[Student Reporters]Why LACES is the Best School in the LAUSD
Hyerin Lee /9th, LACES
- Any opening statements statistics background or other information you would like share about LACES?
▷ There are about 1600 students at LACES. This is not a gifted magnet but a very successful magnet school. The purpose of a magnet school really is to provide excellent education to a diverse group of students. In terms of ethnicity we have a very diverse population. We have 30% white students and 70% minority students (25% Asian students 24% Hispanic students 20% African American students and maybe 1% other). In terms of our school being middle and high school we are fully accredited through western associations of schools and colleges. Our school is one of the top schools in the nation. Our API has been improving every year. We are really proud that every student at LACES is college-bound.
- In the LAUSD there are many high schools but LACES is apparently most favored by Korean parents. Why do you think this is so?
▷ I think it's because academic achievement is a very important matter among Korean parents. In my understanding the number one factor that brings people from Korea is better education. So schools that have high achievement and a good track record with students that go to top tier universities would be attractive to them. Also we are known to be very safe. I think safety academic achievement and the geographical location are the important aspects.
▷ Here we have about 100 clubs created by students from Cheese Tasting Club to more academic clubs. Clubs allow our students to be creative and able to express themselves. Also we have an open door policy for AP classes. Anyone who is committed to doing a great amount of work can complete the summer assignment and enroll in an AP class. What I also love is that we have a mentoring system between high school and middle school students. Successful high school students are paired up with middle school students and they provide counseling and academic support. We also have diverse parent groups such as the BPO (Black Parent Organization) KPO (Korean Parent Organization) and LPO (Latino Parent Organization). Parents get together and provide support for the students and the school.
- Other schools in the LAUSD are either highly-gifted magnet or gifted magnet while LACES is just a magnet school. Yet all the scores for this school are high. What do you think the reason is?
▷ We can look at so many different factors but I think motivation is the key.
Parents are motivated to help; they're involved. And naturally our faculty and staff members feel very close to the students and parents because they're so committed to achieve high. We also have great teaching staffs. Our program is a block schedule resembling a college schedule. I think from the very beginning we teach our students great study skills. We give them high expectations and a lot of choices in terms of success.
- Are there any last comments that you'd like to say to the students and the parents?
▷ I think we are on the right track in terms of going for the academic achievement. And I think when selecting schools it's always good to look for compatibility. There is no best school but there is the best school for my child. I really think it's important for the parents to know their children's specific educational needs. Instead of just hearing from other people's comments about schools it's always wonderful to visit the school and get a feel for what the school is like and find out what the most compatible school might be for their children. And for students it's really important to have an educational plan which does not end at what college I want to go to. What kind of profession? If you're not sure about that it's always good to explore different areas instead of saying that is one school I'm going to go into. It's also important to learn proper social skills to learn how to become a contributing member of the society and to work with everyone.