Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies - In a Class of Its Own

Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies - anyone would assume that this school is located in Sherman Oaks, arguably one of the hippest cities in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. Well, they would be wrong. Sherman Oaks C.E.S. (also known as S.O.C.E.S.) is actually in Reseda. Yes, Reseda, the city in which Daniel of Karate Kid was teased for residing - a great contrast from the image that locales may have about Sherman Oaks.

Why is the school named Sherman Oaks when it is located in Reseda? The answer is not as important as mentioning that the seemingly small and unknown school is, in fact the largest magnet school in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

And even thought S.O.C.E.S. is located in Reseda (often perceived to be one of the ghetto cities of the valley), SOCES is a school that lives a well protected, some might even say sheltered, existence. There are no police officers guarding the school, patrolling the campus. There are rarely any violent activities. In fact, the closest to violence that occurs is during a competition to get the nicest dress for Homecoming. Yes, despite being a school that lacks a football team (as a result of putting priority on academics and sports second), there is a Homecoming.

Basically, S.O.C.E.S., is a very unique school that allows students to focus on academic studies. This school allows students to grow up together with fellow peers and build close relationships with teachers, with the school consisting the grade levels of 4-12. In addition, the fact that they limit the number of students who enroll prevents each class from getting overcrowded overcrowded (allowing students to easily receive personal attention from teachers), with each grade level consisting of about 150 people. In fact, there are currently 1780 students on campus, with over 2,700 students on the waiting list.

The population of the school is diverse, with students coming from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Statistically, the demographic of the student body is 60% minority and 40% Anglo. It truly does not seem like there is no majority, which makes it great to meet various kinds of people and learn to get along with people who are different from each other. Hence, not only do the students attain education from schooling, but they also attain valuable experience and education by encountering and socializing with people from various backgrounds.

As small of a campus that S.O.C.E.S. may seem, it will leave the alumni of the school with great impact and memories, let alone education and long lasting friends.