International School of Los Angeles facts for kids

The International School of Los Angeles (also known as LILA) is a private school in California. It welcomes students from age 4 to 18. This school is special because it is an International school.

LILA is officially recognized by several important groups. These include the French Ministry of Education and the International Baccalaureate. It is also accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

School History

The International School of Los Angeles started in 1978. It was first called the College d'Etudes Françaises (CEF). Later, it became the Lycée International de Los Angeles (LILA). In 2015, the school officially changed its name to the International School of Los Angeles.

The school's founders were Monique Mickus, Jacques Gaspart, and Pierrette Gaspart. They were from France. Because of their background, they chose the French education system for the school. This system became the main way students learned.

When the school first opened, it had only five students. These students were the children of the founders. By 1990, the school had grown to 225 students. These students were spread across three different campuses. By 2001, the number of students grew even more to 650. They attended classes on five campuses.

School Campuses

The International School of Los Angeles has five campuses. There is a nursery school campus in Los Feliz. There are also primary schools in Pasadena, West Valley, and Los Feliz. The secondary school campus is located in Burbank.

When students finish primary school, they move to the Burbank campus. This is where they start their secondary education. Students from the Los Feliz, Pasadena, and West Valley primary schools all go to Burbank. The main office for the school is also at the Burbank campus.

Los Feliz Primary School Campus

Original Midtown School buildings

This is the biggest of the five campuses. It is a special building designed by architect John Lautner. The buildings were built in 1960. They have a low design, which is good for children.

The campus is in the Franklin Hills area of Los Angeles. It covers six acres of land. The buildings are used for offices, classrooms, and science labs. There are also art rooms and computer labs. A large field is used for sports like football. There are also several play areas for students.

Pasadena Primary School Campus

The Pasadena campus is located near Pasadena City College. It has a two-story building with 11 classrooms. There is also a library with books in two languages. Students can use a computer lab for research.

The campus has outdoor areas for eating and playing. A separate room is used for music classes and other activities. There is also an auditorium for student performances.

West Valley Primary School Campus

The West Valley Campus has three main buildings. It also has two extra buildings called modular buildings. One of these modular buildings holds a library. The other modular building has a computer lab with 22 computers. It also has a small indoor gym. The main buildings on this campus have high ceilings.

Burbank Secondary School Campus

The Burbank campus opened in August 2013. It is in the Equestrian district of Burbank. This area is known for its horse-friendly zoning and parks. The campus is on Riverside Drive, a street with many trees.

The building was built in the 1960s by General Motors Corporation. It was used for training purposes. Today, it has 23 classrooms and four labs. There is also an auditorium and an art room. Students can use an indoor sports room. There are also outdoor volleyball and basketball courts. School buses take students between Burbank and the primary campuses.

Former Campuses

The International School of Los Angeles used to have other campuses. One was in Monrovia. It served students from Kindergarten to grade 6. This campus moved to Pasadena in 2006.

The school also had a campus in Woodland Hills. This campus closed in 2001. It was in a building rented from the Los Angeles Unified School District.

There were also campuses in Orange County. These included Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, and Orange. The Orange campus moved to Santa Ana in 2005.

Sports at School

Students at the International School of Los Angeles can play many sports. These include Rugby 7s, soccer, tennis, volleyball, track and field, and fencing.

Academics and Learning

The International School of Los Angeles follows the French Ministry of Education's program. It teaches students in two languages. This means students learn in both French and English. Learning two languages has many proven benefits. The school also wants students to be active in their learning. This means students help create their own understanding and knowledge.

The school offers two main diplomas. Students can earn the French Baccalauréat. They can also earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma. By the end of primary school, students learn to read, write, and speak both French and English. The amount of time spent on each language changes for different grade levels. This helps meet both French and American education standards.

The school does not separate students based on their main language. Instead, it aims to mix all students together. This helps everyone learn from each other.

Students can also learn other languages besides French and English. The school also offers the French Brevet des collèges diploma. All secondary students must complete 150 hours of community service. This helps them become good world citizens.

In 2015, the Washington Post newspaper ranked the school highly. It was 11th among the most challenging private high schools in the US.

Students, teachers, and staff at the school come from many countries. Over 50 different nationalities are represented. People speak 39 different languages at home. This helps students understand that everyone is a citizen of one world. Small class sizes also help students get personal attention.

Graduates from the International School of Los Angeles go to universities around the world. Some of these include Harvard University, Princeton University, and Stanford University. They also attend the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.