Dear Families & Friends of Playa del Rey,

Welcome to Playa del Rey Elementary School for Advanced Studies (SAS), the Jewel of the Westside!  The School for Advanced Studies (SAS) at Playa del Rey Elementary School is a special program designed to support the development of gifted and high achieving students within our school setting. Schools must undertake a rigorous review process to achieve SAS status. Teachers and administrators at SAS schools are required to participate in additional professional development and training, and individual students must meet the same eligibility criteria as LAUSD’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program. As participants, students receive instruction with added complexity and depth designed to keep them engaged and challenged.  Starting in kindergarten, any eligible student who resides within LAUSD boundaries may apply to Playa del Rey’s SAS Program on a space-available basis. Unlike the GATE magnet programs, no transportation is provided for SAS students. 

If you want your child to participate in Playa’s SAS program, please complete the 2012-2013 SAS application along with a letter of recommendation from the student’s school teacher or administator and return to school starting Monday, April 9, 2012 for review. If you have any questions, please contact Chryssa Elliott, GATE/SAS Coordinator at (310) 827-3560 or crm6560@lausd.net.

Here at Playa del Rey, each child is valued as an individual and is given the opportunity to spread his or her wings in a safe, loving, and academically challenging environment.  We are a community of life long learners, growing together to provide the best education possible in a beautiful natural setting.

Playa del Rey presents students with a diversity of excellent programs.  In addition to an exceptional inquiry-based academic program, we offer a comprehensive arts experience that includes Visual Arts, Choral Music, Theatre Arts, Dance, and Orchestra.  Our free after-school programs provides daily homework assistance and enhance and enrich student learning through hands-on learning experiences.
 
We continue to be recognized for community service programs.  Students perform community service both on and off campus, learning the importance of making a contribution towards a better society.  Our organic learning garden provides students with a place to put their learning into practice.  We have garnered support of many local organizations, including the Playa Vista Educational Trust, which provides scholarships to our 5th grade students, as well as supporting ongoing arts programs.  Our active and devoted Booster Club (Friends of Playa) hosts many fundraising events including the annual CARE 5K race.  

I invite you to come and experience Playa del Rey as a volunteer or simply as a visitor.  I believe you will agree that no other school can compare when you discover all that Playa del Rey has to offer. This is one very special place.


Sincerely,

Valencia Blue, Principal

The city of Los Angeles honors Playa del Rey Elementary School for high achieving API scores and exemplary work. Principal Blue, Mrs. Elliott-Teacher/GATE Coordinator, and Parent Volunteers-Mrs. Nwabuzor, Mrs. Lee accepts achievement recognition award.