Point Fermin Elementary School

With its new marine-science magnet program, small community, historic building, and active parents, Point Fermin is a hidden gem in LAUSD. Our son is in his second year here, after good and bad experiences in other grade schools in LA and Miami. He's had two excellent teachers. They go on frequent field trips and bring in interesting arts and other community activities. As a newcomer, he was welcomed enough to be elected to student council. He particularly loves the Native American Club, which helps him get in touch with his heritage. This is a small school; the parents play a big role in making it what it is. They have worked out the parking issues. There are leadership issues, but that means the good parents and teachers get to step in and run this beautiful facility.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been so pleased with this school and have had children attending for over four years. My children learn so much marine biology and we walk to the local aquarium on a regular basis. In addition, the teachers are fantastic and caring. If we ever have a concern, it is handled quickly and professionally by the staff and teachers. My children have excelled on state testing and have learned so much.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great little school. If you are a parent that is looking to not participate or complain because there is no parking lot I encourage you to look elsewhere. Valet programs take volunteers and parents who care. We are a group of parents who care and spend our time making a difference to the children at the school. We don't mind walking one block to get into the school. As we have become a magnet we have more working parents that still manage to be active in our children's education. The days of screeching in front of school and throwing your child out and never helping out at the school are over in most all schools. If you are that type of parent, this is not the school for you. What other school walks to the aquarium, the beach, and Marine Mammal Center on a regular basis. There are many activities at this school and we are very happy here.
--Submitted by a parent

The Principal and teachers are dedicated to providing a healthy and creative learning environment.
--Submitted by a parent

I highly recommend looking at other schools in San Pedro, . the principal should be replaced for a new one, poor PTO,, not enough activities, terrible parking, that causes arguments among some parents,, there are better shools in San Pedro for sure
--Submitted by a parent

This is my sons first year and he LOVES IT! He loves his teacher . I live in Lomita and got my son into their Magnet Program, at first he was not happy going on the bus at 7:00 and coming home at 4:00 but after his first week I asked him if he still wanted to go back to his old school which was 5 min. away from my house and he said NO WAY MOM. He enjoys learning about Marine Science he enjoys their field trips ,he got to open up a fish and he just loves it, his teacher is a adimit scuba diver which he thinks is just the coolest thing ever ., so I am so happy for him and feel privileged to have been accepted so that my son could benefit from this schools programs.
--Submitted by a parent

Great neighborhood school with fantastic local resources like the aquarium. I don't understand why parents complain about parking. We should teach our kids to walk, bike, scooter to school with supervision. It's healthy for their minds and bodies and easier on the environment. Organizing Parent-volunteers to supervise, curbside, drop-off and pick-up would also be helpful (Hey, be part of the solution). A Safe Routes to Schools program here between the City of San Pedro and Parents could really help kick this off.
--Submitted by a parent

Point Fermin El. is a really good school. It has the best teachers , principal and school libarian. The grades are k -5 . They always have a nutritious and delicious meal .They have dance classes . theater , drama and more.
--Submitted by a parent

We live in the neighborhood and love this small school. My child is thriving and learning so much. There are so many extra activities including yoga, art, drama and dance. His teacher is amazing, caring yet firm. As far as not having a parking lot, I walk and on the many days I drive I have never parked more then a block away. My only disappointment is the other parents at the school. There are a handful that do everything and some that can not because of work. Many chose to do nothing. The few that help, like me, work and have other small children. It is because of the lack of parent help that there isn't a drop off system in place. The leadership is great, but hopefully with the school becoming a magnet, some of the parents that do nothing but complain will go somewhere else.
--Submitted by a parent

I would highly recommend looking at other schools with more resources and better administration than Point Fermin. The school definitely has a small school atmosphere-one that is hopelessly adrift on the high seas of misguided LA-Unified District policy. My child is in a split-grade class. The teacher has two separate curriculum to teach, with the results being 2 hours of independent study daily for the older kids in the class. Some other notable facts about Point Fermin: there are no PE classes; no parking or drop off plans in effect - the teachers union prevents them from assisting with bringing the children in safely; you can also expect to receive a load of hastily conceived fliers and announcements for meetings, often taking place during the next business day. Hopefully when the science magnet starts next year, it will have a different director than the current principal, someone who is capable...
--Submitted by a parent