Community Magnet Charter Elementary School

As a parent of 3 students at this school, I can say that we have one of the best schools in LAUSD. We are so lucky to have a diverse student body and a wonderful staff of hard working and loving teachers. Every school has to fund raise - ours just works extra hard at it.
—Submitted by a parent

Community provides my child with opportunities that simply do not exist at other public elementary schools in Los Angeles. For my child to be able to attend a school where they are not only exposed to kids from different parts of the city, but from all different cultures, is amazing. And although LAUSD continues to cut back on funding -- most schools have lost librarians, P.E. Coaches, and art teachers -- Community has an enrichment block built into their schedule so that students get a daily dose of some "extra" taught by specialists: dance, drama, art, music, Spanish, computers/technology, P.E., and library. I'm not a test scores person, but if that is your thing, Community has that going for it as well. The campus is beautiful, and from the moment you walk in the front door, you are made to feel welcome. What more could you ask for?
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school has excellent things to offer: the diversity of students, the involvement of parents, the openness of the principal to parent ideas and input, the quailty of teachers and instruction, etc. I have met many wonderful parents and made great friends here. My son's teacher uses a smart board and laptop every day. Both my children went to this school and I feel blessed that they got to experience such an excellent learning environiment with children from all over the city and from various backgrounds-- a great way to learn respect and tolerance!
—Submitted by a parent

Its like the Emperors new clothes. We heard so many great things, yet the progams that we thought we would get ,such as band,drama and Spanish are just not good have been cut. Parents are expected to fund raise for teachers that they have little say about hiring. The Principal hires her friends and there is no review of these classes. Parents cant help with any of these things, they are seen as an ATM for the schools staff. The teaching in the class room is great, bit really no different from any LAUSd school at this point. Other than that there are laptops..but,wait, the teachers dont check them out to teach with. Dont think there is something extra. There just isnt. The only extra is an extra heap of homework designed to keep parents in line with task after task and an extra helping of guilt on the kids if one chooses to let a kid just play after school. Additionally with the long bus ride and lawless,but expensive afterschool program, trying to find after school classes to balance a childs interests becomes very hard. The parents are so spread out that no one knows each other. The principal makes it impossible for parents to get to know each other.
—Submitted by a parent

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.

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

The Principal loves the children and it has a great program for helping kids keep up with their education by CATCHing them.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is extremely diverse and represents the type of environment I want my child to experience. The principal, teachers and staff truly care about the kids and treat them as individuals and with respect. While they are a public school, parent involvement and fundraising helps us keep the type of curriculum you find only in private schools in the Los Angeles Area.
—Submitted by a parent

Simply the best staff, teachers and program. If every LAUSD was like CMCS, we would have the best for all students.
—Submitted by a parent

The dedication of the teaching staff, parents, princical AND students have made this little public school an award winner. With an API of 931 this year, I'm thrilled to have my daughter attending Community Magnet Charter School.
—Submitted by a parent

Response to comment made on March 9 re the suspicion of numerous rave reviews on the same day. I was also suspicious until I realized this site sends emails every time someone posts a review. I track several schools at all levels and I noticed this pattern on many of the school sites. Those that take the time to open the review and read it are often inspired to write one that same day. There is a reason this school has a '10' rating. In my opinion, it is not just the academic performance but the strength of the entire school community; teachers, parents, administrators and students, working together to overcome the difficult challenges public schools constantly face. Everything at this school isn't perfect, but that wouldn't be realistic. However, the vast majority of us that are fortunate to be a part of this school community understand how lucky we are.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a dream of a job. Our school has a commitment to art, and progressive instructional strategies. It has an understanding of collective achievement, and the importance of community. Our students are supported by loving, involved, and demanding parents. Our teachers, for the most part, are open to collaboration and the sharing of ideas so necessary for cutting-edge instruction. Across the board, each part of this whole goes above and beyond the call of duty, each with a commitment to education, students, and each other.
—Submitted by a teacher

It is a truly great school in every way: teachers, the campus, office staff,the principal, the kids, parent involvement, the curriculum etc.
—Submitted by a parent