Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet

www.pearlmagnet.org

183 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet (DPJCM) is a specialized public school located in Lake Balboa, California, that operates as part of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Distinct from a traditional comprehensive high school, DPJCM focuses heavily on media literacy, digital storytelling, and journalistic ethics. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for higher education and professional careers in communications by integrating academic rigor with hands-on training in broadcast, print, and digital media production.

Beyond its academic focus, the school is known for fostering a close-knit, collaborative community environment, often cited for its small student body and personalized instructional approach. Named in honor of the late Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, the school emphasizes the values of integrity, investigative curiosity, and the power of the press. Students at DPJCM have access to modern media labs and opportunities to publish in student-run outlets, providing them with a robust portfolio and practical experience that distinguishes them as they transition to college and the workforce.

183

Total Students

13.5

Full-Time Teachers

13.6

Student/Teacher Ratio

78.7%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet
Demographic	Student Count
White	50
Hispanic	109
Black	8
Asian	10
Two or More	6

Hispanic
109 (59.6%)
White
50 (27.3%)
Asian
10 (5.5%)
Black
8 (4.4%)
Two or More
6 (3.3%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Alternative School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Los Angeles Unified
Phone:	(818)654-3775
Website:	http://www.pearlmagnet.org
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	183
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	13.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	13.6
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	131
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	13

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 9 38

Grade 10 48

Grade 11 40

Grade 12 57