New School for Bullied LA Students

Los Angeles students in grades 7-12 who experience bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity have a new option to complete their education free of violence and harassment at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.

According to the Los Angeles Times,"The school, which serves grades seven through 12, is a collaboration between Opportunities for Learning, a charter school with 34 locations across Los Angeles and Orange counties, and Lifeworks, a mentoring program for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth sponsored by the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center."

The school, which opened in January, was the idea of Marsha Aizumi, whose son, Aiden, now 21, was forced to complete his final semester of high school at home due to relentless harassment. It currently employs one teacher, with three students set to begin instruction in a few weeks. Forty students can be accommodated, and the program will be expanded if the need arises.

According to the Times, the school offers an independent study program to meet individual student needs. Students meet with an instructor twice per week and complete between four and six hours of work at home every weekday

The school will host an open house on Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1125 N. McCadden Place.