Ernest Lawrence Middle School

10100 Variel Ave.

School District

Los Angeles Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Los Angeles Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by student on November 26, 2024

I'm in the pioneering science magnet for the school year. All the teachers that I have are really good.
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2023

It's day 1 of my daughter's school year in the pioneering science program. She has 2 classes with no teachers and was removed from her honors classes after raising concerns of threats being made by another student. Principal cares very little for your student....be mindful of the fact that when bullying occurs here, you're on your own. Principal advised us he was creating a "safety plan" for our daughter. I guess that meant kicking her out of the classes she worked hard to get into. It's been 4 months since the reporting and no follow up or "plan" has been made. I'm enrolling my daughter in kickboxing so when the bully shows up again, she can take care of it on her own. I guess if there's a reason for the 1 star it's that you've made my daughter realize that you're on your own in this world...its toughened her up a bit.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2023

I have a child in the Pioneering Science Magnet, overall we have been happy with LMS and the friends she has made there. They seem to be moving towards not keeping the magnet kids in separate classes from the rest of the school which makes me uneasy, since this is THE REASON parents apply to the magnet program. Most of the teachers she has have been excellent, very knowledgeable and genuinely care about the kids. (Though some of the teachers who were new/relatively new during the pandemic are still struggling.) They have new administrators who seem enthusiastic to work with the teachers and parents. I’m not familiar with most of the electives, but they do offer art, computers, Korean, music, and tech crew. In a time when many other schools have gotten rid of their arts classes, it’s nice to see things like that being offered.
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2023

We express our deepest gratitude to all of Bella’s 6th to 8th Grade teachers at Ernest Lawrence Middle School in Chatsworth, California who have contributed to shaping and honing her innate skill sets and enhancing her self confidence.No less noteworthy is the support that was provided by the school’s Assistant Principal, Carlos Renderos, Isabella’s 8th Grade Homeroom Advisory, Kevin Takeuchi, 8th Grade ELA Teacher, Laurie Willinger, and Magnet Coordinator, Judy-Jones Chandler. Bella will soon be taking the first of a thousand steps towards the future that she envisions for herself - by using a path that only a few have been given access to but which has now been opened for her.Earning a four-year full scholarship grant from a prestigious international school in Pasadena is no mean feat but Bella did it with, of course, abundant guidance and inspiration from the Lord.To God be all the glory!Ma Dolores Laxamana Rodriguez, Mother if Isabella Daniella Laxamana Bermudez
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2023

We express our deepest gratitude to all of Bella’s 6th to 8th Grade teachers at Ernest Lawrence Middle School in Chatsworth, California who have contributed to shaping and honing her innate skill sets and enhancing her self confidence.No less noteworthy is the support that was provided by the school’s Assistant Principal, Carlos Renderos, Isabella’s 8th Grade Homeroom Advisory, Kevin Takeuchi, 8th Grade ELA Teacher, Laurie Willinger, and Magnet Coordinator, Judy-Jones Chandler. Bella will soon be taking the first of a thousand steps towards the future that she envisions for herself - by using a path that only a few have been given access to but which has now been opened for her.Earning a four-year full scholarship grant from a prestigious international school in Pasadena is no mean feat but Bella did it with, of course, abundant guidance and inspiration from the Lord.To God be all the glory!Ma Dolores Laxamana Rodriguez, Mother of Isabella Daniella Laxamana Bermudez
Submitted by student on March 09, 2023

My experience has been great at Lawrence Middle School. You are able to make friends easily and there is so much to do. I am in the Gifted Magnet and couldn't be any happier. The teachers are excellent and the students are kind. If you ever get lost or your confused on a certain subject, you can either ask the teacher or a nearby classmate. Overall its been a great experience....if your looking for a school with a great highly gifted magnet program....then this is the school for you!
Submitted by student on February 28, 2023

My experience at Lawrence has been amazing so far, and I can't wait for more to come. This school has allowed me to make many friends easily and be in a great learning environment. I'm in the gifted magnet program, and I highly recommend it - the teachers are amazing and make sure all students are engaged and learning a new thing/topic every day. The community has been good overall, and even though there are some school fights (like every middle school), counselors and staff make sure to prevent these and promote 'no-bullying.' Also, we have many great electives like Leadership, Stage Crew, AVID, computer science, and 2 language electives (Spanish & Korean), etc. For 6th graders, we have a program for them, called PRIDE, that helps them transition into middle school and get used to it (this is taught by 7th & 8th graders). Overall, I definitely recommend this school, and hope to enjoy my last couple of months!
Submitted by student on February 28, 2023

This school provides great preparation for challenging high schools such as Granada's IB or AP programs, as long as you are in the Gifted Magnet Program. The magnet teachers, for the most part, care about the kids. I am not sure about the resident program but am very happy with the magnet. You still have the let downs of being part of LAUSD but thats pretty unavoidable if you live in Los Angelas, and as far as things go it doesn't affect things at all as a student. 6th Grade is a big year because you get used to the magnet life, and have alot of homework. 7th Grade has a star teacher list, and 8th grade has some great teachers too. My biggest plus is the leadership program, which is five stars in my opinion. It really makes you feel like a family and you have so many oppurtunities to volunteer and help incoming students. It's definitly further on the evolutionary track of leadership than any other school I've seen. This school overall is great at preparing me for highschool and beyond.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2022

Such a horrible experience at this school. Teachers and staff are rude. Phone calls are never returned. Teachers are stressed yes, doesn’t give them to the right to discriminate and argue with kids or call them out to embarrass them in front of class. Bullies exist here! They are Harassers and go just to start trouble because they don’t get in trouble or liable for it! They hire young security guards that aren’t professional at all and are still in the mind set of liking drama amongst the kids! The school is a joke. Principal only cares about attendance and is combative with parents. I’ve seen her argue with them in front of me. Such a let down and glad we didn’t go back!
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2022

There seems to be a theme of constant bullying and violence on campus but no accountability or control. None of the administration responded to our concerns about our son being constantly bullied until we mentioned the press. The intervention coordinator doesn't seem to have the control she needs to help with the poor behavior on campus. Too many adults turn a blind eye because no one wants to deal with it. He has come home with bruises, cuts, broken computer, food and lunchbox thrown at him and still, it's still happening. The leadership is lacking at this middle school and it's unfortunate because it's one of the main secondary schools in Chatsworth. Everything has gone down, pretty campus with dirty secrets.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2022

So soI found that there are many fights, and bullying and some poor behavior in the school.
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2021

The principal is so unprofessional Ms Maria Pigliapoco . She treats the with such disrespect and harasses over little things when they work so hard. Does not seem to care about the students just as long as they attend. She is always on the phone with personal calls and ignores students as well as parents. It seems like she is being paid to do her own personal business. She makes it difficult to meet with her and doesn't show real concern for your child.when you complain about other students mistreatment. of your child
Submitted by teacher on November 29, 2019

I am happy to award this school five stars
Submitted by teacher on October 10, 2019

Teachers are amazing! There is discipline and they always help if you let them know what you need.
Submitted by other on April 23, 2018

I am very happy I moved my child schools. the admin could care less about you child or their problems. the bulling is out of control, any concerns a parent might have will be swept under the rug. this school should be turned into a continuation for all of the corrupt kids.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2018

10. My son was in the Magnet program. It prepares them for high school.
Submitted by other on July 02, 2017

We have great teachers, parents, classified staff and administrators.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2017

Front staff is rude, teachers don't respond to emails and one of my child's teachers is promoting Christianity in the classroom. Can't wait to leave this school.
Submitted by other on March 24, 2017

If I could give this a zero-star rating, I would. This school's gone downhill since my time there, and it wasn't doing good then either.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2017

This school is pathetic!! And unfortunately the main problems of the school are the Principal Maria Pigliapoco and Assistant Principal Amie Whiteley. It's a shame that two bitter people who are only there for the paycheck can make the entire school and staff toxic.