Magnet Program

Kester Avenue Magnet is a Gifted/High Ability Magnet. The curriculum is aligned to the LAUSD Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE). Kester Magnet offers a challenging and enriched learning environment designed to meet the needs of gifted and high ability students. 

Kester Avenue Magnet has been consistently named an Excelling Magnet Program by LAUSD’s Office of Integration.  We celebrate the diversity in our classrooms and the perspectives that diversity brings to our educational environment. 

 

Our vision at Kester Gifted/High Ability Magnet is to cultivate a dynamic learning community where gifted and high-achieving students are inspired to think critically, create innovatively, and engage deeply with the world around them using a lens that highlights multiple perspectives and ethical considerations. Our goal is to design an integrated curriculum that emphasizes inquiry, innovation, and real-world problem-solving, while blending engineering design, musical expression, and core academic excellence to empower students to deepen their understanding across all disciplines while nurturing their social-emotional growth. Every learning experience is intentionally designed to align with our magnet theme of gifted education. We strengthen problem-solving skills and cultivate intellectual rigor through the use of depth and complexity thought processes, universal themes, and the use of content imperatives to promote critical and creative thinking in all subject areas. We support students in their development of emotional resilience through daily growth mindset activities and collaborative experiences in all subject areas that prepare students for the real world. We challenge students to explore complex ideas, celebrate diverse perspectives, and contribute meaningfully to their world as compassionate, curious, and capable lifelong learners. Through our dynamic and balanced curriculum, students develop the confidence and capacity to innovate, lead, and contribute meaningfully as compassionate and imaginative thinkers of the future.

 

Where is Kester Magnet? Kester Magnet is located in Sherman Oaks approximately 2 blocks east of Sepulveda Blvd. and 2 blocks south of Burbank Blvd. The 405 (San Diego) and 101 (Ventura) Freeways are in close proximity to the school.

 

What is the educational focus of the Kester Magnet staff? Our staff is dedicated to seeing that our children develop to their fullest potential as students and as citizens.  We welcome the partnership of involved parents to achieve this goal. The Gifted and High Ability Magnet teachers keep abreast of new research, instructional strategies and curriculum developed by attending training sessions regarding gifted/high ability learners.  Our teachers receive extensive training, and are required to take sixteen hours of continuing education each year. 

 

What about transportation? Every effort will be made to provide transportation for students selected for the magnet. The District will attempt to provide convenient pick-up and drop-off points with reasonable travel time. No transportation will be provided if students live within a three-mile radius of Kester Magnet.

 

How many classes does Kester Magnet have? Kester Magnet has 218 students in 9 classrooms in grades 1-5. There is one first-grade class, and two each of second, third, fourth, and fifth-grade classrooms.

 

How can I get more information about the school? To learn more about the program at Kester Magnet, please call (818) 787-6751 and we will be happy to answer your questions.

 

 

GIFTED/HIGH ABILITY MAGNET APPLICATION REQUIREMENT & PROCESS:

• Since the Kester Avenue Magnet is a Gifted/High Ability Magnet, there are a few additional required steps to the application process.
• Kester Avenue Magnet, students must be either identified gifted by LAUSD -OR- verified eligible for a gifted magnet program (occurs Fall). Please talk to your child’s current teacher and school to prepare for application.
• Apply during the magnet open enrollment period through LAUSD Choices. http://echoices.lausd.net or by calling 1-213-241-4177 or 1-213-241-6572)