News Summary
A series of wildfires in early January have significantly impacted education in the Los Angeles area, affecting over 725,000 students. Many schools were damaged or destroyed, leading to closures across multiple districts. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom allowed students to enroll in alternative schools, resulting in a minor increase in student transfers. As districts adapt to the new challenges, they are focused on rebuilding and supporting families affected by the fires.
Los Angeles – A series of devastating wildfires in early January have resulted in significant educational disruptions, affecting over 725,000 students in the Los Angeles area. These wildfires led to the destruction or significant damage of at least a dozen schools, prompting multiple school districts to close their doors shortly after the fires ignited.
The wildfires forced several districts, including Alhambra Unified, Pasadena Unified, San Marino Unified, and Glendale Unified, to shut down operations. Schools in the central and eastern parts of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) also faced closures due to power outages and hazardous air quality.
In response to the crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on January 14, allowing students the flexibility to attend schools outside of their usual district boundaries. Following this order, schools began reporting minor increases in student enrollment as displaced children shifted to new educational institutions almost immediately after the fires.
The county has not tracked specific student transfers resulting from the wildfires, but a survey conducted by The Times gathered detailed information from approximately 1,655 displaced students across 16 districts and 15 schools. These surveyed schools represent over 132,000 students in total. Within LAUSD, Palisades Charter Elementary School and Marquez Charter Elementary School were completely destroyed, while Palisades Charter High School suffered substantial damage.
Approximately 170 students were disenrolled from LAUSD, equivalent to around 4% of total enrolled students at the eight LAUSD schools that provided data. Following the fires, Palisades Charter High students transferred to other institutions, including Mira Costa High School, Beverly Hills High School, and Santa Monica High, with 54 students enrolling at the latter. Collectively, approximately 321 students enrolled in six beach city school districts following displacements, largely due to the Palisades fire.
Mira Costa High School reported the highest new enrollment with 107 students, while the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District welcomed 135 new students, nearly half of whom were elementary-level children. The Village School, a private elementary institution in the Palisades, was destroyed, indicating that almost 20% of families relocated due to the fire, yet 96% of remaining families expressed their commitment to re-enroll for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.
The Glendale Unified School District received 51 new students, with La Cañada Unified accommodating 60 students. Some schools noted increased class sizes due to the influx of students. However, districts have made staffing adjustments and hired additional teachers to manage the larger classes. Officials from Glendale Unified emphasized their commitment to assist each family affected by the fires, focusing on quick enrollment processes and support services.
The Los Angeles Unified Education Foundation played a crucial role in providing essential classroom materials along with community wellness events and mental health support for students and families impacted by the fires. As schools continue to recover and adapt, there remains uncertainty about the long-term retention of displaced students in their new placements for the upcoming school year.
In June, LAUSD approved a $604 million plan to rebuild Marquez Charter Elementary, Palisades Charter Elementary, and Palisades Charter High schools by the end of 2028. The rebuilding plans will alter classroom counts significantly, decreasing the amount from 37 to 22 at Marquez Elementary and from 26 to 24 at Palisades Elementary. For the fall semester, Palisades High School will remain at the remodeled Sears building in Santa Monica, while Marquez Elementary students will share a campus with Nora Sterry Elementary School, and those from Palisades Elementary will attend the Brentwood Sciences Magnet School.
The impact of these fires is extensive, with educators and families striving to restore a sense of normalcy and stability amid ongoing challenges as they navigate this unprecedented situation.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: School Enrollment Post-Fires
- Google Search: School Enrollment Wildfires Los Angeles
- ABC7: Back to School Los Angeles Schools Damaged by Fires
- Google Scholar: Los Angeles School Wildfires 2025
- AP News: LA Wildfires Impact on Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: California Wildfires
- KTLA: Abandoned Charter School Fire
- Google News: Los Angeles Schools Wildfires
- The Guardian: Children and LA Wildfires
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
