2 best public schools in Los Angeles, California 2024

Los Angeles is one of the most popular educational cities for students due to its schools, colleges, and universities. Now the city ranks 31st among the best student cities for the education system in the world according to QA best student cities. Los Angeles has a variety of world-class schools for international and domestic students.

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is a public school district in Los Angeles, California, United States of America. It is the largest (by enrollment) public school system in California and the 2nd largest public school district in the United States.

Depending on the state, there are slight variations in the age at which children should start attending school, but all children between the ages of 6 and 16 are required to have a basic education, which begins with elementary education and ends with high school graduation.

Some parents prefer to send their children to preschools before they officially start school. All preschools are privately owned.

Stages of School Education:

1. Primary School Level (Ages 5-10)

2. Middle School Level (Ages 11-13)

3. High School Level (Ages 14-18)

In elementary schools, students are taught the basics of reading, writing, U.S. history, arithmetic, geography, crafts, civil rights, health, physical education, and natural sciences. In middle school, foreign languages are often introduced. As students progress to junior high and high school levels, the curriculum becomes more flexible, with both elective and mandatory subjects. English, mathematics, and natural sciences are mandatory subjects, and students are grouped according to their performance. Elective classes include foreign languages, choir and art, home economics, and orchestra. The national curriculum ensures that the general content of high school education largely adheres to the plan. However, the state retains the authority to set basic requirements for courses to complete high school: mathematics, English, physical education, foreign language, social studies, including geography, government, and history. When a student successfully completes the twelfth grade, they receive a high school diploma.

Public Schools: These government-funded educational institutions offer free education to students residing within the locality. Local taxes, as well as resources from the federal and state governments, are used to finance these schools, which are attended by approximately 85-90% of students. Children are assigned to schools based on their school districts, although other districts provide specialized (Magnet), international, and charter schools. While public schools are open to students of all educational levels, sometimes students are grouped into class sections: advanced courses, vocational classes, honors, and others. This is based on their achievements along with their goals, whether it be pursuing a bachelor's degree, entering the workforce, or attending local colleges.

Private Schools: These schools are privately owned and charge a certain fee. They cater to approximately 5-10% of students and are managed by an owner or private board.

There are 583 public schools in Los Angeles, accounting for more than half of all schools in the city.

Attractions of Los Angeles public schools:

Teachers: Most teachers are here because they genuinely care. They believe in children, approach education with enthusiasm, and aim to inspire the same passion in their students. They chose this profession not for the salary (or summer vacations) - most teachers became teachers because they felt a calling and a desire to change a child's life for the better.

School Staff: Effective teamwork is essential for a school to function well. Everyone plays a role in educating a child, and every adult on campus has one primary responsibility - to ensure the safety of each student. School staff includes supervisory aides, office technicians, library aides, school nurses, child care staff, and support staff.

Multinational and Multicultural Environment: Many Los Angeles schools have an extremely diverse population, both among students and staff, allowing children to be more tolerant. Children learn that not everyone speaks the same language, wears the same clothes, or eats the same food for lunch—and that's okay.

Life Lessons: Schools not only teach children an academic curriculum but also instill life lessons that may not have been learned at home.

Community: Public schools do their best to foster a sense of community. In a school environment, a child quickly learns the importance of teamwork and collaboration. The school requires collective efforts to be safe and clean - children learn through their own experience that everyone can make a difference.

Comprehensive Education: Despite budget cuts, public schools continue to recognize the need for education that goes beyond the norm. Public schools fundraise to provide children access to computers, school libraries, physical education programs, and the arts, as these extra programs are seen as important and beneficial additions.

Among Los Angeles public schools, there are also specialized ones:

Magnet Schools: These schools focus on specific areas, such as languages, STEM programs, visual and performing arts, and programs for exceptionally gifted children.

Schools for Advanced Studies (SAS): Parents who couldn't enroll their children in Gifted Magnet programs began creating autonomous similar programs at their local schools. SAS programs are, in essence, schools within schools, offered at more than 160 sites throughout the district at the elementary, middle, and senior high levels.

Charter Schools: Independent charters are public schools with rigorous and innovative academic plans based on standards approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the State of California.

One of the well-regarded public schools in Los Angeles is Providence High School.