Millikan MS vs. Walter Reed

mom2ojgh, I assume you meen Portola Magnet?

Make sure you go on tours of both facilities, if possible, with your child. I know kids at Portola, and teachers who teach there, and I also hear quite good things about Walter Reed.

Junior high is the tough transition, so where your child is going to feel the best is truly a big consideration.

Also find out how well students can transition between the needs of the different communities. If a students wishes to take an elective offered only at another academy will the overall school accommodate that? Small is great until your child is faced with less-than-desirable choices.

Also while you're looking for more concrete information on these schools, make sure you check askamagnetyenta.wordpress.com.

Anonymous, can you share the "personal reasons" you didn't consider the Reed IHP? We are weighing between IHP and Portola right now... I'd be interested in what you know, if you'll share. Thanks.

If your student is tested hghly gifted why did you not consider Portola Magnet? Not choosing IHP WHY?
My older child was strangled in her PE class at Millikan and the school refused to call the police so that was her last day in public school.
For my second child I will select (apply) either Reed IHP or Portola because it meets the needs of my child .
What school best meets your childs needs?

I have taught at both Millikan and Walter Reed, my son attended Millikan under the direction of Dr. Norm Issacs. Now that Reed is back on a traditional schedule, both schools are comparable in staffing and, in my opinion, variety of elective options. Reed does NOT have a magnet but does have a number of smaller learning communities (academies) and outstanding, award-winning music programs. That, coupled with the number of advanced placement classes taught by caring experts, an excellent Special Education department and forward thinking administsration that has expanded parent/community involvement, makes Reed my choice. My daughter went to Harvard-Westlake for two years then chose to audition for and finished HS at the LA County High School for the Arts. SOCES is a small, specific school. I've taught students who, for various reasons, could not get through middle school there. Some were given opportunity transfers, some chose to return to their home school. One went for the IHP at Reed.