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Frequently Asked Questions

After being the unofficial collective source for LAUSD school information for the last few years, I have decided the best use of our time was to create an FAQ for two reasons: to allow parents to find the answers to their most burning questions themselves and to allow us to avoid carpal tunnel by repeatedly typing out the same answers. Look here for your answers first, then email me if your question is not answered here.

Q. What's the difference between a gifted magnet and a school for advanced studies (SAS)?

Gifted Magnets may be either whole school (such as Balboa) or on a home school campus (most others).  Gifted magnets can be found by visiting  sfpc.lausd.k12.ca.us/GATE/progopt-4.html#ProgOptPg4MagProg.  Families apply to gifted magnets by filling out the "Choices" brochure that arrives in December before the January deadline.  Students are ranked by a variety of factors (as magnets are an integration program) and

Q. We just received this terrifying letter that states my son's school is Program Improvement, should we move him?

Here's a simplified response to what could be happening at some schools designated PI: http://lausdmagnetangel.com/2008/when-pi-school-isn039t-really-pi

Q. My child has a fall birthday, should I enroll him in kindergarten?

The state of California requires a child reach his or her birthday by December 2 in order to be enrolled.  Whether you should send them as a fall baby or make them wait another year has a lot of parents concerned.  Here's a story to give you some food for thought: http://lausdmagnetangel.com/2007/red-shirting-kindergarteners

Q. OK, can you explain the difference between a magnet, a charter, open enrollment, and my neighborhood school?

At its most simple level:

Neighborhood schools are the schools that by your specific address your children should be attending.  To find that school, visit search.lausd.k12.ca.us/cgi-bin/fccgi.exe?w3exec=schfinder0

Q: My child has to test super-gifted to get into a magnet school, right?

A: No. Children with the highest initial number of magnet points are those whose home LAUSD schools are overcrowded (4 points), PHBAO--Predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian or Other (4 points), or both (4 + 4 = 8 points). Once a child is in a magnet school, his/her sibling gains an extra 3 points. There are some Gifted magnets, but not for kindergarten. 

Q: I've heard that magnet schools require game playing and pre-planning from the womb. Is that true?

A:Families in the know start applying in early years to get wait list points.  Applying in grades 2, 3, and 4 and being rejected will accumulate the same 12 points (4 per year for three years) when applying in fifth grade that a matriculating magnet student will receive.

 

Q. What is the LAUSD's policy for Gifted children?

From GATE criteria, to SAS programs, you can find the information here:

 

http://sfpc.lausd.k12.ca.us/GATE/intro.html