The Los Angeles Unified School District is thanking voters this first day of the school year as thousands of students return to school in new buildings. A total of nine new schools open their doors Wednesday.
The new schools are part of the LAUSD's $19.5 billion New School Construction and Modernization Program to provide a safe and healthy neighborhood school on a traditional, two-semester calendar for students. To date, the district has completed 111 new schools and about 25,000 modernization projects. More are expected over the next two years.
"We look forward to amazing teaching and learning, historic parent engagement," says LAUSD School Board President Monica Garcia, "and moving closer to 100 percent graduation. They key to our success is working together."
LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy echoed Garcia's words about the historic moment facing the district.
"Gathering here on the first day of school," he said, "we recognize the potential of every student."
In all, nine new school sites opened their doors to students this year:
1. Sandra Cisneros Learning Academy
2. Central Region High School #6 (formal name to be decided later)
3. Central Region Middle School #7 (formal name to be decided later)
4. Ranch Dominguez Prepatory School
5. Sonia Sotomayor Learning Academies
6. Juanita Tate Elementary School
7. Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences
8. South Region High School #2 (formal name to be decided later)
9. Valley Region High School #5 (formal name to be decided later)
Schools without formal names will get the opportunity to receive input from the neighborhood and from students about what to call them, including choosing a school mascot and school colors.
