magnet |
| SOCES (Sherman Oaks CES) | Tarzana | ~1,800 (4‑12) | Largest span magnet; college‑prep focus | Magnet Span |

**Outcomes:** LAUSD’s overall graduation rate tops 85 % and rising; magnets like Bravo, LACES, and Downtown Magnets routinely hit 95–100 %. A–G college‑ready completion has climbed steadily.

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## Combination “Span” Schools

- **K‑8:** Porter Ranch Community School, Harry Bridges Span School (Wilmington), Pio Pico K‑8, Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter.
- **6‑12 / K‑12:** SOCES (4‑12), LACES (6‑12), Foshay Learning Center (6‑12). These offer continuous schooling and typically post strong academic outcomes.

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## Sources

- California School Dashboard (performance metrics)
- LAUSD Fingertip Facts 2024 (enrollment & counts)
- LAUSD Magnet Office data (magnet programs & rankings)
- CA Dept. of Education School Directory (addresses & types)
- LAUSD news releases (Distinguished Schools, grad‑rate reports)