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Downtown Business High School

Public | 8-12 | 1050 students

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4 stars

Based on 12 ratings

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15 reviews of this school

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Posted May 12, 2011

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I have a son at this school, and I echo the reviews before mine. This school is stellar, and the amazing graduation + college attendance rate of its students is a testament to that. The recent budget cuts have not been kind to the school's extra-curriculars + sports, but the focus on academics is unwavering. The commitment from the teachers + administration is like no other, and there is simply no comparison to the neighboring schools (Roybal, Belmont, etc). The school draws students from all over LA, so only the best + most motivated attend. As another poster said, it's cool to be smart here, and that's a welcoming environment.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted October 12, 2010

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It is a great place for students. I have taught here for 10 years and love it more than any other school I know. The students are safe and learning a lot and going to college at record rates. It is a great place.
—Submitted by a teacher

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Posted October 11, 2010

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Because it's a safe place where it's cool to be smart, and everybody wants to go to college.

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Posted October 10, 2010

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I'm a teacher at this school, and I have so much faith in its teachers that I'd be willing to send my own children here.
—Submitted by a teacher

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Posted October 9, 2010

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Downtown Business High isn't like any other school. It provides diversity, unity, and a 1 to 1 on student-teacher ratio. Students are bussed in from different parts of the city, and yet these student treat each other equally. Downtown Business High lacks many necessary materials but it does not lack student involvement. Students help each other out, they are each others' support. Downtown Business High may be small in numbers but it is big in community, intelligence, and equality.

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Posted October 9, 2010

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It's a school that pays attention to the students - not just the curriculum! They know hw to help students master the subject matter!

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Posted October 9, 2010

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It provides a rich, intellectually engaging and challenging curriculum in a nurturing and caring environment.

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Posted October 9, 2010

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Great teaching and staff. Small classes so teachers pay attention to students

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Posted April 27, 2010

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this scholl is amazing, it offers many classes in short on sports though.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted October 3, 2009

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It is an amazingly open, engaging, accepting atnosphere with staff that are concerned and caring of students. The students live all over the Los angeles area. It is one of the most racially diverse, peaceful, joyful campuses I've experienced. The counseling staff, in particular is fantastic. The numbers of graduates that receive scholarships and attend college is very high. The creativity and acceptance of every students' individuality is extraordinary.

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Posted December 12, 2008

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As an alumnus I also agreet that this school is excellent. Not only do I feel very well-prepared for college, but the close-bonds that I formed with my teachers, counselors, and administrators are perhaps the best out of all the DMHS has to offer. Since the school is so small, you really have an opportunity to get to know everyone and therefore attain an incredible support system. I am proud to say that I went to DMHS, and that the school, with it's new principal, is only getting better.

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Posted November 1, 2008

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DBM really is a good school not only its a magnet but the school also gives a lot of oppurtunity to be in a good univeristy and they also offer a lot of advance class for college that can help you for the future. And they also have a lot of great teachers that can help you through your problems at school.
—Submitted by a student

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Posted May 23, 2008

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As the College Counselor at DMHS, I am happily surprised year after year at the quality and determination of our students. They just get better year after year. Even though most students are the first in their family to go to college, they are determined to make it, and my job is just to direct them to a school where they can be happy and successful. I can't imagine a better place to work. I plan on staying for a long long time.

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Posted October 5, 2007

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DBM is the kind of school that offers a wealth of opportunity to the individual that is ready to take advantage of it. The school is broken down into three different magnets, the Business Magnet, Electronics Information Magnet, and the Fashion Career Magnet. Each magnet offers specialized instruction from teachers that have a wealth of experience and understand the needs of teenagers. As an alumnus who has recently graduated with an MBA, I feel that that DBM prepared me for undergraduate and graduate school. My fianc , who is also a DBM graduate, shares my sentiments.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted October 26, 2006

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Well I am very happy that I am attending this school because I a, exposed to a lot of diversity because, unlike other schools, this school has a lot more variety when it come to the different ethnicities of the students. The cunselors are also very helpuful when it comes to college because they guide each student step-by-step to help them get into college!
—Submitted by a student

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Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »

	Ethnicity	This school	State average
	Hispanic or Latino	71%	49%
African American	10%	7%
Asian	10%	8%
Filipino	8%	3%
White	2%	28%
Multiple or No Response	1%	3%
American Indian or Alaska Native	0%	1%
Pacific Islander	0%	1%

	This school	District average	State average
English language learners ¹	10%	N/A	24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program ²	71%	N/A	52%

	Language	This school	State average
	Spanish	89%	85%
Khmer (Cambodian)	4%	0%
Chaozhou (Chiuchow)	3%	0%
Cantonese	2%	2%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog)	1%	1%
Ilocano	1%	0%
Vietnamese	1%	2%

	This school	District average	State average
Average years teaching in district	10	N/A	11
Average years teaching	11	N/A	13

	This school	District average	State average
Full credential	96%	N/A	96%
Emergency credential or waiver	0%	N/A	2%

Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

Get directions »

1081 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Website: Click here
Phone: (213) 481-0371

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All Students	n/a
Females	n/a
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	n/a
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	n/a
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	n/a
Females	n/a
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	n/a
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	n/a
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	n/a
Females	n/a
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	n/a
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	n/a
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	n/a
Females	n/a
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with no reported disability	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	n/a
Females	n/a
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	n/a
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	n/a
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	27%
Females	24%
Males	29%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	23%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	27%
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	28%
English learner	17%
Fluent-English proficient and English only	28%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	55%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	23%
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	30%

All Students	62%
Females	52%
Males	72%
African American	n/a
Asian	85%
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	52%
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	62%
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	61%
English learner	92%
Fluent-English proficient and English only	59%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	76%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	45%
Parent education - high school graduate	59%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	67%

All Students	60%
Females	61%
Males	60%
African American	32%
Asian	75%
Filipino	67%
Hispanic or Latino	57%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Native Hawaiian	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	60%
Non-economically disadvantaged	63%
Students with disability	31%
Students with no reported disability	62%
English learner	22%
Fluent-English proficient and English only	65%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	95%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	55%
Parent education - high school graduate	64%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	74%
Parent education - college graduate	58%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	60%

All Students	38%
Females	38%
Males	39%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	41%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	39%
Non-economically disadvantaged	36%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	38%
English learner	8%
Fluent-English proficient and English only	43%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	43%
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	38%

All Students	12%
Females	0%
Males	24%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	11%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	11%
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	13%
English learner	0%
Fluent-English proficient and English only	14%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	7%
Parent education - high school graduate	27%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	10%

All Students	16%
Females	8%
Males	22%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	14%
Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	13%
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	16%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	19%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	11%
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	16%

All Students	18%
Females	15%
Males	20%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	22%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	17%
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	19%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	25%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	54%
Females	49%
Males	60%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	47%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	52%
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	55%
English learner	15%
Fluent-English proficient and English only	63%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	57%
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	45%

All Students	71%
Females	73%
Males	68%
African American	n/a
Asian	87%
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	68%
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with no reported disability	71%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	69%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	68%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	91%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	77%

All Students	94%
Females	n/a
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	100%
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	94%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	94%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	90%
Females	92%
Males	89%
African American	84%
Asian	92%
Filipino	100%
Hispanic or Latino	89%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Declined to state	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	90%
Non-economically disadvantaged	93%
Economic Status Unknown	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Tested with modifications	n/a
English learner	59%
Language Fluency Unknown	n/a
Migrant education	n/a

Foreign languages spoken by school staff	Chinese (Cantonese) French German Korean Chinese (Mandarin) Spanish Tagalog
Read more about programs at this school

Foreign languages taught	Chinese (Mandarin) French Spanish
Foreign languages spoken by staff	Chinese (Cantonese) Chinese (Mandarin) French German Korean Spanish Tagalog

Instructional and/or curriculum models used	Accelerated credit learning Gifted / high performing Honors track
College preparation / awareness resources offered	College prep programs/courses during the year College presentations or information sessions Community college courses School-sponsored trips to college campuses Visiting teachers or lecturers from colleges

School Leader's name	Brandon Cohen
Best ways for parents to contact the school	Email
Is there an application process?	Yes
Fax number	(213) 482-0792

Instructional and/or curriculum models used Don't understand these terms?	Accelerated credit learning Gifted / high performing Honors track Virtual school
Specific academic themes or areas of focus Don't understand these terms?	Business Science Technology
Foreign languages taught	Chinese (Mandarin) French Spanish

Foreign languages spoken by staff	Chinese (Cantonese) Chinese (Mandarin) French German Korean Spanish Tagalog
Extra learning resources offered	Career/college counseling
College preparation / awareness resources offered	College prep programs/courses during the year College presentations or information sessions Community college courses School-sponsored trips to college campuses Visiting teachers or lecturers from colleges
School facilities	Cafeteria Computer Library

Boys sports	Basketball Cross country Soccer Tennis Track
Girls sports	Basketball Cross country Softball Track

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4 stars

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15 reviews of this school

807

+23

7 / 10

7 / 10

API Growth scores over time

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807

What is the API?

+23

Change from 2011 to 2012

7 / 10

API Statewide Rank (2011)

7 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

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High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11)

Physics

U.S. History

World History

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Algebra I

English Language Arts

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

Geometry

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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Earth Science

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