Moving to the Van Nuys with kids? The San Fernando Valley area is known for its great schools, which foster learning and encourage parent involvement. You’ll find many high-quality and award-winning schools in the community, but the sheer number of options can be overwhelming!
Van Nuys is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and many independent charter school districts like Magnolia Public Schools, Citizens of the World Charter Schools, and Valley Charter Schools.
Generally, new students can enroll in their neighborhood school at any time. Neighborhood schools are based on attendance zones. You can also choose alternatives to your assigned public school to select the right learning environment for your child.
A good place for parents to start is the LAUSD enrollment page to explore schools, Zones of Choice, and Choice Programs. The LAUSD School Choice website is a great resource to explore magnet programs, charters, multilingual and multicultural programs, schools for advanced studies, and admission criteria schools in the Van Nuys area.
Ready to get started? Here’s a look at some of the best schools in Van Nuys, CA that may be perfect for your family.
Best High Schools in Van Nuys
Whether your child will flourish best in a neighborhood school, a specialized charter program, or an advanced magnet program, there are many top high schools in Van Nuys to consider.
Serving grades 6 to 12, this Van Nuys charter high school has a 98% graduation rate and a 93% family satisfaction rate. MSA is committed to fostering an environment where students want to learn. Across all MSA campuses, pupils use technology every day with a big emphasis on STEAM education. Kids can participate in school clubs and activities like community service, language, technology, engineering, and performing arts; join competitions and robotics projects; and get hands-on learning in the science lab.
One of the hallmarks of Magnolia Science Academy 2 is its dedication to a robust support program, which includes extended learning, home visits, and parent engagement.
CHAMPS high school is a top-rated Los Angeles high school where pupils benefit from a broad curriculum in academics, performing arts, visual arts, and digital media. It’s one of only two arts high schools that allow students to study from any district in Los Angeles County. To enroll in a specific academy, an audition is required. CHAMPS is home to nine academies:
- Cinema
- Dance
- Digital Media
- Fine Arts
- Instrumental Music
- Programming and Game Design
- Robotics
- Theatre
- Vocal Music
Parents can use the Parent Portal for the online eligibility application.
The unique charter school was founded in 2005 and has already won numerous awards, including the California Exemplary Arts Education Award (2021) and the national Music Merit Award (2019) from the NAMM Foundation.
- Type: Neighborhood & Magnet
- Enrollment: 2,300
- School Dashboard Report
- Address: 6535 Cedros Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91411-1506
Most of Van Nuys and parts of Sherman Oaks, Victory Park, and Magnolia Woods are zoned for Van Nuys High School. It’s also home to three impressive magnet programs:
- Science, Technology & Math Magnet
- Medical Magnet
- Performing Arts Magnet
Van Nuys High School was named one of the top 20 National Magnet Schools of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America from nearly 4,000 magnets across the country. It has the highest AP passing rate in Los Angeles USD with 27 AP courses. Since 1995, the high school’s SAT scores have been among the district’s highest. Along with its magnet programs, Van Nuys Senior High boats 7 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, 9 academic teams, 64 organizations and clubs, and 22 sports teams.
- Type: Neighborhood, Magnet, and School for Advanced Studies
- Enrollment: 1,250
- School Dashboard Report
- Address: 7477 Kester Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91405
One of the best magnet high schools in Van Nuys, Robert Fulton College Preparatory, is home to the School for Advanced Studies and Communication Arts and Music Magnet (CAMM). The magnet program for grades 6 to 12 prepares children with the skills they need for a career in journalism, graphic design, or entertainment. The Sociology Academy of Schools program is a School for Advanced Studies (SAS). High schoolers can graduate with an associate’s degree in sociology with free advanced learning opportunities.
Outside of its SAS and magnet programs, Robert Fulton has a gifted program with honors and AP courses, a decorated Air Force JROTC program, and a music program that won the 2017 Grammy Signature School Award.
Van Nuys Middle Schools & Elementary Schools
With many highly rated elementary and middle schools, you'll have no trouble finding the right Van Nuys school for your kids.
- Type: Neighborhood, Magnet, and School for Advanced Studies
- Enrollment: 900
- School Dashboard Report
- Address: 5435 Vesper Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91411
One of the best magnet schools in the San Fernando Valley, Van Nuys Middle School is home to SAS and magnet programs. Valley Environmental Academy (VEA), is a School for Advanced Studies for gifted students. The STEAM Magnet program has about 235 children enrolled with a dedicated magnet staff of instructors. VNMS won the 2023 Magnet Schools of America National Award of Merit Distinction!
Valley Charter Middle School has a mission to bring learning to life. Kids learn in small class sizes with a focus on meaningful project-based learning and the social-emotional and academic tools they need to thrive. VCS uses a “diverse-by-design” model to foster understanding, empathy, and compassion.
At ACS, there is a focus on the whole person to support development into productive citizens. Every student is treated as an individual and given additional support wherever it’s needed. All students attend weekly specialist-led classes in Armenian and Spanish language, culture, computer science, and music. Kids have many opportunities to learn cultural awareness and understanding and the six pillars of character.
Ararat Charter School has a split campus with K-1 at the private facility. Grades 2-5 attend the location at the Erwin Street Elementary School campus.
GALS LA is an all-girls charter middle school in the Panorama High School. It’s the only all-girls public charter middle school in California! The school empowers girls to succeed, lead, and thrive with passionate teachers, rigorous academics, strong athletics, and social-emotional and movement-based learning. Students graduate ready to reach their potential, pursue their passions, and take their place in the community.
Best Private Schools in Van Nuys
There are tons of San Fernando Valley private schools with great reviews from families. Here are some of the top private schools in Van Nuys at a glance whether you’re looking for secular or non-secular options. Make sure you take a tour or attend an open house to visit and get a feel for the environment and make sure it’s the right setting for your child!
- Grades: 1-8
- Affiliation: Secular
The Valley Waldorf City School is dedicated to delivering affordable private education to children in the San Fernando Valley. The school uses a curriculum inspired by Rudolf Steiner founded on the belief that Waldorf education is an art form.
A Waldorf teacher goes beyond academics to provide a sense of wonder, imagination, and interest in children. Core academics are taught through experimental and imaginative lessons from a main teacher and specialist instructors. This education model also focuses on creating a community by supporting young people and helping them move forward as confident, productive adults.
- Grades: PK-8
- Affiliation: Secular
Valley School is a private Van Nuys elementary and middle school recognized for its advanced curriculum, small class sizes, and sense of family. The campus is designed to ensure kids can discover, explore, and learn with hands-on activities, technology, and a STEAM lab. The facilities have been updated recently to support the mission of providing pupils with a challenging and well-rounded education to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Pupils score in the top 10% on state exams with well above ratings on local and national standards!
- Grades: 9-12
- Affiliation: Roman Catholic
St. Genevieve High is part of St. Genevieve Parish Schools, which serves students from kindergarten through high school. The coed middle and high school offers a college prep curriculum with many Honors and Advanced Placement courses, an advanced math academy, and a Dual Enrollment program. Students can also participate in a variety of clubs and activities covering fitness, athletics, academic enrichment, music, performing arts, and volunteering.
- Grades: PK-12
- Affiliation: Secular
The International School of Los Angeles, or LILA, is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school accredited by the French Ministry of Education. Students receive a French immersion education in preparation for the French Baccalauréat. A separate international high school track prepares students for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
There are four campuses with more than 38 languages spoken by over 1,000 enrolled students. Along with its rigorous academics, LILA has a robust athletics program. LILA Lions competitive and non-competitive teams include volleyball, soccer, roller hockey, tennis, and more.
- Grades: K-5
- Affiliation: Secular
Located in the prestigious Woodland Hills community, WHPS serves K-5 students with a curriculum that encourages children to investigate, ask questions, self-reflect, and set goals to become lifelong learners. Over 90% of students are accepted into their first-choice middle school.
Van Nuys School FAQs
What Is the Best School District in Van Nuys?
Van Nuys is served by only one public school district: Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Top charter school districts are Magnolia Science Academy, CHAMPS High School, and Valley Charter Schools.
What Is the Best High School in Van Nuys?
CHAMPS – Charter High School of the Arts is one of the best Van Nuys high schools for visual and performing arts, and Magnolia Science Academy is a top choice for STEAM education. Van Nuys Senior High School is overall the best Van Nuys school. It consistently has among the highest SAT scores in LA and three award-winning magnet programs that have earned it a rating as one of the country’s top 20 magnet schools.
Does Van Nuys Have Good Schools?
Yes, Van Nuys offers a great education with many award-winning high schools, including top charter and magnet schools with STEM/STEAM, performing arts, and language programs.
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