Our son has attended Ernest Lawrence Middle School since 6th grade in the Pioneering Science Magnet, and now, as he prepares to culminate as an 8th grader, we can honestly say his overall experience has been a positive one.
To start, yes -- like many LAUSD schools, Lawrence has its challenges. At times, it felt like there was a new administrator every year, and that kind of turnover can make consistency difficult. But despite that, what has made Lawrence stand out is the quality of the people who truly care about the students and families.
One of those people is Mrs. Amaya. She has been one of the most impactful people on campus. Even after budget cuts changed her role, she stayed and continued serving the school community in meaningful ways. From helping create and support the community locker for students and families in need, to keeping parents informed and connected through social media, to the way she builds real relationships with students, Mrs. Amaya has been a tremendous asset to Lawrence. Any school would be lucky to have someone as committed, caring, and invested as she is.
Mr. Crenshaw, the Magnet Coordinator, has also been a huge part of what makes the Pioneering Science Magnet special. He has been there since the beginning, and his dedication shows. It is clear he genuinely cares about the students, believes in the program, and wants to create meaningful opportunities for them. His passion for education and student growth is obvious.
The teachers our son has had have also been strong overall, with several truly standing out. Mr. DeLuca has been one of the most memorable. Even if he is somehow a Mets fan instead of a Dodgers fan, he is an excellent teacher who clearly cares about his students and the work he does. Mr. Padilla also deserves a lot of recognition. He gives so much of his own time to students, including during spring break through the Washington, D.C./New York trip, and he has been excellent at connecting with students while also looking out for them. Both teachers have made a real impact.
Beyond administration and teachers, the supervising aides also deserve recognition. They are often the unsung heroes on campus. They know the students, they pay attention, and they notice when something is off. That kind of awareness matters more than people realize, especially in middle school.
Academically, we appreciated the rigor. Some teachers pushed students in the right ways, and the magnet program definitely expects students to stay on top of their work. Families considering the Gifted or Pioneering Science Magnet programs should know that the workload can be demanding, and homework can be heavy at times. But that rigor also helps prepare students for what comes next.
Socially, our son built a solid group of friends and had the full middle school experience -- including learning some life lessons along the way. Like most middle schoolers, I'm sure if you asked him directly, he'd probably describe it as "mid." But as a parent, I can say it gave him structure, challenge, good teachers, and a strong enough foundation to feel prepared for high school.
Overall, we are grateful for our experience at Lawrence. It is not perfect, but it is a school with good people, strong programs, and staff who genuinely care. For our family, Lawrence helped prepare our son for high school, and we are thankful for that as he gets ready to begin his next chapter at Oak Park High School. read more