Open Magnet Charter School

Welcome to Open Magnet Charter School

Open Magnet Charter is an Affiliated-Charter and Magnet Elementary School (K-5) in the Los Angeles Unified School District. We are conveniently located near the 405 Freeway in the City of Los Angeles adjacent to the community of Westchester.

Like an oasis away from the busy city, Open students, parents, and staff come together to build a true learning community where students learn through meaningful experiences. Teams of two teachers sharing the same “cluster” of multi-age students design the instructional program to create a thematic project-based curriculum. Enrichment programs covering visual arts, vocal arts, orchestra, physical education, and gardening are also integrated. With its constructivist approach to teaching and a dedicated and diverse school community, Open is one of the most unique schools in the district.

Our goal is to inspire and support our students’ love of learning, thereby enabling them to master the skills they will need as lifelong learners and responsible citizens in our ever-changing society.

Information about upcoming tours will be available on our website usually in October. Applicants MUST be residents of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) at the time of application in order to participate in the LAUSD Magnet Program. Click here on how to apply to Open Magnet Charter.

Attention:

Our school's office will be closed starting July 1, 2020 and will return on July 28, 2020.

Note that the application window has closed for the 2020-21 school year. The next opportunity to apply will be in October 2020 for the 2021-22 school year.

Open Magnet Charter has been designated as a California Distinguished School in 1997, 2003, and just recently in 2012.

"[These Schools] demonstrate the incredible commitment of California's teachers, administrators and school employees to provide a world-class education to every student, in spite of the financial hardships facing our state and our schools. Their dedication is inspiring, and I applaud and admire their passion and persistence."
--State Superintendent Tom Torlakson

In 2001, we were one of three schools chosen in the county of Los Angeles to be the recipient of the Los Angeles Educational Partnership Excellence Award. The LAEP Excellence Awards highlight the accomplishments of teachers, schools and school-communities in the Los Angeles Unified School District that have enhanced student learning and achievement in pre-K through 12th grade.

News Highlights

Principal's Message: Have a Wonderful Summer (Article)

Submitted by Antoinette Cass on Jun 10 (last updated Jul 1)

Dear Open School Families, It is with a heart full of gratitude that I wish you all a wonderful summer. The partnership that Open School parents and educators forged during this global pandemic is unmatched. We appreciate your dedication and the impact that you made from home.

It is also with an optimistic mind that I hope for a different scenario to start the 2020-21 school year. As information and guidance comes from LAUSD, I will be in communication throughout the summer with updates for our year to come.

Enjoy your time with loved ones. Stay safe, healthy and bright!

Warm regards,

Antoinette

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2020 Friends of Open School Alumni College Scholarship Recipients (Article)

Submitted by Antoinette Cass on May 21 (last updated Jul 1)

This year Friends of Open School piloted The Friends of Open School Alumni College Scholarship. The Open School community is so close, and this connection spans far beyond the years when students are actually at Open School.

Yesterday, we had the joy of honoring three Open School Alumni each with $500 scholarships for college. In these trying times, especially for graduates, it was such an honor to celebrate a few alumni and wish them well in their future endeavors. The scholarship recipients are:

Ayana W. (LACES) will be attending UCLA
Caitlin F. (LACES) will be attending University of Oregon
Aidan S. (Hamilton) will be attending UC Berkeley

Initially our goal was to honor two alumni. However, with the direct donations of a few members of our Open School Family, we were able to give a third scholarship. A special thank you to:

Stacy Barnhisel
Ivy Cass
Cathy Furer
Debbie Glezer
Kim Min
Dolores Patton
Ariel Roth
Dena Vatcher

Also, an additional thank you to all in our community who were a part of our Scholarship Committee. The input of these wonderful volunteers made this new tradition possible.