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05-13-2007, 03:02 PM
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Member
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Join Date: May 2007
14 posts, read 14,728 times
Reputation: 12
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Swedish Mom moving to LA need advice!!
 I'm a single mom to an 8 year old boy and I'm thinking about moving to LA at the end the summer. I have lived in the States before (Co & Bay area) but moved back to Sweden 5 years ago. My ex-husband (and my son's father) live in Playa del Rey and I would like to live closer to him. The distance between him and my son is just killing us and I would like to try out LA for year and then we'll see... The problem is: where to live and what school??? I know LA fairly well and I could deal with renting an apt. or a small house for about $1800. Private school is not an option so I've been looking at Culver City and Santa Monica. Other neighburhoods that I like include Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Venice. I need help on chosing a good, safe, family oriented place for me and my son (with a good public or charter school nearby) preferably on the west side. Any suggestions? Also, how do you go about applying for schools when you don't know exactly where you are going to be living? Are charter schools an option? I'm planning on moving at the earliest end of July/beginning of August but I assume we have to apply soon before the summer break. Please help! Any suggestions are welcome 
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05-13-2007, 03:33 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: LA to Pittsburgh
157 posts, read 216,959 times
Reputation: 34
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Hi,
Santa Monica has the best schools of the three areas that you mentioned IMO. I like Marina Del Rey and Venice, but they are both LAUSD. If you do choose an LAUSD school, I recommend Venice as Coeur D'Alene is a very good LAUSD school that is a School for Advanced Study which means that it has somewhat more freedom than other LAUSD schools to tailor the curriculuum to your child. All are nice areas. If you are going to public school you don't have to apply. If you want a charter school you do have to apply, but I think you need an address. Could you use your son's father's address? Good luck |
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05-14-2007, 06:22 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
14 posts, read 14,728 times
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Thanks for the advice. Yes, we could use his father's adress. Do you know anything about the Ocean Charter school in Culver City? Also, do you know if Santa Monica is devided in several dif. school districts or has the city just one school district? It makes it easier to look for place to rent if you are not constricded to a small area... I guess I'm leaning towards SM since i really like it there. Your advice is greatly appreciated!
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05-14-2007, 09:44 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: LA to Pittsburgh
157 posts, read 216,959 times
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HI,
Ocean Charter is a Waldorf School. So, if you like that philosophy, it's a great school. It has a waiting list though. I have several friends with kids there and they are all very happy.
Santa Monica is one school district. It has several elementary schools, three (I think) middle schools and one high school. People seem the happiest with Grant Elementary, but they are all pretty good.
If you use your son's father's address that will work to get on the list for Ocean Charter, but it won't help you at all for getting into Santa Monica.
Good luck.
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05-14-2007, 05:53 PM
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Senior Crewmember
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: West LA
723 posts, read 785,000 times
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titsorgtfo
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05-15-2007, 07:53 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
14 posts, read 14,728 times
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What do you mean with titsorgtfo?
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05-15-2007, 10:39 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
14 posts, read 14,728 times
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What? I've had 99 visitors but only two good replies. Is it because I'm Swedish?? |
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05-15-2007, 11:00 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2007
21 posts, read 24,133 times
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Hello,
Just two websites to check if you haven't already...
www.greatschools.com
www.schoolmatters.com
Don't assume that the lack of response is because you are Swedish. I think it is difficult to compare schools ....
Goodluck,
Malimea |
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05-16-2007, 05:23 AM
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Member
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Join Date: May 2007
14 posts, read 14,728 times
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Thank you Malimea. I have already checked out greatschools.com but not the other one.I will though. It's just so hard to decide where to live and what kind of school to send your child to. It's a jungle out there! But the most important thing to me is safety and a good education. Do you have any suggetsions on websites for rentals? I've checked Rent.com, appartments.com and Craig's list. Is it fair to assume that if I want a nice, safe 2 br house or condo on the westside I should expect to pay at least $1800/m? Thanks again for your advise. /Lotta
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05-18-2007, 12:31 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2006
1,343 posts, read 1,346,468 times
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By the way, SwedishMom, if you live within LAUSD, check your zoned schools.
Enter your address here: http://search.lausd.k12.ca.us/cgi-bi...xec=schfinder0
And use greatschools to check the zoned schools. |
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