Education Guide 2012

education &enrichment a special cial presentation by

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LEARNING LINK LEARNING LINK LOCA LO LOCAL CAL NNONPROFIT ONP NPRO ROOFI FITT SU SSUPPLEMENTS UPP P LE LEM MENTTS EED DUC UCATIOONA NAL NNEEDS EED EDS FO FORR EDUCATIONAL S RU ST R GGLI GGGLI LING NGG STU SSTUDENTS TUDE TU DENT NTTS STRUGGLING

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PRIVATE SCHOOL DIRECTORY

YOUR GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE GREATER-PASADENA AREA

WESTMINISTER ACADEMY

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10 • P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2

ine. they shJoin our community of inspired educaContact us today for more information on a kindergarten through 8th grade education.

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tors and involved parents committed to a balanced program of academics, arts, physical education and character building. Because Barnhart students aren’t just bright, they shine.

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Exercising a choice NON-PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS CREATE NUMEROUS PATHWAYS TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS

BY SARA CARDINE The question of whether or not traditional schools are able to provide the very best education to students who live within their geographic regions is an unanswered one, but opinions tend to fall on both sides of the issue.

Some claim public schools expose kids to a wide cross section of cultures, learning abilities and attitudes and are, therefore, good training grounds for what graduates will encounter in the “real world.” Others, however, point to inadequacies in traditional public schools, including overcrowding, neglect and a one-size-fits-all approach that can cause some learners to fall through the cracks.

Two primary alternatives to traditional public school environments are non-public and charter schools. Non-public schools, owned and financed independently of state and federal education agencies, typically charge tuition upon enrollment and exercise their freedom to define an educational mission, select students they feel best match that mission, hire teachers and determine their own curriculum and benchmarks for success.

Some private schools are funded by churches, programs like Montessori or by for-profit entities. Independent schools, however, tend to operate under the aegis of a board of trustees. Both types of non-public schools are still held to state and federal standards levels and are accountable to their boards, tuition-paying families and any accrediting agencies that may evaluate them.

Many families prefer private and independent schools, because they tend to offer smaller class sizes, actively engage parents and community members and offer different educational priorities that may be a better fit for some students, said Myra McGovern, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), which supports some 1,400 institutions teaching more than 600,000 students nationwide. Students, McGovern added, have their own reasons for preferring a non-public school education.

“It's often about finding a place where the student feels comfortable, like he can be himself,” she wrote in an email interview. “Many students also report that they're looking for particular opportunitiesthe chance to take photography and Japanese, or to play lacrosse and act in a play, or to learn in a new environment, such as a boarding school, with peers from around the world.”

Charter schools also offer a variety of learning modalities and curricula, although they are public schools financed by local school districts or county education offices. Enrollment is free to students and is not decided by place of residence.

While enrollment in independent schools has remained relatively steady, parent interest in charter schools as a free alternative to traditional learning has increased significantly in the past few years, according to Vicky Waters, spokeswoman for the California Charter Schools Association.

About 100 new charter schools across California opened their doors to students this academic year, bringing the statewide number to 982, which Waters said comprise a total enrollment of more than 412,000 students.

“It’s becoming more of a widespread phenomenon,” she added, speaking of the increased interest among parents in charter schools. “This has been a word-of-mouth movement.”

Parents should research the many options available to them before enrolling their children in alternative schools and ask themselves what model or environment would be best suited to the individual needs of the student. In addition to looking at options online, experts recommend contacting schools directly and speaking with teachers and administrators and even arranging to tour the campus for a firsthand look.

Decide which factors are most important to you and your child — whether it’s cost, location, programming or even extracurricular activities — and keep these in mind during the research process.

If you are interested in a charter school, familiarize yourself with their enrollment deadlines and how much of a waiting list there may be. Because certain schools are in demand (and because charter schools are free of cost) competition can be steep and parents can have a long wait ahead of them. ■ More information on non-public school options can be found at nais.org. To learn more about charter schools, visit calcharters.org.

E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2 P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y • 11

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12 • P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2

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Selected Private Schools YOUR GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE GREATER-PASADENA AREA NON-RELIGIOUS AGBU HIGH SCHOOL 2495 E. Mountain St., Pasadena, 91104 (626) 794-0363 agbuphs.org ENROLLMENT: 120 TUITION (APPROX.): $6,000 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th THE ALMANSOR CENTER 1955 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena, 91030 (323) 257-3006 redesignlearning.org ENROLLMENT: 118 TUITION (APPROX.): Varies AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 3-22yrs ALTADENA BOYS & GIRLS ACADEMY 2151 N. Lake Avenue, Altadena, 91001 (626) 345-0540 ENROLLMENT: 35 TUITION (APPROX.): Varies AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-1st ARCADIA COLLEGE PREPARATORY 145 E. Duarte Road, Arcadia, 91006 (626) 576-8868 arcadiaprepschool.org ENROLLMENT: 50 TUITION (APPROX.): $18,650 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 6th-12th ARIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL 693 S. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, 91106 (626) 793-3741 ariamontessori.satxweb.com ENROLLMENT: 72 TUITION (APPROX.): $9,500 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-K ARROYO PACIFIC ACADEMY 41 W. Santa Clara St., Arcadia, 91007 (626) 294-0661 arroyopacific.org ENROLLMENT: 100 TUITION (APPROX.): $13,500 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th CAMELLIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL 922 E. Mendocino St., Altadena, 91001 (626) 794-2244 ENROLLMENT: 28 TUITION (APPROX.): $525-625/month AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-K CAMPBELL HALL 4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood, 91607 (818) 980-7280 campbellhall.org ENROLLMENT: 1,062 TUITION (APPROX.): $27,220 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-12th

CHANDLER SCHOOL 1005 Armada Drive, Pasadena, 91103 (626) 795-9314 chandlerschool.org ENROLLMENT: 420 TUITION (APPROX.): $16,900 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-8th CHILD’S WORLD SCHOOL 1540 Manley Drive, San Gabriel, 91776 (626) 288-2870 ENROLLMENT: 80 TUITION (APPROX.): $575/month AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: nurs,PK, K, CRESTVIEW PREPARATORY SCHOOL 140 Foothill Blvd., La Canada, 91011 (818) 952-0925 crestviewprep.org ENROLLMENT: 241 TUITION (APPROX.): $13,445 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-6th DELPHI ACADEMY* 11341 Brainard Avenue, Lake View Terrace, 91342 (818) 583-1070 delphila.org ENROLLMENT: 175 TUITION (APPROX.): $12,350 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-12th DRUCKER SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT* 1021 North Dartmouth Avenue, Claremont, 91711 (909) 607-9064 drucker.cgu.edu ENROLLMENT: 350 TUITION (APPROX.): $1,524/unit AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: Graduate EXCELSIOR SCHOOL 1539 E. Howard St., Pasadena, 91104 (626) 398-2388 excelsiorschool.com ENROLLMENT: 64 TUITION (APPROX.): $7,900 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th FAIR OAKS ACADEMY 2704 Fair Oaks Avenue, Altadena, 91001 (626) 797-0758 fairoaksacademy.blogspot.com ENROLLMENT: 49 TUITION (APPROX.): $9,000 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-6th FIVE ACRES THERAPEUTIC SCHOOL 760 W. Mountain View St., Altadena, 91001 (626) 798-6793 5acres.org ENROLLMENT: 69 TUITION (APPROX.): $5,270 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-10th

FLINTRIDGE MONTESSORI 1739 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada, 91011 (818) 790-8844 flintridge-montessori.com ENROLLMENT: 135 TUITION (APPROX.): $800/month AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-K FLINTRIDGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL 4543 Crown Avenue, La Canada, 91011 (818) 790-1178 flintridgeprep.org ENROLLMENT: 500 TUITION (APPROX.): $25,200 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 7th-12th FOOTHILL PROGRESSIVE MONTESSORI 4526 Indianola Way, La Cañada, 91011 (818) 952-0129 fpms.us ENROLLMENT: 75 TUITION (APPROX.): $780/month AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-8th FRIENDS WESTERN 524 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, 91104 (626) 793-2727 friendswesternschool.org ENROLLMENT: 20 TUITION (APPROX.): $8,000 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-6th FROSTIG SCHOOL 971 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, 91107 (626) 791-1255 frostig.org ENROLLMENT: 120 TUITION (APPROX.): $26,000 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 1st-12th HARRIET TUBMAN 36 W. Montana St., Pasadena, 91103 (626) 794-5620 harriettubmanpreschool.webs.com ENROLLMENT: 30 TUITION (APPROX.): $6,000 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-2nd HATHAWAY-SYCAMORES, NPS 2933 N. El Nido Drive, Altadena, 91001 (626) 395-7100 hathaway.sycamores.org ENROLLMENT: 91 TUITION (APPROX.): $140/day AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-12th HIGH POINT ACADEMY* 1720 Kinneloa Canyon Road, Pasadena, 91107 (626) 798-8989 highpointacademy.org ENROLLMENT: 350 TUITION (APPROX.): $10,000 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-8th

HILLSIDE SCHOOL AND LEARNING CENTER 4331 Oak Grove Drive, La Cañada, 91011 (818) 790-3044 hillsidelc.org ENROLLMENT: 70 TUITION (APPROX.): $14,300 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 7th-12th HILLSIDES EDUCATION CENTER 940 Avenue 64, Pasadena, 91105 (323) 255-0978 hillsideseducationcenter.org ENROLLMENT: 84 TUITION (APPROX.): Varies AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-12th HOGG’S HOLLOW EDUCATION CENTER 4490 Cornishon Avenue, La Cañada, 91011 (818) 790-1700 hoggshollowschool.com ENROLLMENT: 27 TUITION (APPROX.): $895/month AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-K LA CANADA PREPARATORY SCHOOL 4490 Cornishon Avenue, La Cañada, 91011 (818) 952-8099 thelearningcastle.com ENROLLMENT: 370 TUITION (APPROX.): $10,450 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-8th LINDSAY 2450 N. Lake Avenue, Altadena, 91001 (626) 666-0066 ENROLLMENT: 33 TUITION (APPROX.): Varies AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th LYCEE INTERNATIONAL OF LA 30 N. Marion Avenue, Pasadena, 91106 (626) 793-0943 lilaschool.com ENROLLMENT: 120 TUITION (APPROX.): $11,000 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-5th MEHER MONTESSORI SCHOOL 943 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena, 91001 (323) 724-0683 mehermontessori.org ENROLLMENT: 150 TUITION (APPROX.): $850/month AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 2 1/2 - 12 yrs OAK KNOLL KINDERHAUS 1200 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, 91104 (626) 345-9929 oakknollkinderhaus.com ENROLLMENT: 81 TUITION (APPROX.): $9,750 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-6th —CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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RELIGIOUS

Selected Private Schools CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 NON-RELIGIOUS OUR SCHOOL* 1800 E. Mountain St., Pasadena, 91104 (626) 798-0911 ourschoolofpasadena.com ENROLLMENT: 84 TUITION (APPROX.): $9,720 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-K PACIFIC OAKS CHILDREN’S SCHOOL 714 W. California Blvd., Pasadena, 91105 (626) 397-1372 pacficoaks.edu ENROLLMENT: 220 TUITION (APPROX.): $600/month AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PASADENA WALDORF SCHOOL 209 E. Mariposa St., Altadena, 91001 (626) 794-9564 pasadenawaldorf.org ENROLLMENT: 230 TUITION (APPROX.): $8,600 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: Preschool-8th PINEWOOD ACADEMY OF LITERACY 4490 Cornishon Avenue, La Cañada, 91011 (818) 952-1900 ENROLLMENT: 16 TUITION (APPROX.): Varies AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 5-12th POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL 1030 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, 91106 (626) 396-6300 polytechnic.org ENROLLMENT: 860 TUITION (APPROX.): $20,500 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-12th RENAISSANCE ACADEMY 4490 Cornishon Avenue, La Cañada, 91011 (818) 952-3055 renaissanceacademy.com ENROLLMENT: 65 TUITION (APPROX.): $5,340 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-12th ROSEMARY SCHOOL 36 S. Kinneloa Avenue, Suite 110 Pasadena, 91107 (626) 844-3033 rosemarychildren.org ENROLLMENT: 37 TUITION (APPROX.): N/A AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 7th-12th ST. GREGORYS A. AND M. HOVSEPIAN SCHOOL 2215 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 91107 (626) 578-1343 hovsepianschool.org ENROLLMENT: 210 TUITION (APPROX.): $475/month AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: Preschool-8th

SAN MARINO MONTESSORI SCHOOL 444 S. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, 91107 (626) 577-8007 sanmarinomontessori.org ENROLLMENT: 200 TUITION (APPROX.): $595/month AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-8th SEQUOYAH SCHOOL 535 S. Pasadena Avenue, Pasadena, 91105 (626) 795-4351 sequoyahschool.org ENROLLMENT: 182 TUITION (APPROX.): $17,250 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-8th SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY 2800 Monterey Road, San Marino, 91108 (626) 799-5010 southwesternacademy.edu ENROLLMENT: 130 TUITION (APPROX.): $30,700 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 6th-12th VILLA ESPERANZA SCHOOL 2116 E. Villa St., Pasadena, 91107 (626) 449-2919 villaesperanzaservices.org/children ENROLLMENT: 80 TUITION (APPROX.): $125/day AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-12th WALDEN SCHOOL 74 S. San Gabriel Blvd., Pasadena, 91107 (626) 792-6166 waldenschool.net ENROLLMENT: 250 TUITION (APPROX.): $16,665 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: PK-6th THE WAVERLY SCHOOL 67 W. Bellevue Drive, Pasadena, 91105 (626) 792-5940 thewaverlyschool.org ENROLLMENT: 316 TUITION (APPROX.): $10,500 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: K-12th WESTRIDGE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 324 Madeline Drive, Pasadena, 91105 (626) 795-1153 westridge.org ENROLLMENT: 503 TUITION (APPROX.): $24,000 AFFILIATION: Nonsectarian GRADE LEVELS: 4th-12th

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ALL SOULS CATHOLIC SCHOOL 29 S. Electric Avenue, Alhambra 91801 (626) 282-5695 ascschool.org ENROLLMENT: 120 TUITION (APPROX.): $6,500 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-1st ALVERNO HIGH SCHOOL* 200 N. Michillinda Avenue, Sierra Madre, 91204 (626) 355-3463 alverno-hs.org ENROLLMENT: 225 TUITION (APPROX.): $11,600 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL 1307 E. Longden Avenue, Arcadia, 91006 (626) 447-8262 acschargers.org ENROLLMENT: 190 TUITION (APPROX.): $3,960 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-8th ARCADIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, 91006 (626) 574-8229 acslions.com ENROLLMENT: 250 TUITION (APPROX.): $7,000 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: PK-8th ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 2660 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, 91107 (626) 793-2089 abvmschool.net ENROLLMENT: 305 TUITION (APPROX.): $4,300 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-8th THE BARNHART SCHOOL* 240 W. Colorado Blvd., Arcadia, 91007 (626) 446-5588 barnhartschool.org ENROLLMENT: 300 TUITION (APPROX.): $10,365 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: K-8th BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 93 N. Baldwin Avenue, #B, Sierra Madre, 91204 (626) 355-3527 bcslions.org ENROLLMENT: 250 TUITION (APPROX.): $2,510 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: K-8th B’NAI SIMCHA JEWISH COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL 550 S. 2nd Avenue, Arcadia, 91006 (626) 445-4805 bnaisimcha.org ENROLLMENT: 70 TUITION (APPROX.): $568/month AFFILIATION: Jewish GRADE LEVELS: 2yrs-PK CLAIRBOURN SCHOOL 8400 Huntington Drive, San Gabriel, 91775 (626) 286-3108 clairbourn.org ENROLLMENT: 375 TUITION (APPROX.): $10,250 AFFILIATION: Christian Science GRADE LEVELS: PK-8th

EMMAUS LUTHERAN SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL 840 S. Almansor Street, Alhambra 91801 (626) 289-3664 emmauslutheranchurch.org ENROLLMENT: 170 TUITION (APPROX.): $5,700 AFFILIATION: LCMS GRADE LEVELS: PK-8th FIRST PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL 556 Las Tunas Drive, #107 Arcadia, 91007 (626) 294-9219 firstpresbyterianschool.org ENROLLMENT: 65 TUITION (APPROX.): $12,500 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th FLINTRIDGE SACRED HEART ACADEMY 440 Saint Katherine Drive, La Cañada, 91011 (626) 685-8300 fsha.org ENROLLMENT: 410 TUITION (APPROX.): $18,700 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th THE GOODEN SCHOOL 192 N. Baldwin Avenue, Sierra Madre, 91204 (626) 355-2410 goodenschool.org ENROLLMENT: 170 TUITION (APPROX.): $11,000 AFFILIATION: Episcopal GRADE LEVELS: K-8th GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL* 6338 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park 90042 (323) 255-2786 goodshepherdla.org ENROLLMENT: 90 TUITION (APPROX.): $300-350/month AFFILIATION: Lutheran GRADE LEVELS: PK-6th GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 73 N. Hill Avenue, Pasadena, 91106 (626) 792-7725 gracechristianacademy.com ENROLLMENT: 75 TUITION (APPROX.): $7,200 AFFILIATION: Lutheran GRADE LEVELS: K-8th HARAMBEE PREPARATORY 1609 N. Navarro Avenue, Pasadena, 91103 (626) 798-7431 harambee.org/harambee.preparatory.school/ ENROLLMENT: 35 TUITION (APPROX.): $7,000 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: PK-5th HOLY ANGELS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 360 Campus Drive, Arcadia, 91007 (626) 447-6312 holyangelsarcadia.org ENROLLMENT: 300 TUITION (APPROX.): $4,800 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: PK-8th HOLY FAMILY 1301 Rollin St., South Pasadena, 91030 (626) 799-4352 school.holyfamily.org ENROLLMENT: 316 TUITION (APPROX.): $5,350 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-8th

JOY CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL 425 Sierra Madre Villa Avenue, Pasadena, 91107 (626) 795-4608 joychristianpreschool.com ENROLLMENT: 50 TUITION (APPROX.): $741/month AFFILIATION: Protestant GRADE LEVELS: PK-K JUDSON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 1610 E. Elizabeth St., Pasadena, 91104 (626) 398-2476 judsonschool.org ENROLLMENT: 115 TUITION (APPROX.): $6,100 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: K-8th LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL 3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, 91107 (626) 351-8951 lasallehs.org ENROLLMENT: 740 TUITION (APPROX.): $14,000 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th LAKE AVENUE, CHURCH SCHOOL 393 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, 91101 (626) 844-4755 school.lakeAvenue,org ENROLLMENT: 166 TUITION (APPROX.): $4,800 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: PK-K MARANATHA HIGH SCHOOL 169 S. Saint John Avenue, Pasadena, 91105 (626) 817-4000 maranatha.hs.org ENROLLMENT: 684 TUITION (APPROX.): $15,488 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th MAYFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILD JESUS 405 S. Euclid St., Pasadena, 91101 (626) 796-2774 mayfieldjs.org ENROLLMENT: 500 TUITION (APPROX.): $16,485 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-8th MAYFIELD SENIOR SCHOOL 500 Bellefontaine St., Pasadena, 91105 (626) 799-9121 mayfieldsenior.org ENROLLMENT: 300 TUITION (APPROX.): $20,000 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th NEW HORIZON SCHOOL 651 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, 91103 (626) 795-5186 newhorizonschool.org ENROLLMENT: 200 TUITION (APPROX.): $4,978 AFFILIATION: Islamic GRADE LEVELS: PK-8th PASADENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 1515 N. Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, 91104 (626) 791-1214 pasadenachristian.org ENROLLMENT: 450 TUITION (APPROX.): $8,780 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: PK-8th

PASADENA MONTESSORI SCHOOL 280 S. Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, 91101 (626) 792-0115 pasadenamontessori.com ENROLLMENT: 50 TUITION (APPROX.): $575/month AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: PK-K THE PEACE & JUSTICE ACADEMY 1041 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, 91107 (626) 345-0504 thepeaceacademy.org ENROLLMENT: 20 TUITION (APPROX.): $8,500 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: 6th-12th PROVIDENCE HIGH SCHOOL* 511 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank 91505 (818) 846-8141 providencehigh.org ENROLLMENT: 400 TUITION (APPROX.): $12,900 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th RAMONA CONVENT SECONDARY SCHOOL 1701 W. Ramona Road, Alhambra 91803 (626) 282-4151 ramonaconvent.org ENROLLMENT: 373 TUITION (APPROX.): $9960 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: 7 – 12 SAHAG.MESROB ARMENIAN CHRISTIAN 2501 Maiden Lane, Altadena, 91001 (626) 798-5020 sahagmesrobschool.org ENROLLMENT: 330 TUITION (APPROX.): $5,270 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: Nursery-12th ST. ANDREW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 42 Chestnut St., Pasadena, 91103 (626) 796-7697 school.standrewpasadena.com ENROLLMENT: 240 TUITION (APPROX.): $3,914 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-8th ST. ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1905 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel, 91776 (626) 280-7255 stanthonysangabriel.org ENROLLMENT: 466 TUITION (APPROX.): $378/month AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: PK-8th ST. BEDE THE VENERABLE SCHOOL 4524 Crown Avenue, La Cañada, 91011 (818) 790-7884 stbedeschool.net ENROLLMENT: 270 TUITION (APPROX.): $3,800 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-8th ST. EDMUNDS NURSERY SCHOOL 1175 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Marino, 91108 (626) 792-7742 saintedmunds.org ENROLLMENT: 112 TUITION (APPROX.): $5,760 AFFILIATION: Episcopal GRADE LEVELS: 3yrs-PK

ST. ELIZABETH PARISH SCHOOL 1840 N. Lake Avenue, Altadena, 91001 (626) 797-7727 saint-elizabeth.org ENROLLMENT: 270 TUITION (APPROX.): $4,592 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-8th ST. FELICITAS AND PERPETUA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL* 2955 Huntington Drive, San Marino, 91108 (626) 796-8223 saintfelicitas.org ENROLLMENT: 250 TUITION (APPROX.): $4,700 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-8th ST. FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL 200 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada, 91011 (818) 790-0325 sfhs.net ENROLLMENT: 660 TUITION (APPROX.): $11,200 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th ST. JAMES PARISH DAY 1325 Monterey Road, South Pasadena, 91030 (626) 799-6906 sjcsp.org ENROLLMENT: 160 TUITION (APPROX.): $295-695/month AFFILIATION: Episcopal GRADE LEVELS: Nursery-K ST. MARK’S SCHOOL 1050 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena, 91001 (626) 798-8858 saint-marks.org ENROLLMENT: 350 TUITION (APPROX.): $9,680 AFFILIATION: Episcopal GRADE LEVELS: PK-6th ST. MONICA ACADEMY* 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, 91103 (626) 229-0351 stmonicaacademy.org ENROLLMENT: 185 TUITION (APPROX.): $3,225 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: 1st-12th ST. PHILIP SCHOOL 1363 Cordova St., Pasadena, 91106 (626) 795-9691 stphiliptheapostle.org ENROLLMENT: 525 TUITION (APPROX.): Varies AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-8th ST. RITA ELEMENTARY 322 N. Baldwin Avenue, Sierra Madre, 91204 (626) 355-6114 st-rita.org/school ENROLLMENT: 300 TUITION (APPROX.): $4,600 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-8th SAN GABRIEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 117 N. Pine St., San Gabriel, 91775 (626) 287-0486 sgucandcs.org ENROLLMENT: TUITION (APPROX.): $5,804 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: PK-8th

SAN GABRIEL MISSION ELEMENTARY 416 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel, 91776 (626) 281-2454 sangabrielmission.org ENROLLMENT: 200 TUITION (APPROX.): $3,950 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: K-8th SAN GABRIEL MISSION HIGH SCHOOL 254 S. Santa Anita St., San Gabriel, 91776 (626) 282-3181 sgmhs.org ENROLLMENT: 270 TUITION (APPROX.): $7,205 AFFILIATION: Catholic GRADE LEVELS: 9th-12th SAN GABRIEL SDA ACADEMY 8827 E. Broadway St., San Gabriel, 91776 (626) 292-1156 san25.adventiSt.,schoolconnect.org ENROLLMENT: 402 TUITION (APPROX.): $621-895/month AFFILIATION: Seventh Day Adventist GRADE LEVELS: K-12th WEIZMANN DAY SCHOOL 1434 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, 91107 (626) 797-0204 weizmann.net ENROLLMENT: 65 TUITION (APPROX.): $10,800 AFFILIATION: Jewish GRADE LEVELS: K-7th WESTMINSTER ACADEMY* 1206 Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena, 91103 (626) 398-7576 westminsteracademy.com ENROLLMENT: 104 TUITION (APPROX.): $6,340 AFFILIATION: Christian GRADE LEVELS: K-8th

* FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE THE DIRECTORY OF SERVICES ON PAGE 18

E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2 P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y • 15

Hahamongna Park, Pasadena • Pre-Camp (ages 3-5) • Day Camp (1st-6th grade) • Outpost (6th-9th grade) Arcadia County Park, Arcadia • TSC Too! (age 4-4th grade)

(626) 794-1156 or visit our website at www.tomsawyercamps.com

How can your child grow this summer?

• Summer Resident Camp for Boys & Girls entering 3rd to 10th grade.

Learn more at www.catalinaislandcamps.com Give us a call today– space is filling fast!

(626) 296-4040

16 • P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2

Working for a living EXPERTS FAVOR AN INTEGRATED ACADEMIC AND HANDS-ON APPROACH TO LEARNING

BY CHRISTINA SCHWEIGHOFER The dream is for every American to complete secondary education, go on to college and land a lucrative job.

But the truth is, in California, only three out of four students graduate from high school. Those who do are often not ready for a four-year college. They need remedial classes in English or mathematics, sometimes in both. The vocational path, on the other hand, carries a stigma associated with issues of civil rights and equal opportunity.

Lately, experts and politicians have been calling for an integrated education model that blends the best of both worlds. They favor pathways that will give students academics and work experience, while preparing them for postsecondary education and for a career.

One initiative working along these lines is the Linked Learning Alliance, a statewide coalition of educators, employers and community organizations in California. Linked Learning’s approach is for high schools to offer rigorous academic instruction with a demanding technical curriculum and field-based learning. Students are prepared to work in one of California’s 15 major industry sectors, from agriculture to arts and from medical technology to transportation. They graduate ready to either work or go on to college without remedial classes.

Studies have shown that students who are engaged in an integrated learning environment learn better and faster, because they learn in context; they are more likely to graduate from high school than students who are educated in the traditional system, and their college attendance rates are higher. Financial benefits have been documented especially for

They graduate ready to either work or go on to college without remedial classes.

minority students: Four years after graduation from high school, career academy graduates were earning more than their traditionally educated counterparts.

Nancy Hoffman, an educational expert with Jobs for the Future, a national nonprofit organization based in Boston, has done research on vocational education systems in European countries. In her book “Schooling in the Workplace,” published by Harvard Education Press in November, Hoffman looks at the lessons the United States can learn from abroad. A hands-on learning model is one of them.

In a recent interview with Pasadena Weekly, Hoffman said, “Research will tell you that hands-on learning is a more engaging way to learn.” She pointed out that young people “want to know what it is like to work” and that it is “important for them to learn responsibility and autonomy.”

Hoffman believes that career and technical education (CTE) should go beyond work-study programs and internships; work should be the focus of learning, rather than an add-on.

Critics of any type of CTE at the high school level argue that early tracking leaves too little flexibility later on and that it will be hard for people to switch from one profession to another. Hoffman has no such worries. She counters that this only happens if the skills taught “are really narrow” and that Americans will “always reinvent themselves as the economy changes.”

In the context of integrated learning, Hoffman sees work ahead not only for high schools, but also for community colleges, which, especially in California, tend to see their main role in transferring students from high school to a four-year college.

Bob Miller, vice president of Educational Services at Pasadena City College, pointed out in an interview with the Weekly that “workplace training is a mission of community colleges.”

He explained that PCC tries to align its program with employers’ needs by having advisory committees for each CTE program work with local companies. ■ E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2 P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y • 17

DIRECTORY OF EDUCATORS AND SERVICES Y

ou can have a good, authentic French restaurant that imports pâté in a can from Paris and uses Caviar Helper from Trader Joe’s. But for genuine ethnic cookery — the kind that truly reflects the time and place of its concern — you have to really know SOULS SCHOOL theALL territory.

All SoulsRamirez School is the firstraised Catholicinelementary school in the San Gabriel to offer a Abel was a Yucatan village with fiveValley brothers dual-language immersion program. With two turns tracks toriding pick from and four sisters.

The brothers took to(Spanish/English and fro on or Mandarin/English), wethe offerside a rigorous in ato nurturing environment.

Our horseback around of acurriculum mountain their father’s cattle credentialed focus on return the education the whole child filled with thewith goal offresh leading ranch.

Eachteachers night they’d withofsaddlebags students become fully bilingual biliterate individuals who the are ready milk, fruittoand vegetables —and including “avocados sizeforofthe challenges of the century. cantaloupes, so21st sweet and tempting,” recalled Ramirez, “that many of them didn’t make it to guacamole.” But the whole family and ALTADENA CHRISTIAN CENTER friends made it to CHILDREN'S the barbecue pit for dinner.

Opening in teaching the fall of 1982, ACCC is kicking off our 30th Anniversary!

We continue Beyond freshness and family as lasting values, the to strive to fulfill our mission of strengthening families by providingtoward the highest quality environment helped instill in Ramirez a proclivity fun andearly care and education for infants, toddlers and preschoolers; serving families of varied fiesta. economic levels and culturalbulls, backgrounds in anwere atmosphere celebrates diversity. A “Dad raised fighting but they usedthat only for caping carefully thought out by teachers whosaid are professionally trained demonstrations atcurriculum various implemented village celebrations,” Ramirez. There andno share a passion for working with afternoon, young children no provides a high quality caring and was blood, no death in the ear for Ava Gardner, so learning environment.

Call Director Toni Boucher at 626-797-6142. among the fiesta crowd perhaps only Hemingway might have shown disappointment.

ALTADENA purchasing STABLES Before El Portal 13 years ago, Ramirez learned about Altadena Stables is a full-service offers a safe and friendly environmentHe for what to do at places wherefacility very and particular people congregate: your riding horsesmanager are attendedoftoCaltech’s 24/7 by experienced caretakers who served for enjoyment.

17 years Boarded as general Athenaeum, live on theby property.

Theof location is nextat to the Arroyo Seco and its beautiful forest trails. preceded a stint 14 years Pasadena’s then-Huntington Hotel.

Instruction is provided on reliable stable horseshamburgers by skilled professionals andState trainers, who Ask him some day about smuggling to Ohio offer lessons, camps, clinics andbeen groupssent for riders of allhungry. ages and Coach skill levelsWoody football players who had to bed www.altadenastables.blogspot.com Hayes, the legendary meanie, had tucked them in after they missed curfew on the eve of a Rose Bowl game.

At El Portal there are few time limits on weekend romance with mariachi, the pouring of award-winning tequilas and the serving of 18 • P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2

signature Yucatecan and Mayan dishes such as cochinita pibil.

Chef Cesar Soberanis puts his signature on pork-butt chunks longsimmered down to juicy tatters in a classic achiote recado marinade (herbed and spiced with brick-red achiote paste, peeled garlic ALVERNO HIGH cloves and SCHOOL salt as well as sweet and bitter orange juice) before being Alverno High and Schoolbaked providesingirls with a full college preparatory curriculum in a distinctly wrapped banana leaves. beautiful environment.

Institute welcomes students from Alverno and other In such dishes The oneSummer can still hear echoes of genuine heritage. schools (grades 6-12) desiretotosomeday pursue advancement in coursework or review Ramirez says he who hopes dig a genuine Mayan cooking academic Alverno prepares knowledgeable young women of conviction to function stove —skills. rock-lined, wood-fired, covered with fragrant leaves andin their world with theto courage to take in the pursuit of values, andsteam with thean ability to bags of earth seal in therisks heat.

“This way I could apply untried solutions to problems.

200he N. Michillinda Ave., the Sierracity Madre, 91024, (626) armadillo in the parking lot,” joked, “but of CA Pasadena 355-3463 won’t letwww.alverno-hs.org me.”

Otherwise, life is good. “A while back, I bought a condo at ART CENTER Beach, COLLEGE OF DESIGN Rosarito and lately I’ve been practicing retirement there on Art Center College Design (artcenter.edu) is a globaland leader in art and design weekends andofsometimes on Mondays Tuesdays.

But education quitting and theisfirst school to receive Ithe now outdesign of the question. soUnited loveNations' what Non-Governmental I’m doing.” Organization (NGO) status. Art Center offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide variety of art Do and design disciplines, well as public programs geared toward all ages and levels of any other areaasrestaurants pique his culinary interest? experience. For current news and events about the College, visit Art Center’s blog, Dotted Line“For (blogs.artcenter.edu/dottedline) me, a special treat is the rack of lamb next door at Maison

Akira [713 E. Green St., Pasadena; (626) 796-9501]. My lovely wife AXIA LEARNING Rosalia never eats lamb, and never cooks it.” ■ Axia Learning provides happier school days through customized education solutions. Our Director of Education is a California credentialed teacher with a master’s degree in education, specializing in curriculum and instruction. We offer parent coaching, consultations, academic and learning behavior assessments, in-home tutoring, individualized test preparation and academic advising. We specialize in identifying and understanding each student’s unique educational needs and goals and create customized solutions. Let us help you feel confident about your child’s education. 327 Arden Ave. No. 103, Glendale, CA 91203. (818) 240-4044 —CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

EMMAUS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Preschool through 8th grade

SMALL CLASS SIZES—INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION

OPEN HOUSE: MARCH 11 10:30-3:00 KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION BREAKFAST: FEBRUARY 25 9:00-11:00 HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND WELL ROUNDED EDUCATION STOP BY FOR A CAMPUS TOUR

840 S. ALMANSOR • ALHAMBRA • (626) 289-3664 WWW.EMMAUSLUTHERANCHURCH.ORG

Children’s Scholarship Auditions 10 Full Tuition Scholarships for the 2012-2013 year!

Master Classes for Children with Charles & Phillip Fuller Dancers Ages 8-12 may attend the auditions MASTER CLASSES Thursday February 23rd 2012

AUDITION CLASSES Sunday February 26th 2012

Ages 8-12 4:00PM – 5:30 PM with instructor Phip Ages 13-17 4:00PM – 5:30PM with instructor Chip

Ages 8-12 11:00AM – 12:15PM Ages 13-17 12:30PM – 2:00 PM

496 Arroyo Parkway Pasadena, Ca 91105 • (626) 396-1744 • DancePasadena.com Class Fee $12 • Audition Fee $7 Cash or Check E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2 P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y • 19

ALTADENA CHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN ALTADENA CHILDREN’S CENTER CENTER CHILDREN’S QUALITY CARE and EDUCATION QUALITY andtoEDUCATION for children agesCARE 2 months Pre-kindergarten

for children agesof 2Children: months to Pre-kindergarten Celebrating 30 Years Excellence Through Diversity

• loving, nurturing care • support for children’s social & emotional development • educational curriculum • outdoor activities for healthy physical development • family involvement valued • professionally trained teaching staff

INFANT/TODDLER ages 2 months to 2 years (license#198007301)

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM ages 2 years to Pre-kindergarten (license #191205095)

BEST DAYCARE

Providing quality child care and education programs since 1982.

Altadena Christian Children’s Center 791 E. Calaveras St. Altadena, Ca 91001 Open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, contact Director, Toni Boucher at (626)797-6142.

20 • P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2

Mention This Ad And Get A Free Class

we offer over 30 langages small group classes interactive classes immersion and intensive lessons affordable prices spring session begins march 3rd

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

BARNHART Barnhart School offers a private elementary and middle school education for children in kindergarten through eighth-grade from Arcadia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and other San Gabriel Valley communities. Distinguished programs of Barnhart School are the Writers’ Workshop, the seventh-grade Biotech project sponsored by Amgen, Spanish at all grade levels with a conversation club in eighth-grade, early literacy emphasis, the Virtues character development program and continued integration of technology, arts and physical education. 240 W. Colorado Blvd., Arcadia. barnhartschool.org (626) 446-5588

DRUCKER SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT The Drucker School of Management in Claremont offers a world-class graduate management education through our MBA, Executive MBA, Financial Engineering, and Arts Management degree programs. Our programs infuse Peter Drucker’s principle of management as a liberal art along with our core strengths in strategy and leadership. We offer individualized, flexible course scheduling, an innovative curriculum focusing on values-based management and the opportunity to learn from world-renowned faculty members. To learn more, visit us at drucker.cgu.edu.

CATALINA ISLAND CAMPS Snorkel through sunlit kelp beds. Paddle along the rocky coastline with sea lions and pelicans. Hike into the island wilderness only 26 miles from one of the largest cities in America. There is no end to the fun, friends and activities. Our counselors are carefully selected, trained and supervised to be exceptional role models for your camper. The camp staff brings energy, fun and friendship to every camper, everyday. Join us this summer for your next adventure! catalinaislandcamps.com (626) 296-4040

EMMAUS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Since 1943, Emmaus Lutheran School has nurtured students with rigorous academic standards and Christian-based life skills to produce well-rounded students whose academic careers hold no limits. Our graduates go on to schools including John Hopkins University, West Point and USC. Before- and after-school care, sports, student government, field trips, music, art, and SMALL CLASSES and INDIVIDUALIZED CARE help students become anything that they want to be. Join the Emmaus family! Visit our Web site: mmauslutheranchurch.org or visit 840 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 91801. (626) 289-3662

CHILD EDUCATION CENTER The Child Educational Center offers a wide variety of summer camp experiences that are sure to meet your and your child's ideas of summer fun! Summer exploration camp has a different theme each week and includes field trips, swimming and special guests. Our partnership with Altadena Stables and Descanso Gardens continues with two weeks of Horse Camp and three weeks of Descanso Discoveries. Adventure Zone will peak your older child's interest with trips to amusement parks, Boomers and more. 140 Foothills Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge. (818) 354-3418 ceconline.org A CLAIRBOURN EDUCATION Accredited by NAEYC, WASC, and CAIS, Clairbourn is an independent school offering a fullspectrum curriculum for preschool through grade eight. With an enrollment near 360, the school is the ideal size to provide individual attention and a robust educational experience.

Visit www.clairbourn.org or call 626-286-3108.

THE COLBURN SCHOOL On Feb. 25, The Colburn School, in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, will present a daylong Early Childhood Symposium from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm in Zipper Hall. The symposium is a series of demonstrations, performances and lectures designed to provide insight and practical knowledge regarding early childhood education from a broad and diverse community. With experts from all around the country, this event is free and open to the public. 200 South Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012. (213) 621-4529 DANCE CONSERVATORY OF PASADENA Dance Conservatory of Pasadena is happy to announce that Chip and Phip Fuller will be teaching Master ballet classes for kids. They are wonderful ballet teachers, who have produced many beautiful dancers in their years of teaching in Pasadena. Children’s classes will be on Thursday, Feb. 23. DCP will also be awarding 10 full dance tuition scholarships for children ages 8 to 17 years old. Auditions will be held on Feb. 26 at DCP. 496 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena, CA 91105.

DELPHI ACADEMY Delphi Academy is a K-12 school on a beautiful 10-acre campus surrounded by equestrian trails that offers an exciting summer program of fun and enrichment. Activities include, adventurous camping and day trips to the beach, aquarium, Imax, Greyhound Rescue, Castaic Lake and a wild animal show as well as hiking, sports, cultural theme weeks, movie making, urban outdoor survival week, music cafe and more. A wide range of challenging courses include study skills, science, math, literature, and SAT & college prep.

Call (818) 583-1070.

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH SCHOOL Our church welcomes all families and children to share the Word of God. We have a youth group and Sunday school. Our preschool and K-6th classes emphasize reading and mathematics in preparation for the annual SAT tests given each grade. Computers are used by all the grades. Day care is also available. Please call (323) 255-2786 to arrange a tour. More details, including tuition rates, are at goodshepherdla.org.

HIGH POINT ACADEMY HPA has incorporated efforts to preserve the planet by incorporating earth-friendly practices into everyday curriculum. Students are taught to separate trash and learn how landfills affect the environment. One year, the Lunch Bunch club studied problems created by trash and came up with practical solutions that students could incorporate at school and at home. Lunch Bunch submitted their results to Lexus Eco Challenge 20102011 and was awarded a $10,000 grant. They were also honored with Pasadena’s Outstanding Recycler award. 1720 Kinneloa Canyon Road., Pasadena. (626)798-8989 highpointacademy.org IPOLY HIGH SCHOOL International Polytechnic (iPoly) is a 500-student specialized public high school, located at Cal Poly Pomona. iPoly’s college prep program centers on project-based learning; students work in teams on semester-long projects tied into the curriculum. Concurrent college enrollment at Cal Poly and community colleges is encouraged. A total of 200 hours community service is required to graduate. Students apply and test in as early as eighthgrade. District permission is not required. The school is tuition free. 3801 W. Temple Ave., Bldg 128-16, Pomona, CA 91768, ipolyhighschool.org JUSTINE SHERMAN & ASSOCIATES, INC. Justine Sherman & Associates is a nonpublic agency serving the speech-language, orofacial myology and educational needs of young toddlers through adults. We strive to provide our clients with exceptional therapy and support, so that they may achieve their greatest potential. Call (626) 355-1729 or visit justineshermanslp.com.

LA MUSIC ACADEMY COLLEGE OF MUSIC Founded in 1996, the LA Music Academy College of Music is regarded as one of the premiere music schools in the world for students who desire an intimate and friendly, yet serious and rigorous contemporary music education. Accredited by the National Association for Schools of Music, the school offers associate’s degrees in music production (music producer major) and music performance (drums, bass, vocals and guitar). LA Music Academy is at 370 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. Visit lamusicadademy.edu or call (626) 568-8850.

—CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2 P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y • 21

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THE LEARNING CASTLE/LA CAÑADA PREPARATORY Review, reinforcement and advancement are not only the primary goals of our SummerSchool Program, but also the fundamental ingredients for a successful transition between grades. With small, teacher-to-student ratios, TLC/LCP's program is the smart choice to keep your student sharp over summer. 818-952-8008, 818-952-8099. www.thelearningcastle.com LINEAGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (LPAC) LPAC is a community hub offering specialized dance classes, theater, music and dance performances, fundraising events, film screenings and more. LPAC is home to the Lineage Dance Company, a contemporary dance company dedicated to raising support and awareness for nonprofit organizations and making the arts accessible to all. Join us on April 21 for an exciting day of classes and performances at the 5th Annual Pasadena Dance Festival at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. 89 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. (626) 844-7008, lineagedance.org.

MARLBOROUGH SUMMER SCHOOL Open to all students entering Kindergarten-12th Grade, Marlborough’s five-week co-ed summer school program provides a wide variety of classes. From athletics to academics, science to drama, and art to math, our Summer School theme of “Art, Smart, Heart” is reflected across the extensive course offerings. Visit our Web site at marlboroughsummerschool.org to peruse the exciting courses for 2012 and to enroll in the program, or contact us with any questions at (323) 964-8401.

ONEONTA COOPERATIVE NURSERY SCHOOL Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School in South Pasadena provides a unique and rewarding learning environment for its young students. All aspects of a child's social, emotional, physical, and educational development are stimulated by a variety of activities, creative projects, and play equipment. As an educational cooperative, parents play an integral role in the school while sharing in their child's preschool experience. Join us for our Open House at 9:15am March 2. Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School is at 1515 Garfield Ave., South Pasadena. Call (626)799-3105 or visit www.oneontacoop.com OUR SCHOOL Our School was established in 1977 and is a product of more than 35 years of experience.

The materials are selected to expose your child to progressive educational steps, warm and understanding teachers provide an education to better meet your child's individual needs. It is our goal to provide your child with a well-rounded program to meet their social, emotional and academic needs. 1800 E. Mountain St., Pasadena, CA 91104.

(626) 798-0911 PASADENA CITY COLLEGE Established in 1924, Pasadena City College has been serving the San Gabriel Valley for more than 85 years. PCC enrolls more than 29,000 students each semester and offers 60 academic and 76 career and technical education programs. Renowned for its high student transfer rate, national mathematics and forensic honors and extensive study abroad offerings, PCC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Pasadena.edu PASADENA LANGUAGE CENTER Learn Arabic, Armenian, ASL, Cantonese, Chinese, Croatian, Danish, Dutch, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Thai or Vietnamese. We offer small group classes at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

Our language programs include weekly and weekend immersion lessons or private instruction. Our classes are affordable, so anyone can learn a new language. 46 Smith Alley, Suite 240, Pasadena. Contact us at (626) 844-5003 or pasadenalanguage.com.

PROVIDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Providence High School is located right next door to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center.

We offer a full college prep program including, media-, medical- and technology-focused programs. PHS equips students with the self-confidence and perseverance to succeed academically and socially in college and life. Our superior academics, as well as our award-winning visual, performing arts and competitive sports programs, make PHS an excellent choice. Here at PHS, you will find out what inspires you! 511 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank 91505. Call (818) 846-8141 or visit providencehigh.org.

SIERRA MADRE LEARNING CENTER SMLC’s mission is to build individualized programs to assist and enrich children’s learning skills. Through our assessment process and ongoing evaluative progress monitoring, we assure educational growth through empirically researched and validated instructional methods. With 20+ years of combined educational practice, credentialed teachers and licensed educational professionals, we work to improve your child’s skills in academics, conceptualization, creativity and comprehension. Through SMLC, you can encourage the development of your child’s achievement. 38 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024 SPACE - SOUTH PASADENA ARTS CENTER Change your life today by exploring the world of art. Classes feature unique hands-on projects, experienced teachers and small class sizes. We offer workshops and classes for children and adults, including painting, drawing, collages, mixed media, ceramics, creative writing, photography and more. The South Pasadena Arts Center is at 1506 Mission St., South Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 441-4788 or visit spaceartscenter.com.

TOM SAWYER CAMPS Tom Sawyer Camps is one of the pioneers in youth camping in Southern California. The camp maintains the strong commitment that every child should experience carefree, constructive activities in the out-of-doors, like Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher did.

Positive reinforcement from caring adults, the thrill of horseback riding and the chance to go out and get dirty are some of the reasons that thousands of children reflect upon their Tom Sawyer or Becky Thatcher experience with fond and happy memories. Visit tomsawyercamps.com or call (626) 794-1156.

WESTMINSTER ACADEMY Westminster Academy, founded in 1953, provides a Bible-centered education that honors God and teaches the realities of God and man for students in kindergarten through eighthgrade. This pursuit of truth and the leading of young people to an understanding of God's creation provide an alternative for families who take responsibility for their children's education. Our new campus is located at William Carey International University on 1530 Elizabeth St. #L-15 in Pasadena Call us at 626-720-8116 or visit westminsteracademy.com.

ZMS THE ACADEMY ZMS The Academy is a unique vocational school located in Los Angeles at Figueroa and 61st streets. Programs offered right now include Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetician, Massage Therapy and Permanent Makeup. ZMS The Academy is dedicated to offering a quality, affordable and relevant vocational education that leads to personal and professional success. ZMS The Academy 6029 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042.(323) 372-6132 Find us on Facebook! Find your new career this year! ■

E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2 P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y • 23

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Plug in and

plug away ONLINE COURSES CONNECT STUDENTS WITH REAL-WORLD LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

BY SARA CARDINE There used to be a time when earning a college degree was a pursuit best left to youngsters and those unfettered by mortgages, childrearing and full-time jobs. But for many jobs in today’s marketplace, college degrees and professional certifications are becoming foundational requirements for employment. And to accommodate that increasing expectation, a number of online schools are establishing programs and courses that allow more people to continue their education and earn their degrees from home at their own convenience.

The need for education beyond a brick-and-mortar school building is nothing new — correspondence classes and televised learning have been historical precursors to more modern day options like those offered by Phoenix and Kaplan universities. But as computers have become more accessible, the option to pursue online and adult education is now more convenient than ever before.

Between 2005 and 2010, the percent of students who opted to study online rose from 18.2 percent to 31.3 percent, according to the survey “Going the Distance: Online Education in the United States,” put out in November 2011 by the Babson Survey Research Group. The study reports that in fall 2010, more than 6.1 million people said they’d taken at least one online course. So far, the steady increase in demand for distance learning options has been met by a similarly increasing menu of online courses and educational plans.

In addition to traditional degree-focused programs, many online colleges let professionals get the credentials they need to kick-start their careers without having to take time off work. At University of Phoenix, where some 500,000 students learn in 200 locations and online, students can choose from individual courses for personal development, certificate programs and continuing education credits intended for professionals who are currently working.

According to the Web site onlineschools.org, 40 percent of distance learners across the nation have already earned their associate’s degrees, and another 20 percent hold bachelor’s.

Among them, about 81 percent are employed at the time of their enrollment.

While convenience, flexibility and reduced overall costs are some of the benefits of pursuing a degree online, there can be drawbacks associated with foregoing a traditional higher education environment. Some employers may have a perception that an online degree isn’t as prestigious or worthy of respect as a traditional degree, and students who study remotely may not have the same face-to-face contact with other students and instructors.

Additionally, not all online learning institutions are created equal, so you run the risk of giving money to a school that is unaccredited or doesn’t have a solid reputation. For more information on the importance of accreditation to online students, visit onlinecolleges.net. The US Department of Education maintains a list of college accreditation agencies, so if you are interested in a particular school, you will want to check to see if they have received a designation from any of those agencies.

When pondering whether online education is the right course, you should examine your overall goals, compare costs between online programs and traditional courses offered in your area and identify your biggest priorities at the moment. But know that if you do decide to learn online, a world of options awaits you. ■

As computers have become more accessible, the option to pursue online and adult education is now more convenient than ever before.

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Character — and manners — count PARENTS NEED TO TEACH KIDS THAT A LITTLE RESPECT GOES A LONG WAY

BY REBECCA KUZINS Remember to say “please” and “thank you.” Don’t interrupt others’ conversations. Cover your mouth when you cough: These are some of the basic principles of good manners that Pasadena public and private schools are teaching their students, although some teachers are more likely to call these lessons “socialization skills” or “character training” than “etiquette instruction.”

In the Pasadena Unified School District, socialization begins in kindergarten, when youngsters learn how to get along with other children. “When children are at home, they’re the center of the universe,” said Kathy Onoye, the district’s director of elementary education. “At school, they have to learn how to share, take turns and resolve conflict.”

The district’s elementary schools, Onoye added, are teaching character principles, such as responsibility, caring and fairness. “We want to make sure our students are good citizens.”

“Teaching students how to manage their behavior and treat one another is part of the teachers’ responsibility,” said Marisa R. Sarian, principal of the McKinley School, where 1,230 kindergarten through eighth-grade students attend classes. “How to motivate students and make them more successful goes hand in hand with teaching them behavior.”

Sarian and McKinley’s teachers instruct children to observe the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, citizenship, respect, responsibility, fairness and caring. Teachers and other school employees can fill out a Tiger Ticket, a form on which they nominate a child who demonstrates one or more of the pillars

“Parents should be the primary source of etiquette teaching,” ~Lizzie Post to receive a prize. Each week, Sarian awards a prize to one child in each class, announcing the winners on the school’s public address system.

Blair Manzke, a teacher at the private Pasadena Waldorf School, has developed her own method for teaching students etiquette. At Waldorf, instructors teach a class of students from first- through eighth-grades; Manzke began teaching a class of firstgraders in 2003. She had previously lived in England, where 26 • P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2

“I was really struck by how well-mannered the children there were,” and she was determined that her new class would be similarly well behaved.

Her etiquette lessons, which her students dubbed “Mrs. Manzke’s Manners,” included instruction in the proper way to answer the telephone, to introduce one of their friends to an adult and to look someone in the eye and deliver a firm handshake.

Students would volunteer to demonstrate both the proper and improper forms of behavior. For example, to show the improper way of leaving the classroom to go to the bathroom, the students would exaggerate their behavior by slamming the door as they left the room, while children demonstrating the proper behavior would close the door quietly.

Manzke also taught children to say “please” and “thank you” by handing each child a piece of paper. If a child forgot to thank her, she would take back the paper and not return it until all of the other children received their pieces.

Lizzie Post, the great-great-granddaughter of etiquette authority Emily Post and co-author of the 18th edition of “Emily Post’s Etiquette,” said some teachers will not provide etiquette instruction because they believe it is parents’ responsibility to teach their children good manners.

“Parents should be the primary source of etiquette teaching,” said Post. “We are hard-wired to learn from our patents. “Kids really do learn by example, and they will emulate their parents’ actions, attitudes and tones [of voice]… If parents make time for their children to write thank-you notes, kids will see why being respectful is important.”

Teenagers, Post added, are especially receptive to etiquette instruction, because children that age are often concerned that they are not respected by others. “Teens are trying to get respect from their peers and parents. They can be taught how to treat others with respect,” she said.

Manzke agreed that etiquette training begins at home. Parents really need to look at their manners and how they treat people.

Especially when they are under 7, kids will imitate what their parents do. “Parents need to model what [behavior] they want their children to do,” Manzke said. ■

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E D U C A T I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2 P A S A D E N A W E E K L Y • 27

education &enrichment 5

SOUNDS OF SUCCESS Children who learn to appreciate music at an early age are apt to do better in later life

7

FINDING THE FUNDING Be prepared and persistent in applying for financial aid

8

LEARNING LINK Local nonprofit supplements educational needs for struggling students

11

EXERCISING A CHOICE Non-public and charter schools create numerous pathways to academic success

13 17

SELECTED PRIVATE SCHOOL DIRECTORY WORKING FOR A LIVING Experts favor an integrated academic and hands-on approach to learning

25

PLUG IN AND PLUG AWAY Online courses connect students with real-world learning opportunities

26

CHARACTER — AND MANNERS — COUNT Parents need to teach kids that a little respect goes a long way

ABOUT THE COVER: photo by YanLev

EDITOR Kevin Uhrich DEPUTY EDITOR André Coleman FEATURES EDITOR Sara Cardine ART DIRECTOR Kent Bancroft JUNIOR DESIGNER Carla Cortez PRODUCTION MANAGER Yvonne Guerrero PRODUCTION DESIGNERS Rudy Luthi, Richard Garcia ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Dina Stegon SALES AND MARKETING Brenda Clarke, Leslie Lamm, Heidi Peterson, Jon Wheat OFFICE ASSISTANT Gina Giovacchini VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE Michael Nagami HUMAN RESOURCES Andrea Baker BUSINESS MANAGER Angela Wang ACCOUNTING Alysia Chavez, Monica MacCree VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS FOR SOUTHLAND PUBLISHING David Comden PUBLISHER Jon Guynn

CONTACT US PHONE (626) 584-1500 FAX (626) 795-0149 MAILING ADDRESS 50 S. De Lacey Ave. Suite 200 Pasadena, CA 91105 ©2012 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

E D U C AT I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2 PA S A D E N A W E E K LY • 3

LOCATION:

301 N. Orange Grove Blvd.

(In Neighborhood Church)

Pasadena, CA 91103

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headmaster@stmonicaacademy.com www.stmonicaacademy.com

E D U C AT I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2 PA S A D E N A W E E K LY • 4

Sounds of success CHILDREN WHO LEARN TO APPRECIATE MUSIC AT AN EARLY AGE ARE APT TO DO BETTER IN LATER LIFE

BY CHRISTINA SCHWEIGHOFER

It is a Friday morning at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, and Miss Elizabeth has rolled in the big drum. Half a dozen adults sit cross-legged around the instrument, each with a child on his or her lap. Miss Elizabeth leads the group in melody and movement as they sing nursery rhymes and children’s songs. Hands swish back and forth on the drum skin, tap it gently, bang on it fast; voices climb higher and drop, turn loud then soft, to a whisper. “Round and round the garden like a teddy bear …”

The parents are engaged, moving and singing without inhibition.

As for the children — they are 1-year-olds. One boy is eager to get his hands on the drum, but a second little one has fallen asleep on his father’s shoulder. The other children are looking around curiously, eyeing parents, watching their teacher.

Are children ever too young to learn music? Studies have shown that early exposure to music is a predictor of musical success later in life and that it can contribute positively to the social development of a child.

On Feb. 25, a free symposium on music in early childhood education will take place at the prestigious Colburn School in Los Angeles. The public can enjoy a day of performances, expert-led discussions and demonstrations centered on learning theories and tools for teaching music to young children. The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the campus’ Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

For parents who wish to enroll their children in local music programs, the Pasadena Music Conservatory, located at 100 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena, accepts students as young as 6 months. The idea is for parents to share their love of music with their children and for mothers and fathers to learn how to create music at home.

“Miss” Elizabeth Sawitzke, who teaches the Friday morning Young Musicians class at the conservatory, experienced firsthand what early music education can do for children. Sawitzke started her teaching career 18 years ago as a piano instructor for elementary school-aged children. “I would get some piano students, beginners, who loved making music. They had a steady beat, they

could match a pitch”, she said in a recent interview. Invariably, these students had gone through an early childhood music program similar to the one Sawitzke teaches now. Sawitzke decided to switch from teaching piano to working with the youngest. “I can grab them when their neuropathways are still forming”, she explains.

Does it matter which kind of music very young children learn?

Yes, says Rachael Doudrick, chair of the Young Musicians department at the conservatory. Music should include a variety of styles, from classical to folk and rock, and children should learn music concepts by “discovering” them. “We want them to experience a steady beat, rather than imposing it on them,” Doudrick said in an interview. She added that music should first be experienced in a group setting. At the conservatory, individual lessons for learning an instrument start for violin and guitar when children are about 5 years old and for piano when they are 7.

At the Pasadena Suzuki Music Program (PSMP), located at 570 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, things are different. Shinichi Suzuki, the creator of the Suzuki music program, believed that learning to play an instrument is like learning to speak a language: If done early, fluency can be achieved easily. PSMP admits students as young as 3 and 4 years old to its violin, viola, flute and piano classes.

Jennifer Visick, a PSMP instructor for string instruments, said music classes for the very young require much parental involvement. She explained that very few factors determine success more than whether parents are supportive in the music program.

So, are children ever too old to learn music? “No”, says Doudrick. “As early as you can is best, but if a child has an interest in learning anything in the arts, there is no time like the present.” ■ To learn more about the Pasadena Music Conservatory, visit pasadenaconservatory.org or call (626) 683-3355. For programs and information on the Pasadena Suzuki Music Program, visit pasadenasuzuki.org or call (626) 568-3826. For details on the Colburn School’s Feb. 25 Early Childhood Education Symposium, visit colburnschool.edu or call (213) 621-2200.

E D U C AT I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2 PA S A D E N A W E E K LY • 5

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Finding the funding BE PREPARED AND PERSISTENT IN APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID

BY SARA CARDINE Funding a college education can seem daunting, but there are many different avenues of financial aid available to parents and students.

In addition to federal loans, which give students different payment options with low interest that span many years, there are also grants for graduating seniors who come from low-income families and those who have earned good grades and other academic achievements.

Many private schools offer scholarships to students they want to enroll but who may not otherwise be able to afford a private university tuition. And, in one’s own community, there are several organizations that donate scholarships and grant money to students who meet basic guidelines.

Knowing when and where to start the search for these programs is key to maximizing your child’s financial assistance, according to John Muir High School counselor Nancy Gonzalez Huesser. For the past 16 years, she has helped guide parents and students through the process of funding a college education.

Most seniors start getting serious about financial aid at the beginning of their final year in high school, though Huesser recommends preparations begin the summer after a student’s junior year.

“Parents really need to start thinking about it when kids are younger, in order to know what options are out there for them,” she said.

Those options will vary depending on what kind of school their child wants to attend and how well they perform in high school. To help break down options and application deadlines, Muir holds financial aid informational nights for parents and seniors. They cover subjects like how a student might participate in a work study program, where an on-campus job will pay them for expenses beyond tuition, like food, books and supplies for class.

In years past, counselors like Huesser were the primary keepers of scholarship and aid information, but today seniors can look for grants and other help online. At Web sites like fastweb.com,

scholarship.com and college-scholarships.com, they can enter their basic information and find different funding available they might not otherwise have known about.

“They need to go online. It’s not like before, when you came into the counselor’s office and they’d give you that big book of scholarships available to you,” Huesser said. “Kids can find out that information way more quickly than I could.”

Once you’ve found the information about what funds are available, the best thing to do is prepare for the application process.

Most scholarships and grants require students to provide copies of their high school transcripts along with some short essay answers to questions about personal and academic goals, or what they would do if they won the award.

Huesser advises students to start assembling this information during the summer after their junior year. They can look up essay prompts from previous years and practice writing essays that can be tweaked slightly to answer several different prompts.

Once the packet has been prepared, give it to your high school counselor so they can have it on hand whenever they hear about a new scholarship or grant — often they will learn about a program just days before the deadline and need the information right away.

And finally, advise your sons and daughters to be persistent as they apply for aid. Students don’t always get what they want, so it pays to keep looking. With so many options out there, however, they’re sure to find something. ■

Many private schools offer scholarships to students they want to enroll but who may not otherwise be able to afford a private university tuition.

E D U C AT I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2 PA S A D E N A W E E K LY • 7

Learning link LOCAL NONPROFIT SUPPLEMENTS EDUCATIONAL NEEDS FOR STRUGGLING STUDENTS

BY JUSTIN CHAPMAN

hen the nonprofit organization Neighbors Acting Together For all the organization’s strong ties to the community and to Help All (NATHA) was first created in 1991, it was a partnerships with various schools, however, NATHA remains small neighborhood watch group tucked away in a residential somewhat under the radar, and that is no accident. section of Northwest Pasadena, near the Altadena border.

“We’re really in the trenches,” said Celestine Walker, NATHA’s Over the years, it has transformed into a critical support executive director. “We’re at the grassroots level, and we really network for students and families from all over Greater Pasadena, want to make sure that we’re providing the services that are from San Gabriel to La Cañada Flintridge. needed, so our focus is there as opposed to advertising our Now the grassroots agency accomplishments all over is partnering with other local town.” community organizations, as She added that they spend well as most charter, private more time trying to interface and public schools, to serve with young people and their an area of about 1,900 homes families to make their with afterschool and summer community better and level programs for kindergarteners the playing field. to high school students, “We can’t look outward as offering programs Monday much, because we don’t want through Friday with occato miss a beat here by being sional activities on the more external,” she said. “It’s weekends. also really complicated out “NATHA was created there and highly political. We specifically to give an don’t want to be derailed from opportunity to all children, what our passion and purpose but especially children who truly is and why we’re here, may not be exposed to and that’s the families and different opportunities, to people in our community.

Jalila Walker, Program Coordinator, and travel or go on field trips, or We’re very invested here.”

Celestine McFearn Walker, Executive Director be exposed to different things For those involved with they may not have if they NATHA, that sentiment is weren’t participating in a program,” said program coordinator exactly what makes the organization so special.

Jalila Walker.

“What struck me most about the organization was that the NATHA’s programs, designed to supplement what they’re people involved seemed to be genuinely interested in what they learning in school, include: the Lemonade Brigade, an entreprewere doing,” said Colin Burton, a former Weekly contributor neurial business created by the Youth Leadership Group that sells who tutored at NATHA in summer 2001. “When I took the job, I lemonade at community events and reinvests the profits back into assumed that everyone was somewhat interested in the field of the organization; the Wagon Tails program, in which kids read to work but mostly in it for a paycheck, as I was at first. But by the dogs to help build their reading confidence; tennis instruction with end of the summer, it was obvious that the staff genuinely cared the company iTennis; and fitness activities with a personal trainer. about supporting and enriching their community, and the This year, students in the organization’s anti-drug and alcohol sentiment was infectious. By the end, I found myself doing coalition are planning to expand the Web series they created, things above and beyond what I was paid for, simply for the which so far is composed of three episodes that the coalition satisfaction of knowing that I had helped in some way.” wrote, filmed, acted in and edited with financial support and NATHA is funded by private donations, LA County’s Commuresources donated by OnWeb Television. nity Development Commission (CDC) and grants, such as the

W

8 • PA S A D E N A W E E K LY E D U C AT I O N G U I D E 2 0 1 2

federal Department of Health and Human Services’ Drug Free Communities Grant. Jalila Walker said she’s not worried about the end of redevelopment funding.

“I don’t think it will affect NATHA in a negative way,” she said.

“We’ve been able to survive here for a long period of time. A lot of our resources come from our parents and community partners who support what we do, and so that’s how we really survive. It’s about the commitment of our community partners and the parents and people who work here still willing to make it work.”

In the future, Walker would like to see NATHA expand its services to include resources for young adults who have graduated from high school and are either looking for a job or applying to colleges.

“I think young people who are fresh out of high school, until

they are about 24 years old, need a place to go where they can learn skills, such as writing resumes and cover letters,” she said, “as well as find out what other options they have, like internships or externships or volunteering somewhere. Because even if they can’t get a job, there are still opportunities where they can get the skills they need to succeed.”

NATHA’s staff is actively working toward realizing that goal of expanding the organization to include those kinds of programs.

“We appreciate those who remember that we’re here and come by to offer their services,” said Walker. “That’s what it’s about, taking care of each other and making sure that people are successful in society.” ■ To learn more about NATHA, call (626) 794-5889 or visit natha.org.

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