BEETHOVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

3711 Beethoven Street, Los Angeles, CA 90066 

310-398-6286 

Your Neighborhood School Since 1949

Home of the Bears

 

 

We are excited to share with you some of the unique features and programs our school has to offer you and your children. 

 

Beethoven Elementary School is a California Distinguished School and was called, “the best of the best” by Jack O’Connell, the State Superintendent. Beethoven is a much-desired small school, with an enrollment of under 400 students in grades K-5.  

 

Our school population represents a rich diversity of ethnic, language and cultural backgrounds. It is an honor to work with our brilliant and highly experienced staff, enthusiastic and supportive parents, and wonderful children.  

 

As a graduate of both UCLA and USC, I lead with a collaborative spirit and an eye on always improving our academic performance while transforming the campus into a beautiful learning environment.  At Beethoven Elementary, students receive an excellent academic education alongside extensive enrichment programs in the arts and both physical and personal development.

 

Beethoven’s mission is to foster a cooperative learning environment in which the school, family and business communities work together with mutual respect and full awareness of cultural diversity, to encourage each student’s personal development and maximum academic achievement.

Beethoven is honored to have a wonderful, dedicated faculty and staff. With average teaching experience of 15 years, our faculty comes with a great range of hands-on and educational background. Our Teachers inspire our students by combining classroom experience with the most effective academic philosophies. Teachers, administrators and volunteers work as a collaborative team in support of each individual student’s academic achievement. This student-centered approach helps meet the individual needs of each child.

On behalf of our PTA and Friends of Beethoven, we welcome you and your family to a great school. We are excited to share with you some of the unique and wonderful things our school has to offer you and your children.  Beethoven Elementary is not only a place where your child will learn and grow but also a place where teachers, students and parents work together to enhance your child’s education. We are happy to say that we have a very active and committed group of parents, teachers, and administrators continuing to apply for grants and solicit community support as we transform Beethoven. Beethoven strives to be the best school possible for the children and families that are here today and for future generations to come. 

Beethoven is a California Distinguished School, a Title I High Academic Achievement School and a California Business For Excellence Honor Roll School.

 

Beethoven ranks 9 out of 10 statewide and 10 out of 10 when compared to similar schools in California’s most recent API (Academic Performance Index). A current API of 888 places Beethoven in the top tier of elementary schools in Los Angeles.

 

Beethoven stresses the fundamentals of math and reading, including several one-on-one reading programs:

• The Los Angeles Times Reading by 9 program
• The Los Angeles Jewish Coalition for Literacy; Koreh LA
• Windward School Community Service Project
• Reading is Fundamental (RIF)
• Wonder of Reading Volunteer Program

We have partnerships with Harvard Westlake, Venice High School and Mark Twain for Language Arts and Math tutoring.  Beethoven offers a phenomenal arts enrichment program; the PS Arts Foundation (from Crossroads) provides, Art, Drama, and Music teachers for all grade levels. In addition, the APS Program provides Theater, Dance and Visual arts. Additionally, Beethoven offers a GATE (the Gifted and Talented Education) program.

 

We have the “Share and Care Through Art” program funded by Cedars-Sinai, an art therapy program for students who need support to get through a trying school related situation or personal crisis. Playwriting funded by The Young Storytellers Foundation. This program teams mentors with students to write a stage play and brings in professional actors to perform the play.

Our teachers ensure that every child receives the best reading instruction. This structured program is systematic and provides explicit scaffolding of skills that build upon each other. Through Treasures, our reading program, our students become confident and successful readers and critical thinkers.

Math instruction is based on the California Content Standards in Mathematics. Math concepts are taught using a variety of materials. The standards-based instruction incorporates manipulatives, intervention materials, technology and provides a concrete approach to meet the needs of a diverse population.

Science is taught using a variety of approaches. Harcourt Science and Foss are implemented to provide our students with experimental learning activities. Every classroom has a raised Garden Box and in partnership with Growing Great, our students have planted, grown, cultivated and eaten some of their own flowers and vegetables.

Beethoven has computers in every classroom and will be implementing a portable laptop computer lab. Each classroom will have a Smartboard for the 2011-2012 school year. Beethoven is giving every student an opportunity to increase their technology awareness and skills while using computers to compliment their core instruction.

Global awareness and multi-cultural learning are stressed in our Social Studies program. Lessons are aligned to the state content standards. Weekly Readers are utilized by teachers to enhance the curriculum. Curricular field trips allow for experiential learning.

P.E. provides students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge positive attitudes and the skills needed to actively maintain their health. The classes include general fitness, team games and fun music exercise. The P.E. program teaches good sportsmanship, which develops into good citizenship. Beethoven student’s physical fitness is one of the highest in the state.

Our Resource Program is an integral part of the Beethoven community. Our team develops an individualized educational program that provides the necessary supplementary aids and services for the student to make steady gains.

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS:

• Smartboards in each class for 2011-2012 school year 
• Portable laptop computer lab for all grade levels
• Free After School Care through STAR Enrichment Program
• Teacher Aides in classrooms 
• Student Play-Leaders
• Parent Leadership Councils
• Student Recognition Awards
• Growing Great Program
• Raised Garden Boxes for each classroom 
• Schoolwide Learning Garden 
• Harvest of the Month 
• Green Team: composting and recycling 
• Instrumental Groups 
• Field Trips 
• Wonder of Reading Library
• Homework Lab 
• Cultural diversity 
• After school Enrichment Classes such as: Mandarin, French, Spanish, Soccer, Gymnastics, Clay, Drama, Sign Language, Golf, Art, Chess, Cub Scouts, Brownie Troop, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts
• Private Kindergarten Yard 
• Beautification Projects
• Opportunities for parents to volunteer inside & outside of the classroom

School wide events include: 

• Beethoven’s Night Out at local restaurants 
• Halloween Parade & Bear ScareFestival 
• Winter Holiday Program 
• Two Scholastic Book Fairs 
• Silent Auction 

2011 Built a school-wide learning garden to add to our existing composting program.

2010 Selected as the only Community School Park in the 11th district and working toward a partnership with AYSO as we implement a brand new full size multi-purpose grass field on our Big Yard. Construction began in Summer 2011. Field opens in Spring 2012

2010 Implemented Beethoven Courtyards - 8 outdoor learning areas with chess tables.

2010 Received the Wonder of Reading Grant to purchase biography books and implement a Famous People reading program.

2008 Beethoven’s Big Yard got a spectacular new play structure from the Anne & Kirk Douglas Foundation. Over 150 trees and shrubs were planted on the Big Yard during our “Big Green” project.

2007 The Community Square is now featured in front of our auditorium. A wonderful environment of additional trees, flowers and greenery was added to Beethoven’s Kinder Yard.

2006 The Learning Terrace is an outdoor-tiered classroom area adjacent to the library.

2003 The DWP Reading Garden and Mural transformed the area just outside the Library. Campus-wide murals have continued to grace and beautify the school.

2002 The Wonder of Reading Library more than doubled the size of the existing library. The Venice Community Artist Association Mosaic Mural, adorns the front entrance to Beethoven School.

Affiliated organizations