Parent's Review of Elan International School in Los Angeles, California

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

Elan International School

In what town or city is this school located?

Los Angeles

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

International

What grade levels are represented at this school?

PK - 6

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

Most are brought by their parents in cars; a small number live close enough to walk.

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

The school hires from a church and while appropriate for PK and Elementary, the new Middle School will have some restrictions until the school moves to its own facility. There is a very active extra-curricular program with 5 or so activities every day : ballet, drama, karate, chess, tennis, scuplture, Science, Latin, puppetyr, photography etc

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

The school is very friendly and welcoming and newcomers fit in easily and well. My children who had not previously liked school now get up early and complain on holidays. The curriculum is based on the IBPYP and IBMYP which is intended for students who move country, and who join mid-year. There is no repatriation program.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

There is an active PTO; parents are encouraged to attend the weekly assembly; there is a weekly parent coffee morning; there are regular afterschool celebrations (Hanukkah, Eid, Divali, Watangi Day) and parents are encouraged to attend. The PTO arranges many events for the school and for parents.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

Do it but move fast - the school is 18 months old and PK - G1 already has waiting lists. Even though this area has literally over a hundred schools to choose from, we have no regrets over coming to Elan.