If you live in the Hollywood Hills, Beachwood Canyon, Franklin Village, Laurel Canyon, or Outpost Estates, your zoned elementary is likely Cheremoya Avenue (22% math, 52% ELA) or Gardner Street (47% math, 57% ELA). Eight minutes away, Wonderland Avenue Gifted Magnet scores 90% math and 93% ELA. That 68-point gap is the largest by geography in our entire 91-school database. It means the difference between the #1 school in our coverage and the bottom quartile is a short drive, a lottery, or a $33K tuition check. This playbook shows you exactly how to navigate each option.
Unlike the Westside (where SMMUSD provides a clear district pipeline) or the Beach Cities (where your home address determines your excellent school), Hollywood Hills has no anchor neighborhood school that most families default to. There is no 'Ivanhoe of Hollywood.' Instead, every family with awareness draws a 15-20 minute radius and shops across five simultaneous pathways.
| Pathway | Best Schools | Cost | Access Method | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAUSD Magnets | Wonderland (90%/93%), LACES (SAT 1300), HHS PAM | $0 | Choices lottery (gifted ID for some) | Nov 14, 2026 (est.) |
| LAUSD Permits | Third Street (89%/89%), Carpenter (83%/82%) | $0 | Intra-district permit application | March (2nd Mon) |
| Charter Lotteries | Larchmont K-12 (SAT 1280), CWC Hollywood (52%/67%) | $0 | School-specific lottery | Feb-Mar |
| Private Schools | The Oaks (6:1), Hollywood Schoolhouse ($22-30K) | $22-36K/yr | Application + interview | Dec-Jan |
| Zoned (default) | Gardner (47%/57%), Cheremoya (22%/52%) | $0 | Automatic enrollment | None |
LAUSD Choices (formerly eChoices) is the unified application system for magnet schools, Schools for Advanced Studies (SAS), dual language programs, and affiliated charter schools across the district. You submit ONE application listing up to three program choices. If selected for your first choice, your other choices are not considered. If not selected, you go on the waitlist for your first choice only. Apply online at choices.lausd.net or by paper through any LAUSD school.
| Magnet School | Grades | Type | Scores | Gifted Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wonderland Ave Gifted Magnet | K-5 | Gifted Magnet | 90%/93% | Yes — gifted ID required |
| LACES | 6-12 | Gifted Magnet | SAT 1300, 94% grad | Yes — gifted ID required |
| Hollywood High PAM | 9-12 | Performing Arts Magnet | 1080 SAT, 90% grad | No — audition/interest |
| Fairfax High VA Magnet | 9-12 | Visual Arts Magnet | 1140 SAT, 89% grad | No — portfolio/interest |
| Bancroft IB/PA Magnet | 6-8 | IB + Performing Arts | 14%/31% (school-wide) | Varies by program |
| When | What to Do | Who Acts |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 2025 | LAUSD Choices brochure released. Begin researching schools. Schedule tours at Wonderland, Third Street, Larchmont, CWC Hollywood, The Oaks, Hollywood Schoolhouse. Request gifted testing if not yet identified. | You |
| Oct 1, 2025 | LAUSD Choices on-time application window OPENS at choices.lausd.net. Apply for Wonderland Gifted Magnet, LACES, Hollywood High PAM, Fairfax VA Magnet, Bancroft IB/PA Magnet, and/or Third Street SAS. | You + LAUSD |
| Nov 14, 2025 | LAUSD Choices on-time application DEADLINE. Applications after this date are late and NOT included in the lottery. | LAUSD deadline |
| Dec 1, 2025 | LAUSD Choices confirmation/correction letters sent. Check your email AND Apply Portal. | LAUSD |
| Dec 5, 2025 | Verification of Eligibility deadline for gifted magnet/SAS applicants. Your school must submit by this date. | Your current school |
LAUSD Choices / Unified Enrollment: choices.lausd.net · apply.lausd.net · (213) 241-4177 · ApplyforSchools@lausd.net · Mail: P.O. Box 513307, Los Angeles, CA 90051 · In person: 333 S. Beaudry Ave, 25th Floor, LA 90017
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