Schools and childcare in LA

Public, charter, private or the Dutch Saturday school? How to choose, and how to enroll.

The system in brief

Kindergarten (age 5) through 12th grade (17–18). Elementary (K–5), middle (6–8), high school (9–12). Public schools are free and tied to your home address: the school district (LAUSD is the largest) determines the school. That's why many parents pick the school first, then the house. Charter schools are free and publicly funded with their own approach; often a lottery. Private schools cost $20,000–50,000 a year.

Finding a good school

GreatSchools.org and Niche.com give scores, but always visit. Neighborhoods known for good public schools: Palos Verdes, South Pasadena, La Cañada, Manhattan Beach, parts of Santa Monica and Culver City. Children who don't speak English yet get ELD support (English Language Development); young kids are fluent within six months.

Enrolling

Needed: proof of address, your child's birth certificate or passport, immunization records (California is strict: the Dutch national schedule is fine, have it translated) and sometimes reports from the previous school. You can enroll year-round; the school year starts mid-August.

Childcare and preschool

Childcare is expensive ($1,500–2,500 a month per child) with waiting lists; sign up as soon as you know where you'll live. Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is free for 4-year-olds at public schools. After school there are after-school programs until 6 pm.

Keeping up Dutch