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Setting
the standard for public education in the state of
California. |
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Dodson Middle School, which opened in 1960, serves a socio-economically
and racially diverse student body of 1873. Dodson has a
regular magnet school program on its campus. One thousand
four hundred seventeen students are in the regular program
and come from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures
with 15% white, 9% black, 2% Asian and 70% Hispanic.
The single family homes surrounding the school represent
upper middle class families and community. Approximately
150 students come from this area. A larger number of students
live in single family middle income homes. Other students
are from Harbor Hills and Park Western Estates which are
Los Angeles County subsidized housing projects that are
within walking distance of school. Dodson also serves the
community of Wilmington. More than 600 students receive
bus transportation from Wilmington and the Dana Strand subsidized
city housing project.
The school has approximately 52% of its students
on the Federal Meal Program. The Limited English Proficient
(LEP) population is approximately 240 students. An estimated
25% of Dodson's parents do not speak English as a first
language. Although the Spanish language predominates, students
come from at least 25 different countries.
There are two hundred twenty-seven students in the regular Gifted Program.
Five hundred eleven students are enrolled in the Gifted
High Ability Magnet School, part of the Los Angeles Unified School District's
integration program. These students come from more than
40 elementary schools and receive bus transportation from
the entire central and eastern section of Los Angeles. Magnet
students must apply and meet basic requirements. Applicants
are randomly selected by the District's Integration Office
to reflect the district mandate of 70% combined minority
and 30% white. There is also the SAS (School for Advanced Studies) programs which have been implemented to improve educational options and increase professional training to support the development of gifted and talented youth. Here is a sample of our SAS brochure.
The pride in our cultural and socio-economic diversity
creates virtually a gang, crime, and vandal free campus.
Supporting this is the fact that Dodson has never had a
school police officer assigned on campus.
The staff is represented by 90 certificated and 51 classified personnel.
The high morale and cooperative sprit of the parents, students, and
staff are evidenced in their broad and generous volunteer participation
in numerous community and school activities and programs.
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