Admissions Criteria for the 2021-2022 School Year

Due to COVID, we will be modifying our assessment and admissions criteria for the 2021-2022 school year to ensure the safety and well-being of all prospective students and their families.

If an applicant meets ALL of the following criteria, the student will NOT be required to take the assessment test and will automatically be entered into the eChoices lottery:

applicant is designated as Gifted, Highly Gifted, or Highly Gifted Applicable (intellectual verification only)
2019-2020 Final Report Card must have 4’s or A’s (elementary school and secondary school, respectively) in all academic classes*
2020-2021 First Report Card must have 4’s or A’s (elementary school and secondary school, respectively) in all academic classes*
2018-2019 SBAC scores must be within the “Advanced” range for both English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Current LAUSD students DO NOT need to submit the above documents as these are already on file with the district.

*Academic Classes consist of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies

Non-LAUSD applicants will need to submit the following required documents:

Final report card from the 2019-2020 school year
10-week report card from the current 2020-2021 school year
Most recent SBAC scores available

Submit Here

Taking the Assessment Test

Applicants who do not meet the above criteria will be required to take the mandatory assessment test.

The Mandatory Assessment Test will be given ONLINE Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 9:00AM-11:00AM. The link for the exam will be emailed to applicants.

In addition to the mandatory assessment test, applicants may also be required to have an online interview. Each applicant’s assessment results, grades, and standardized test scores will be evaluated to determine if an interview will be scheduled.

Frequently Asked Questions for the 2021-2022 Admissions Criteria

If my child meets all the criteria and goes directly into the lottery, does this mean they have been accepted into the Science Academy?

NO. Once you are in the lottery, all students will be selected by the Magnet Lottery process. Selection notification are generally sent out in March.

If my child does not pass the assessment test, can they still go into the lottery if they meet the other criteria?

Any student who meets all four of the criteria OR passes the test and possible interview can proceed to the Magnet Lottery.

If my child does not have any Magnet points, can they still apply?

YES. Everyone is encouraged to apply. Magnet points are not a guarantee for acceptance.

If my child goes to a Non-LAUSD or private school and does not have these documents, can they still apply to The Science Academy?

YES. Any student who lives within the LAUSD boundaries may apply. Any student who applies without these documents MUST take the assessment test and have a possible online interview.

If my child passes the test or other criteria, but does not get accepted in the lottery, will they remain on a wait list for The Science Academy?

If you indicated a 2nd and/or 3rd choice school, your child will continue in the lottery process with these schools. Your child will NOT be placed on the Science Academy waitlist.

What happens if my child passes the test or other criteria, but does not get selected in the initial lottery and does not have a 2nd or 3rd choice school?

If your child does not initially get selected in the lottery and did not indicate a 2nd and/or 3rd school choice, they will attend their home school while remaining on our wait list.

What happens if my child does not pass the assessment?

If you indicated a 2nd and/or 3rd choice school and your child does not pass the assessment, your 2nd choice will automatically become your 1st choice and you will not lose any Magnet points. If you did not indicate a 2nd and/or 3rd choice schools, your child will have to attend your home area school and wait for the Late Application process to apply to a different school if you wish.

Can my child take the assessment test more than once?

NO. Students may only take the assessment test once in an enrollment year. Those who do not pass will have to wait for the following year and take the test again for the corresponding grade level that they will be entering.

If my child has a sibling attending The Science Academy, do they have a better chance of being accepted?

All students must meet the Admissions Criteria to get into the lottery, whether they have siblings in the program or not. Once in the lottery, additional sibling points will be factored in.

If I have more than one child applying to The Science Academy at the same time, do they have the same chances of getting in?

Only those students who meet the Admissions Criteria may be eligible for admission, regardless and independent of sibling application.

Can I get my child's assessment test results?

We do not provide the specific results of the assessment to anyone. You will be notified, via email, as to whether or not your child has passed the test and is eligible to continue to the lottery.

What will happen if I am offered admission to the Science Academy and do not accept?

If you decline any LAUSD Magnet school offer, you will lose your Magnet points.

When considering applying for The Science Academy STEM Magnet, please keep in mind that we are a seven-year articulated college-preparatory school which adopts advanced methodologies in teaching and learning in STEM. Our school allows students the opportunity to explore non-conventional learning styles in an innovative atmosphere. Our learning modules are rigorous with the intensity of a college-bound curriculum. High School level curriculum begins in the 6th grade and College level curriculum begins in the 7th grade. It should be understood that the curriculum will not be altered and that students will be expected to adhere to the academic policies of The Science Academy STEM Magnet. This consists of active parent participation and diligent observance by the students that includes the expectation of daily studying, completion of all assignments (on time and as necessary), and a commitment to maintaining a B average or above in all classes. Finally, it must be clearly understood that all students will be expected to attend all classes regularly and on time.