| bor Day only a little over a week away, parents | | | | out for the summer, this becomes a bit more of |
| are busy gearing up for the beginning of another | | | | a challenge. It’s hard to watch teachers |
| school year. If you are moving into Los Angeles, | | | | interact with their students when the students |
| or even moving from one neighborhood to | | | | aren’t there. What you can do, however, |
| another, you might be finding the number of | | | | is to talk to the school principal or other |
| schools in the city more than a little overwhelming. | | | | administrator, about how the school is designed. |
| There are hundreds of public and private schools | | | | Most schools will also organize a tour for you. |
| for you to choose from. | | | | They may be some teachers setting up their |
| When considering schools in LA, your first | | | | classrooms that would be available for a quick |
| consideration should be location. Which schools are | | | | conversation as well. |
| most convenient to your new home? If you are | | | | There are several websites that offer |
| choosing to send your children to a home outside | | | | grades for Los Angeles area schools, and |
| of the immediate area, how far are you willing to | | | | these are great to look at, but their real value is |
| go for a better education? If you are still deciding | | | | in the parent reviews. One of the best sites for |
| on a neighborhood to move to, take the time to | | | | this is GreatSchools.net. Compare parent reviews, |
| compare | | | | but remember to take all of the comments with |
| The second consideration is the programs offered | | | | a grain of salt. A parent disappointed by a school |
| by the school. Are you looking for a specific | | | | is much more likely to leave a comment than a |
| teaching method, such as Montessori or a holistic | | | | satisfied parent. |
| approach, a private school, or are you interested | | | | If you have already moved into a new |
| in a public education for your children? Look to | | | | neighborhood, ask other parents what they think |
| see what programs the schools offer. Art, drama, | | | | of the school choices. They will be able to give |
| music, and sports programs differ from one | | | | you a much clearer view of the local options, and |
| school to the other. If your child wants to be the | | | | this can give you a great opportunity to get to |
| next Steven Spielberg or Venus Williams, | | | | know your new neighbors. |
| there’s a school for that. There are also | | | | Picking out the Los Angeles school your children |
| special college prep high schools. | | | | will be attending isn’t easy, especially if you |
| Once you have narrowed down your list of | | | | are new to the city. Take a few days to narrow |
| possible schools, the next step, normally, is to visit | | | | down some schools, go on some tours, and make |
| the school and see how it is run. With school being | | | | the best choice for your family. |