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Altadena Arts Magnet School

United States, Altadena

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, French
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 1903
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum French Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, SEN focussed
Taught languages French
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Elementary
Introduction

Altadena Arts Magnet School is a magnet elementary located at 743 E. Calaveras Street, Altadena. The school weaves arts into learning, with weekly instruction in music, dance, visual arts, and theatre integrated with core subjects. A credentialed arts teacher collaborates with classroom teachers and professional teaching artists to design meaningful experiences. The curriculum centers on a French Dual Language Immersion Program using a two-way 90:10 model; Kindergarten instruction is 90% French and 10% English, increasing English by 10% each year so that fourth grade achieves parity. Facilities include a dance studio, an art studio (Room 13), and a music studio, plus theatre residencies and a musical. The school has earned Magnet Schools of America School of Distinction, a California Distinguished Schools Award for closing the achievement gap, and a PBIS Silver Implementation Award. Since 1903, Altadena has partnered with community organizations to promote multicultural literacy through reading, writing, and performance.

743 E. Calaveras Street, Altadena, CA 91001

The Essentials

Altadena Arts Magnet School has instruction in English, French.

Location
Altadena Arts Magnet is located at 743 East Calaveras Street, Altadena, California. The school sits in a residential area of Altadena with access from Lake Avenue and Calaveras Street, and is part of the Pasadena Unified School District. The campus is served by local roads and is in the Altadena neighborhood near community facilities.

Stages
Elementary

Type
Public magnet elementary school

Additional learning support
Special Education is available. The school provides Social and Emotional Support and Suicide Prevention resources.

School day structure
Valet line begins at 7:00 am. The cafeteria opens at 7:15 am and doors are closed by 7:45 am. The first bell rings at 7:45 am, a morning assembly occurs at 7:50 am, and class begins at 8:00 am.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform Dress Code: The dress code was adopted in 2003. Tops are blue, white or black; bottoms are blue, khaki or black; Altadena Spirit Wear is allowed, and uniforms are available if needed. On Fridays, College and Career-Bound Focus promotes wearing college spirit shirts.

Food Options
Meals are provided by PUSD Food Services. Altadena Arts Magnet has previously hosted free meals, and Summer Lunches provide free meals for children 18 and younger at sites in Pasadena and Altadena.

Governance and Ownership
The school is part of the Pasadena Unified School District.
Fees
*Application fees*
- There is no application fee to register students who reside in the Altadena Arts Magnet attendance boundary. Open Enrollment applications for families outside the attendance boundary are processed through the district's Open Enrollment process and do not carry a separate application fee.

*Tuition fees by school year (per term / per year group)*
- Altadena Arts Magnet is a public elementary school; there is no tuition charged to resident K–5 students for regular day-school enrollment. Nonresident or interdistrict placements are handled through district permit processes and, where allowable under state law, may involve tuition or permit conditions for nonresident students.

*Billing schedule and payment terms*
- Regular K–5 day-school attendance does not generate tuition invoices.
- PasadenaLEARNs (district before/after-school expanded learning) charges a program cost of USD 12.50 per day; fees are billed as a monthly, flat-rate charge and are non-refundable. PasadenaLEARNs requires a new application each school year and maintains wait lists when sites reach capacity. Payments for PasadenaLEARNs may not be made in cash or by electronic payment during the school year; accepted payment methods are cashier's check, bank check, money order, or personal check payable to PUSD-LEARNs (include the child's name and school on the memo line).
- School-sponsored optional purchases (for example, downloadable recordings of school shows) are sold at listed prices and are paid through the ordering link provided for each sale. Example listing: The Little Mermaid download USD 15; The Wonderful Wicked Wiz of Oz USD 10; Nutcracker Dreams USD 15.

*Boarding fees (if applicable)*
- Altadena Arts Magnet is an elementary day school and does not offer boarding or charge boarding fees.

*Other costs or fees (uniforms, meals, extracurricular items, etc.)*
- Uniforms: Altadena Arts Magnet maintains a school uniform / dress code requiring solid blue, white, or black tops with khaki, blue, or black bottoms; families are expected to provide uniforms for their children. Any uniform purchase cost is borne by the family.
- Meals: For the 2025–2026 school year, Pasadena Unified School District participated in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) / free meal program so that breakfast and lunch were available to students at no charge; meal program eligibility and pricing are set at the district level and may vary year to year.
- Optional after-school and enrichment activities: PasadenaLEARNs provides optional sports and enrichment as part of its program; those activities are included in program enrollment but some optional external or extracurricular providers and fundraisers may charge separate fees. PasadenaLEARNs enrollment is optional and billed separately from the regular school day.
- School publications and events: The school markets optional items such as yearbooks and show downloads; these are sold at parent/guardian cost when offered.

*Refund information*
- PasadenaLEARNs program fees are explicitly described as non-refundable.
- Purchases of optional items (for example, show downloads or yearbooks) are sold at stated prices; the published listings provide the sale prices. (Specific refund policies for individual sales are determined by the sales process used for each item.)

*Fee payment options*
- PasadenaLEARNs: cashier's check, bank check, money order, or personal check payable to PUSD-LEARNs; PasadenaLEARNs does not accept cash or electronic payments during the school year. Fees are collected on a monthly, flat-rate basis.
- School show downloads and other school sales: payable through the order link provided for each sale (online payment via the school's order/payment portal).

If you require the information presented exactly as listed above for a database, the entries above list the school's application, tuition, program, and payment arrangements as published by the school and district pages and program handbook cited.
Academics

Altadena Arts Magnet School teaches French Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, SEN focussed.

Curriculum
Arts integration is central to Altadena Arts Magnet. Weekly instruction is provided in all art forms—music, dance, visual arts, theatre—integrated with core subjects. A full-time credentialed arts teacher collaborates with classroom teachers and professional teaching artists to design meaningful learning experiences. The program includes a French Dual Language Immersion Program based on a two-way 90:10 language immersion model; Kindergarten curriculum is taught 90% in French and 10% in English, with English instruction increasing by 10% each year so that by fourth grade instruction is 50% in each language. The onsite facilities include a dance studio, an art studio, and a music studio; Room 13 Art Studio provides a space for students to explore their creativity, and theatre residencies are offered. The school has earned prestigious awards including the Magnet Schools of America School of Distinction Award, a California Distinguished Schools Award for closing the achievement gap, and a PBIS Silver Implementation Award.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides social and emotional support for students, and suicide prevention is in place as part of student wellbeing policies.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Special Education services are provided by the Pasadena Unified School District and are tailored to each student's needs; they may include weekly speech therapy, ongoing Resource Specialist Program (RSP) services, or placement in a Special Education classroom, with referrals initiated by a teacher or school administrator.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English Learners are assessed annually with the ELPAC; designated English Language Development (ELD) time and language supports are provided to assist language demands during content-area instruction.

Mental Wellbeing
The school provides social and emotional support for student wellbeing, and suicide prevention measures are in place.

Safeguarding
The school has a Code of Conduct and a School Safety Plan; Non-Discrimination and Equity policies are in place; safeguarding includes suicide prevention and access to student support services.
Parent Experience

History
Altadena Arts Magnet has a long heritage in the Pasadena Unified School District, built on the present site in 1903, with the Mount Lowe tram stopping at the campus on the way to Mount Wilson. In 2009, Altadena became an inclusion school, welcoming all students in age-appropriate general education classes and supporting both typical students and those with special needs. The school emphasizes diversity and community involvement through PTA, Instructional Leadership Team, School Site Council, English Learners Advisory Committee, and African American Parent Council, with Spanish translation at meetings. Its programs include Structured English Immersion, Title 1 resources, Fine Arts Friday, Third Grade Learn to Swim, Gifted and Talented, instrumental music, state-sponsored preschool, a school library, Special Education services, LEARNs, and the Children Defense Fund Freedom School. Altadena has developed partnerships with community organizations such as Altadena Rotary Club, Altadena NAACP, Pasadena Educational Foundation, Parent Education Network, Nutrition Network, Reading is Fundamental, Book Pals, Rose Bowl Aquatic Center, Huntington Library Art Collection and Botanical Gardens, Rose Bowl Riders Charitable Organization, and Pasadena Assistance League, and emphasizes multicultural literacy through reading, writing, and performance connected to history and culture.

Community
Altadena emphasizes a strong school community through active family involvement, including PTA, Instructional Leadership Team, School Site Council, English Learners Advisory Committee, and African American Parent Council, with Spanish translation at meetings. Parents and community volunteers support the school through parent education workshops and meeting translation services. The school collaborates with community organizations such as Altadena Rotary Club, Altadena NAACP, Pasadena Educational Foundation, Parent Education Network, Nutrition Network, Reading is Fundamental, Book Pals, Rose Bowl Aquatic Center, Huntington Library Art Collection and Botanical Gardens, Rose Bowl Riders Charitable Organization, and Pasadena Assistance League. The curriculum reinforces multicultural literacy through reading, writing, and performance tied to history and culture, with mathematics and science integrated.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA welcomes Altadena Arts Magnet families and has a 2025–2026 theme of Connections and Community, focusing on rebuilding a positive school environment after the Eaton Fire. The PTA invites all family members and friends to join, including students, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others. Meetings occur the second Tuesday of every month, in person and online, and members may join committees such as Community Events and Fundraising and volunteer at PTA-sponsored events. The PTA funds many community events, as well as teacher-enriched activities like field trips and performances, to enhance student learning. Joining is simple via a QR code or the Join Totem page, and Anna Yeager serves as PTA President. The Annual Fund supports arts education programs not funded by the district, and the Ralphs Community Contributions Program provides additional support.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Altadena Arts Magnet integrates visual and performing arts into daily learning. A dedicated Room 13 Art Studio provides space for visual arts exploration. A credentialed music teacher leads weekly music instruction for all students. Lineage Dance partners deliver dance instruction for grades K-2 and 3-5. Theatre residencies through the Music Center and Southland Signs offer performance opportunities, including an annual musical production. Arts integration connects arts to core subjects and enriches learning.

Academic Facilities
Room 13 Art Studio is a dedicated space for visual arts. A full-time credentialed arts teacher leads instruction in all art forms. Teaching artists collaborate with classroom teachers to design arts-integrated learning experiences.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Weekly music instruction is provided by a credentialed music teacher. Lineage Dance partners deliver dance instruction for K-2 and 3-5. Theatre residencies through the Music Center and Southland Signs provide opportunities for performance, with auditions for an annual musical production. Room 13 Art Studio offers space for creativity. Art Night and the Reflections Art Program are featured components of the visual arts program.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
All students are invited to participate in Altadena's Science Fair. An informational night introduces the fair, and projects are judged by parent and staff volunteers before advancing to the district Innovation Exposition. The program emphasizes hands-on STEM learning through inquiry and collaborative work across grade levels.

Arts & Creative
Every student builds a strong musical foundation with weekly classes taught by a credentialed music teacher. In partnership with Lineage Dance, K-2 students experience fun, fitness, and the fundamentals of dance, while 3-5 students learn classical, modern, and contemporary techniques. Theatre Residencies through the Music Center and Southland Signs provide opportunities for students to build confidence on and off stage, and students may audition for the annual musical production. Room 13 Art Studio provides space for students to explore creativity and build lifelong friendships.

Cultural & Language
The French Dual Language Immersion Program develops bilingual, biliterate, bi-cognitive learners with culturally sensitive perspectives. The program supports language development in both English and French within a collaborative learning environment. It aims to prepare students for success in a dynamic, global society.

Social & Hobbies
All students receive eight weeks of theater instruction that integrates arts and all subject content into performances. A fall play for kindergarten through third grade and a spring musical for fourth and fifth grade are produced in coordination with the sister Eliot Arts Magnet. Kindergarten through second grade also receive weekly music classes, with third graders learning ukulele, recorder, and strings, and fourth through fifth in concert bands or rock guitar. Dance is offered in K-2 for fundamentals and in 3-5 for classical, modern, and contemporary techniques.

Community & Service
Guitar Center Music Foundation provides support for the school's music program. My Masterpieces is an award-winning program of the Pasadena Educational Foundation, operated in partnership with Pasadena Unified School District and ten museums and arts organizations. Rose Bowl Aquatics is a community partnership that offers swim lessons for third grade students.

Leadership & Professional
Leaders actively engage in the classroom, guiding and inspiring students through hands-on learning and creative exploration. Their commitment fosters a supportive and inclusive environment and helps shape the future of young artists. This leadership emphasis supports the school's arts-integrated approach.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Lineage Dance partners provide weekly dance instruction for K-2 and 3-5 students, emphasizing fitness and technique. Dance participation promotes physical well-being, coordination, and self-expression. Music and theatre residencies provide performance opportunities and creative expression, contributing to students' wellbeing through active engagement in the arts.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught are English and French. The program shifts from majority French in the early years to bilingual instruction in later grades; by fourth grade, instruction is balanced 50/50 between French and English. The goal is bilingualism and biliteracy with cross-cultural understanding.

Bilingual Teaching
Altadena Arts Magnet offers French Dual Language Immersion. The program is two-way with classrooms containing both native English speakers and French speakers. Kindergarten instruction is 90% French and 10% English, with English instruction increasing by 10 percentage points each grade, reaching 50% English by fourth grade. The program's characteristics are research-based and essential to bilingualism, biliteracy, academic success, and multicultural understanding.

Immersion Programs
French Dual Language Immersion is offered. The model is two-way and 90:10 (French:English) in kindergarten, with English increasing by 10% each grade. Two-way classrooms include both native English speakers and French speakers. By fourth grade, instruction is 50% in French and 50% in English.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Altadena Arts Magnet is a school of residence with an attendance area. Use the SCHOOL LOCATOR to see if your family resides within the attendance boundary. A student residing in the attendance area and not on a permit to attend another PUSD campus may register for the English program online or at the school site year‑round. 2. To enroll, the following documents must be provided: the student's birth certificate; the immunization record and TB test results; and two proofs of residence. Two proofs of residence examples include a current utility bill, a lease agreement, a deed, or a property tax bill. 3. Families residing within the attendance boundary may enroll through the District's Open Enrollment process. 4. Families outside the attendance boundary or those seeking the French Immersion Program and families interested in the English program outside the boundary may apply through the District's Open Enrollment process. 5. New‑to‑PUSD students who do not reside in Altadena Arts Magnet's attendance boundary may apply at the Office of Enrollment, Permits & Student Records, District Offices up to two weeks prior to the first day of the school year. 6. Non‑PUSD families should apply for enrollment via the Interdistrict Permit process as described by the District. 7. For magnet questions or additional assistance, contact Regina Major.
School Events
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