Seeking a Good SAFE Highschool

S.,

I live in Gardena too.. My daugher is 14 and she goes to Angels Gate in San Pedro. San Pedro schools are good schools, so are Torrance schools. I hope that helps. Good Luck.. I wouldn't send my kids to school in Gardena, I went to high school there and it was bad in 1987....

Hi, S.,

I started teaching math (in LAUSD) 15 years ago. Some of the magnet schools, Narbonne Math/Science, Bravo Medical, and King/Drew Medical and Science Magnet, are safe schools with very good faculties. In my experience, students at Narbonne and Bravo have been nice. Some of my colleagues like Banning Magnet, too. They say that it is a safe, well-run school.

Good luck,
Lynne

My daughter attends Port of Los Angeles High School in San Pedro. It is a charter school that has been open 3 years, it is on the block schedule and the curriculum seems to work well for my daughter who has some learning issues. There is current construction directly across from the building for the Port of Los Angeles Police. But as always, it's a high school with kids who are in their drama stage. My only concern is the limited social activities or club activities the school currently provides. I've only encountered one serious matter that was addressed immediately by the principal and the teacher in question. The school does not have busing, so you would have to drop off and pick up your child. I drop off my daughter and she takes the bus home. The school ranked just below PV schools in the CAHSEE exam last year and beat several of the Torrance High Schools. Not bad for a school that had only been open two years. Your other option would be the Magnet Math and Science high school that is held at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Don't know much about that one, but it was ranked among one of the top 100 schools across the nation. Good luck.

It looks like you have tons of great suggestions already. I can add that you can look at www.myschool.org and www.greatschools.net. I have teaching experience in LAUSD and am very familiar with how the CHOICES (point system to get into magnets) works. I currently work in a college prepatory charter school. If you want to talk by phone, just PM me. Best of luck on your search, there's not much time left. Some charters begin their lottery in March.

We live in El Segundo and there are a lot of kids that attend ES Middle School and High School from the surrounding areas. The children attend on permits and have to keep their Grade Point Averages up and stay out of trouble. This is a small town where the kids walk home from school (even elementary) and everyone knows each other. There are drugs and alcohol around, but my kids have been able to avoid them (I have 4, two have graduated from the high school and one is a junior this year). The school system is pretty good, our scores fall behind Mira Costa and the Palos Verdes schools, but are usually above the other Bay City High Schools. El Segundo High School has about 1500 students so it is small. Many of my junior's friends live in Westchester and Hawthorne. One of her friends who has graduated lives in Gardena.

I know it's hard to find good schools with the generation of kids we have now. I was in your boat also and I have 3 kids. I would suggest Torrance Unified School District or Redondo Beach Unified School District. Both are good school districts and I have several nephews that were in the LAUSD that eventually were put in the TUS and that atmosphere helped calm them down. They all graduated from high school. The only catch is you should start now trying to get a permit because if you wait until September, it's not going to be possible and you will have to wait until the next year. The other alternative would be private school. You mentioned that you were Christians, so maybe you might ask your church or your pastor if they could recommend a Christian School for your daughter, it might cost money, but I'm sure you'll be a little more at ease then the LAUSD. I hope that helps and while you're looking, of course PRAY and ask God for guidance and help!

i can suggest Frederick K.C. Price III School which is attached to the Crenshaw Christian Center. 7901 S. Vermont in Los Angeles. you can reach the main office by calling ###-###-####. if you have any other questions, please message me privately.

Hi S.,

Try www.caliva.org (California Virtual Academy) They are a K-12 Charter program through LAUSD for homeschoolers. It is awesome! We received a free computer, all our textbooks and all our music and art supplies for no charge.

Just a thought :) Have a fantastic day!

Erin

Hi S.,

I have 2 Daughter's (ages 17 and 12). My girls currently attend a Charter School in South L.A. ( not sure if you would be interested in making the commute from Gardena)but the school is called the Accelerated School(TAS)grades K-12, I have had them in the school for 2 years unlike many LAUSD schools, it has minimal issues (fighting,gang violence is not tolerated).it's safe AND clean,their curriculum is similar to a private school /most of the funding comes from private donors, although they are apart of LAUSD they are structured to provide education on a different level. What I really like most about the school is the parent involvement (the parents) has to sign a contract with the school to ensure you are apart of every aspect of your child's education, there is a Monthly parent meeting you MUST attend and parent volunteer hours (30hrs for the semester per child)-It is sometimes difficult to complete the hrs as we are 2 working parents, but they work with you. My 17 year old attends the High School that's located on the campus of TAS called The Wallis/Annenberg High School. You may get further information about the school by going to WWW.Accelerated.org

Okay I can plug my daughters' family of schools. They offer GREAT academics, awsome extracurricular activities AND they have had numerous television specials about them. The good part, they WILL have enrollment space, and close to where you live I live 1 block from Gardena and my children attend k and 3rd grade there and we have the option to attend school in Torrance but unless something drastic changes they will be with http://www.icefla.org/

Hi, I can recommend to you POLAHS (Port of L.A. High Schoolhttp:/www.polahs.net/) in San Pedro,CA, this is a charter high school, small community, teachers are all credentialed and the administrators are very supportive. I am currently sending my son there (9th grader) and I am fully satisfied.

S.:

Look up ICEF (Inner City Educational Fund). My son attends one of the middle schools. This is an excellent resource for you and the perfect place to begin your search. Start with this and we'll talk. Do not be discouraged by waiting lists.

xoxoxox
Tamara

I am very familiar with the charter school system.

Hi Shelly
Torrance High School is one of the safest with great teachers that I know of. My neighbor has a permit to get her daughter in there. You have to begin getting a permit for next school year right away so that you get into the school you want. The different school districts only allow a certain number of permit students into each school. God Bless You.D. Hadley

Hi, S., First question to contemplate: Have you gone to Gardena High and talked to any of the guidance counselors? Second: Where will her friends attend? Third: Is she in public or private school now? Fourth: Would you consider homeschool with a group of like minded families? I know there are quite a few in the South Bay area. Fifth: what about a private high school? Do you have the financial resources to send her to one? There are many Catholic, Christian and private like New Roads in Culver City, Crossroads in the same area, Vista del Mar in El Segundo (southeast corner of commercial complex near Rosecrans and Aviation Blvd. accross from Manhattan Beach).If you are interested you can tour any school, you only need to call and set up a tour. If you would like to contact me I can put you in contact with many people who have their children in homeschools and private schools. If you are near the 91 frwy you could even try schools to the east in Long Beach or Lakewood or in those areas but no matter where you go if you have a problem with a safe environment for your daughter you must ask the questions of the school's administration that are important to you. M. S. mother of 4 grown children, grandmother of three-one who goes to Redondo High.

I have a girl friend who's daughter go's to Norbond High School over in Torrnace. She Say's its pretty good.Also try the school's in the Torrance Dist I hear they are good schools not sure if the are Charter schools.My need a permit.
Good Luck.

Hi S.;

Please go to Torrance Unified School District and apply for inter-district permit. They're open right now. All Torrance Unified School District is best. If you wanted the best one is West and South High School. These two schools have some activities for motivative students. The rules is, your daughter has to maintain level of grades in order to stay in this school. I have four of my children went to this school and I am volunteer mom also when they're growing up because I am stay home mom. Sometimes we have to sacrifice in order give and protect our children when they're start going to school. Also there is Private School here called Bishop Montgomery HS, St. Lawrence Martyr School,St. Catherine Labourne School in Praire and Artesia Blvd., Also there is one private and christian school which is Lutheran School, this private school in Del Amo Blvd., and before Anza Avenue in West Torrance also accepting the age level of your daughter. So if you wanted to invest more on your children, is it worth to invest on them. Good luck.

A.

I ran into something VERY similar, as I have a 10 yr old and was attending a half decent elementary but had not choices for middle and H.S. so I picked up and moved to El Segundo and I kick myself in the year for NOT doing it sooner.
I have made sacrifices in my life including my career but it is all coming to a complete circle which we are now in an even better place than we had been for the last 5yrs!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the fact my son can walk, bike or scooter to school and knowing the neighbors are looking out for one another!
I am a Midwest transplant and this area is giving my son a the ability to be a child as I had.
Best of luck to you and your choices you make in life!
God Bless!
~~m

Only one other member mentioned a school affiliated with a religious organization. Have you checked out any local private schools connected to a church that might give you a break on tuition in case you cannot afford full tuition? If you are a stay at home mother then you can also home school. My sister-in-law has done that for her son since second grade and he is now almost 16. He is WAY ahead of other high school kids. She keeps him growing socially with Boy Scouts, church teen activities, dance, sports, and music lessons. He also has two younger sisters that have NEVER been in public schools and they are also so far ahead that they are probably two years ahead of their age appropriate grades. There are many organizations that can help you with creating a proper home school curriculum. It does require some self-discipline. Good luck.

Hi S.,

I too live in Gardena and my boys attend Torrance Unified School District, all on permits. I have one in Elementary, Middle and my oldest attends Torrance High. I had the same fear about my oldest attending Gardena High as well. You should definately try to get them on a permit. When your five year old starts school you should try to get her on a permit as well as the district sometimes tends to keep their kids throughout their school years. Also try getting her into either Torrance, West or South High School. Since majority of all permits received request North High because of the vicinity (near Gardena)you may have a better chance getting accepted. Good luck!

Hi,
I have had one son graduate and now I have a Jr and Freshman in HS. They attend Mayfair High in Lakewood. It may not be the best but I have been satisfied with them so far. You could try there or Lakewood High.
T. W

Hi Shelly,

My daughter is graduating this year also. If her grades are good, you can apply to other high schools for a permit. Mira Costa and Redondo Union both accept students from out of the area with good grades.

There is a charter called Hawthorne Math and Science. I've heard good things about. My daughter has applied to Vistamar here in Hawthorne. It is very expensive but they offer scholarships. We are hoping she will get a scholarship. Otherwise, she will apply to Mira Costa. Good luck.

Irene

I agree with those who have suggested Torrance schools. They are nearby and have a much better safety record than Gardena High. Also, this coming year should be relatively easier to get a permit in Torrance due to the projected state budget cuts. The district doesn't want to lose teachers and one basic necessity is to keep the enrollment steady. In general, this is a very good time to enroll in Torrance schools! Good luck to you and your daughter. I hope you find the right fit for both of you!