Community Magnet Charter Elementary School

So far, so good! Our family feels very fortunate to have won the lottery and gotten into this very special school. The teachers and staff are filled with passion and are invested in the students. The grounds are out of this world! Spanish, PE, drama, art, computers, music are a part of the weekly curriculum. Like all public schools there is a gap between what is state funded and what is community funded. The fundraising element seems wholly balanced for realities of budgets issues. The fact that every class has its own dedicated TA is almost unheard of in this day and age. As far as feeling a sense of community, you get what you give. When you invest your time and reach out you are met with like mined, driven teachers, staff and parents.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is FANTASTIC! We have 2 daughters there and they are thriving!!!! It is the most diverse and amazing place in LA
--Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Community and what a FABULOUS school it is. There is so much parental involvement, dedicated teachers/principal, full day teacher aides in every class, new iPads for the computer room for all kids to use, PE, Art and Music teacher and a Spanish teacher. Plus a CATCH program to identify and help any child falling behind. Pam is a wonderful prinicpal who is accessible, knows all kids and works hard to make this school great. The families are amazing and work hard by volunteering and organizing fundraisers to raise money to have all the fabulous programs and aids which make this school great. We are so lucky to have been accepted. I am already rolling up my sleeves to get involved and help out in class and at school. I'm doing my part and making friends along the way. The older parents at the school have greeted my family warmly and we are excited to be here.
--Submitted by a parent

Community Magnet is such a special school. My husband and I honestly feel like it is a public school that is run like any of the great private schools in Los Angeles. The students get tons of enrichment classes, the Principal and staff are so devoted, the test scores as good as they come and the campus is a probably one of the most beautiful in the city. We feel so lucky to have gotten our 2 children in!
--Submitted by a parent

we were very disapointed with this school. there was no feeling of "community" at this school. we were treated like an outsider - my child was very unhappy.
--Submitted by a parent

My child was extremely fortunate to "win the lottery" and enter this school in midway through elementary school. LAUSD would be the envy of California education if all schools were like CMCS. The administration and teachers are dedicated, enthusiastic and committed to excellence at this school and educating the whole child....including art, drama, Spanish, PE, science and inquiry labs, computers and more. There is no greater cheerleader and tireless fundraiser than the principal, Pam Marton, who has helped shepherd the parent community to raising well over $250,000 annually to support CMCS's programs. My only small complaints are that the kids here are a bit wild and undisciplined, owing to the progressive nature of the school. Some tradition would encourage respect/discipline....like addressing teachers by "Mr." or "Ms." instead of being on a 1st name basis. I also think the kids here are a bit too "nurtured", and often find the 1st year of middle school a rude shock. But overall CMCS is a diamond in the chaff of LAUSD, with genuine ethnic diversity, respect for other cultures and wonderful parent involvement.
--Submitted by a parent

I <3 it!!!!!! This school is so involved in a student's life, that the teachers and staff become your family. I think it's great that the teachers and students are on a first-name basis.

our kids where at another "great " charter school. But , at CMCS, they are actually learning how to read, do math and be responsible for themselves. There is fund raising at every school due to budget cuts, At CMCS, parents have the final word on how the money is spent and it goes for programs, not rent and expansion like the last school. with teachers having 18plus years, this school runs very smooth, we are so grateful for progress reports and weekly cards. Happy our kids have homework and that they have to pace themselves for projects due....just like real life,right?
--Submitted by a parent

I will write another review as the year progresses, however being only 6 weeks into the school year I am not impressed. The school only seems to be interested in how much money families will donate. Almost every flyer home seems to ask for donations. Whether it is for various programs or teachers gifts I feel bombarded. I want to see my child learn and develop. Once I see the school benefiting my child then I will be happy to lend financial support. The majority of almost every bulletin is about money and not education. I get the non-profit part but it is only October.
--Submitted by a parent

I love the parent group there - they are all so committed to getting their children the best education possible. We all come from far and wide in the city of Los Angeles
--Submitted by a parent