As a general rule of thumb, expats moving to Los Angeles with children of school-going age should be wary of the LA public school system; and if financially possible, should consider sending their kids to private, charter or international institutions.

While on the whole, private schooling in Los Angeles is a more reliable option, parents are reminded that there are huge variations among schools in both the public and private sectors. Reputation only counts for so much – and often, does not accurately reflect the quality of learning taking place in schools.

Resources like GreatSchools.org rate and compare schools based on a number of factors, and can be especially useful to expat parents trying to pick the ideal school for their student.
 

It is vital, before enrolling your child at a particular school, to call the principal and to ask for a tour of the school and a class visit. Once there, you'll be able to gauge for yourself the suitability of the school, by judging things like class size, the types of resources available, and the programs that are offered. If at all possible, try and attend a PTA meeting – this will allow you to meet members of the school's broader society, and might allow you to get a feel for the ethos of the institution.
 

It is important to remember that while some children will do well, no matter what school they attend and no matter the circumstances, for others, it is simply a question of whether the child gets along with their teacher or not. Thus, it is of paramount importance that before you make a decision about which school to send your child to (public or private), you meet with their prospective teacher. This will allow you to get an insight not only into the school's curriculum, but also the teacher's personality, disciplinary style, and teaching philosophy – and this, in turn, will assist you in making the best possible decision for your child.

Public schools in Los Angeles

Though there are notable exceptions, public schools in LA are notorious for high drop-out rates and chronic underfunding. The No Child Left Behind policy – an educational initiative instituted in 2002 by former president George W. Bush, and characterised by standardised testing – has also taken its toll on the public school system, with opponents claiming it has contributed to a weakening of curriculum, a handicapping of teachers, and even more dire money shortages.
 

There are, however, advantages to the public school system. For one thing, it's free, and for another – since school placement is determined by geographical location – your child will go to school close to home, and will interact with children from their own neighbourhood. Many parents even pick the area they'd like to live based on the standard of the surrounding schools.

Furthermore, if you are seeking immersion into American culture for your child, the public school system will allow them to interact with a wider, more varied, and more representative sample of American kids.
 

Some of the top-rated public schools in Los Angeles include Clover Avenue Elementary School, Community Magnet Charter School, Crescendo Charter Conservatory, Fairburn Avenue Elementary, and School Global Educational Academy.

Private schools in Los Angeles

Overall, the level of education fostered in private schools is considerably better than that of public schools. Private schools have much more leniency, and do not have to conform to educational directives handed down to them by the government – thus affording teachers the opportunity to customise their curricula and teaching styles, which can range from very alternative, to conservative and strict.
 

Choosing an appropriate private school is important, and will depend on several factors. For example, in gargantuan, sprawling LA, the location of the school becomes significant, as most private schools won’t provide transportation for your child.
 

It is important to remember that the competition for places in top private schools is incredibly stiff; often, parents are forced to battle against limited space and very selective entrance requirements to get their children enrolled. It is also worth noting that a large number of private schools in Los Angeles are religious (and specifically, Catholic) institutions. These schools are usually cheaper than schools without religious affiliation. There are also a number of international schools in LA, where children can continue the curriculum they initially started overseas.