Education
The Education Department at LA’s BEST designs and delivers high-quality enrichment programs that spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence in students from UTK through 6th grade. We create engaging, hands-on learning experiences rooted in literacy, STEM, the arts, and student voice, offering students opportunities to explore, express themselves, and grow.
Empowering Students Through Enrichment
Our programs are offered across over 200 LAUSD sites and reached more than 18,000 students during the 2024–2025 school year. Through innovative partnerships with organizations like the NBA, MLB Players Trust, and Mattel, we connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.
Whether students are launching bottle rockets, writing original stories, or exploring space science, our goal is to ensure every child feels empowered to create, think critically, and imagine a future full of possibilities.
Programs Include:
KidzLit (UTK–6)
A literacy program that builds comprehension, vocabulary, and social-emotional skills through culturally relevant books and group discussions.
Young Authors (UTK–6)
Encourages students to become storytellers through poetry, personal narratives, and illustrated books—fostering creativity and self-expression.
Chess (UTK–6)
Teaches the fundamentals of chess while enhancing patience, strategy, and concentration through gameplay.
LA’s BEST Science Fair (2–6)
Empowers students to engage in hands-on, student-led science projects that encourage inquiry, exploration, and presentation skills.
Zula Patrol (K–3)
Introduces early learners to space science through storytelling and engaging activities inspired by animated characters.
MLB Players STEM League (3–6)
Makes science and math engaging by applying STEM concepts to baseball, promoting collaboration and real-world learning.
M.I.N.D. (2–6)
“Makers Inventing New Designs” encourages innovation through design thinking and building projects using everyday materials.
BEST Voices (2–6)
Builds public speaking skills and confidence, giving students a platform to share their ideas, experiences, and advocacy.
Bottle Rockets (3–6)
Combines engineering and physics as students design and launch rockets, promoting experimentation and teamwork.
Speedometry (K–6)
Brings STEM concepts to life using Hot Wheels to teach motion, measurement, and force in a fun, hands-on way.
Math Hoops (3–6)
Strengthens math fluency and data analysis through a sports-themed board game using real NBA player statistics.
Our Role in LA’s BEST
The Education Department plays a central role in the LA’s BEST mission by developing and delivering engaging, student-centered enrichment programs that support the whole child. From UTK through 6th grade, our programs are designed to meet students where they are—fostering curiosity, encouraging self-expression, and nurturing a lifelong love of learning.
Our team works closely with school sites to provide hands-on, meaningful learning opportunities that are relevant, joyful, and accessible. Whether students are exploring scientific principles through experiments or expressing their thoughts through storytelling, each program is crafted to inspire confidence, creativity, and critical thinking.
Our Impact (2024–2025 SY)
Students Reached (2024–2025): Over 18,000 students
Programs Delivered: Between 11 and 18 unique programs annually
Sites Served: More than 200 LAUSD schools
Our enrichment programs support academic growth, personal development, and positive social interactions. We intentionally create opportunities for students to practice collaboration, solve problems, and discover new interests in a safe and supportive environment.
