Alliance proudly serves scholars within the public school system in Los Angeles as a network of public charter schools authorized by the Los Angeles Unified School District. The LA school system operates differently from many districts across the country, so let’s break down what makes it unique and how families navigate their options within it.
Scope and Scale of LAUSD
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is one of the largest public school systems in the nation, serving a vast and diverse population across the city of Los Angeles and surrounding communities.
LAUSD includes:
- 710 square miles
- 4.8 million city residents
- 45 Unified school districts
- 1500+ schools
- 83,000+ employees
- Average of 400,000-550,000 students annually
With this scale comes both opportunity and complexity. The district is governed by an elected Board of Education and led by a Superintendent. The Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization is a publicly elected committee that manages decisions about district organization and territories. The financial and educational services for the county are supported by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
Family Preference
In most school districts in the United States, students are assigned to school districts purely by residential address and have no choice in the process. Unlike this default system, LAUSD incorporates student preferences into the equation.
LAUSD operates within a school choice framework. Families may choose to apply to a range of programs that best meet their child’s needs, such as:
- Magnet programs
- Public charter schools, includingAlliance College-Ready Public Schools
- Dual-language immersion programs
- Gifted and high-ability pathways
- STEM academies
There are some communities within the geographical boundaries of Los Angeles that have strict district assignments, such as Torrance, Beverly Hills, and Arcadia. Other than those exceptions, families have a broader range of choice in LA County than most other districts.
Trends Over Time
In recent years, LAUSD has experienced declining enrollment, driven by factors such as rising housing costs, shifting demographics, the lasting effects of COVID-19, and now, immigration raids. As enrollment decreases, so does funding, creating real challenges for schools working to serve students at the highest level.
These shifts have deepened the importance of community-centered support systems—shifts schools and organizations like Alliance take seriously. Across Los Angeles, we are seeing real investments in:
- Mental health and legal resources
- Attendance and re-engagement efforts
- Family support services
Alliance: A Charter Network in LAUSD
Alliance operates as a nonprofit network of public charter schools in Los Angeles, serving scholars within the broader LAUSD system.
Because charter schools are considered public schools in California, all Alliance schools are funded by LASUD public funds and are free for all scholars. Through the Los Angeles school choice system, any family can choose to apply to an Alliance school through the regular application process.
. Alliance serves:
- 25 Total Schools
- 16 High Schools
- 9 Middle Schools
- 12,000+ scholars
- 8 California Distinguished High Schools (2026)
The Los Angeles public school system is complex, but at its core, families have agency. Within that system, Alliance exists to expand what’s possible for scholars in historically underserved communities within the district. By combining academic rigor, innovative programming, and community-rooted support, Alliance schools are designed to help scholars thrive in the classroom and beyond.
Sources:
CBS News: Two Los Angeles educational institutions team up to help students in midst of immigration raids
The Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Foundation
Los Angeles County Public School District Overview
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Fingertip Facts for LAUSD
Alliance – Our Schools
LA Enrollment is Dropping