7 Best Tips For Navigating the School Systems In LA

Selling Real Estate is my career.  But when I'm not in the office, or at my open houses, I'm a Mom. And I work with many families who are looking to sell their home or buy a first home and move into an area where they think the schools will be best for their children. So naturally, the subject of buying a home close to a good school is a topic I work with a lot.  But frankly, it's not for me to answer that question. And the reason is, that what is a good school for one, may not be best for another.  So last week I hosted an event for parents in the Valley who wanted to learn more about the schools here in LA.  We have neighborhood schools, charter schools, magnet schools, public schools with magnet programs, and private schools.  And in LA, we aren't pushed into only having our local neighborhood schools to send our kids.  This is a great thing. But at the same time, it leaves our choices being confusing for most.  So here 7 of the best tips I learned from the speaker at my workshop Amy Walia-Fazio who is the director of P.E.L , Parent's Education League.

1. Don't assume your neighborhood school is not good or, at the other end, the best for you.  

Looking schools up online and going by a ranking of 1 to 10 is not the way to solely judge a school.  Call the school and schedule a tour.  Go to their website and read about what the school's mission statement is and see if that seems like it fits with what you want.
2. Make sure you have an idea of a few things that you think will be important for your child and keep them in mind when looking for a school.  
Does your son need a strict curriculum? Is your daughter a very shy and smart girl who needs someone to work a little extra with her? Do you want your kids to have a lot of diversity in their school?
3.  Just because private schools cost a lot of money doesn't automatically exclude you from keeping it as an option for your child. 
There are financial aid plans available and, from what I understand, you should really look into whether you can qualify for one rather than assume you might not qualify within the income range necessary.
4.  A magnet school can be a whole school or just a program (maybe a few classes) that are within a public school.  
Magnet schools, or programs, are more focused on a certain area such as math/science.  Here is a website where you can see more about Magnet Schools
5.  There are certain areas that may allow your child to attend a school based on your work location and not just your home address.
Check into whether that applies to you.
6.  A Charter school is a public school and requires a lot of the same things that a LAUSD school does but there may be more leniency as to how the teachers and school work to help their students reach their goals. 
7.  There is a method to the madness when it comes to the points, how you get them, who is eligible for more, and how they are used. 
While there are resources out there to help, Parents Education League is a non-profit one-stop-shop for learning all about our LAUSD school system.  I will continue to hold workshops that will be paid for by me but free to parents that are interested in learning about entering their children into the first few years of school here in LA.  If you are interested in attending one of these workshops, please email me directly and I will let you know when the next one I will be hosting will be.  You can also join P.E.L and attend any of their workshops or receive one-on-one consultation for your family's needs.  See their website for more information.