Searching for a private elementary school in LA (Pasadena, Lakewood: house, neighborhoods)

[unbrand]

Hi,

I am moving to LA this summer from Colorado. I have 10-year-old son who will become a 5th grader next September. We were wondering if there was any good private elementary school in LA. He's been enjoying going to public school in Colorado, but I am considering a private school. The reason is that he loses his classroom focus so easily so often, and so needs more teacher attention in the class. Once he is focused, he comes up with a very bright answer and follows the class very well, but if not he is completely out of the class. His current teacher recommended us to consider a private school which would have smaller students per class that would hopefully result in a closer teacher attention.

I tried to check some schools out but it has been very frustrating as it is not easy to visit every schools in LA. Some schools get mixed ratings and some supposedly good schools are full of problematic, spoiled kids.

The school does not have to be a top-notch academia. I would rather have a school with a small student body with a reasonably serious level of academic pressure. A caring atmosphere should be desirable.

I haven't finalized my house search yet, so I am flexible. School first and then housing later hopefully following the school location..

If anyone can help me screen the schools, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance~!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by unbrand

I haven't finalized my house search yet, so I am flexible. School first and then housing later hopefully following the school location..

Our Lady of Malibu. That's where I attended 1-6 grades. Excellent school.


Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Scho

[King0fthehill]

I went to Page private school, it was ok

Page Private School

[BRinSM]

There are so many private schools in LA that I would determine where you're going to live first, then looking at which privates schools you want to consider. Traffic is so bad here that you really need to consider your commute before sending your kid to a school on the other side of town.

[JTGJR]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

There are so many private schools in LA that I would determine where you're going to live first, then looking at which privates schools you want to consider. Traffic is so bad here that you really need to consider your commute before sending your kid to a school on the other side of town.

BRinSM is right with respect to determining where you want to live and then seeking an appropriate school. However, I wouldn't limit your search to private schools only. There are many fine public elementary schools, that can address your son's needs, in the LA area as well. As I noted in the thread below (and you should keep an eye on that one as well), you should be researching not only grade schools, but middle school or Jr. High as well.

There are many areas where test scores and school ratings are very good at the elementary level, but experience a significant drop off at the middle school and high school grades.

Best Elementary School Districts?

[unbrand]

Thanks to all who answered! Your inputs are greatly appreciated. In general I AM flexible about the home location because I will be home-working. So, I would rather find a school first.

[BRinSM]

California School Performance Maps

I'd imagine that private schools near good public schools would also be good in order to compete with the publics. Also, in case you are interested in saving the cash, this map will defintiely help.

Also, if you're working from home, you may want to consider the south bay cities, which according to the map, have great schools (just drag the map down past LAX and look at El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach). However, just like all desirable neighborhoods in LA, it is very expensive to live there.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

California School Performance Maps

Wow, what a great tool.

[timelesschild]

I have heard good things about Polytechnic School in Pasadena.

[bhcompy]

As a child I attended Woodruff Christian Elementary(may be called Southland Christian Academy now) in Bellflower, CA. 10-15 students per class and the curriculum was a year ahead of public schools at the time. That school was K-6. I'm 25 at this point and very happy with the base the school instilled in me. Valley Christian has a K-12 system and is well regarded. Most of the kids from Woodruff would attend Valley starting in Jr High in my time.

Parts of Bellflower(near Caruthers Park is the best), Cerritos, Lakewood, etc are surrounding areas suitable to live in for those schools.

For a public school district, as that tool shows, schools in Cerritos, Los Alamitos, and Cypress are fairly good.