Environmental Charter Middle School – Gardena (ECMS-I) is a free, public middle school in the South Bay region of Los Angeles that offers students a small, caring school environment supporting their transition from elementary school to a college preparatory high school.

Year Founded

2010

Grades Served

6-8

Enrollment

360

Max Class Size

30

WASC ACCREDITED

Yes

Our Students

Our students are hard working, active, caring, creative, team players.


Academics

Our rigorous academic program prepares students for a college-prep high school, places an emphasis on social responsibility, and incorporates field trips and interdisciplinary projects. We connect academics to real-world tasks and integrate social-emotional learning and the arts.

Student Learning Outcomes

Our academic approach results in students who are:


Our Approach

The ECMS approach creates strong relationships between students, teachers, and families. Two core teachers—one for Math & Science and another for English & History—follow students from 6th to 7th grade, affording an opportunity for teachers to deeply understand students’ strengths and challenges as they move through the transition between elementary and high school. In 8th grade, students transition to four single-subject teachers, preparing them for success in a traditional high school.

Interdisciplinary Benchmark Projects

Interdisciplinary Benchmark Projects are fun, challenging tasks that ask students to connect what they’ve learned in English, Math, Social Studies, and Science and use their new knowledge and skills in a real-world way. Individually and in groups, students might persuade pharaohs, write business plans for investors, investigate an Aztec murder mystery, present their research findings to an Ancient Greek symposium or engineer a railroad. These projects culminate in imaginative performances and presentations that include parents and community members.

The following specialty courses supplement our core curriculum:


Current Charter Petition

See the current ECMS-Gardena Charter Petition for the 5-year term July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2024. ECMS-Gardena is authorized by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Los Angeles County Office of Education
Charter School Office
9300 Imperial Highway
Downey, CA 90242

Contact:
Duncan McCulloch
Email: McCulloch_Duncan@lacoe.edu
Office Phone Line: (562) 922-6349
Office Fax: (562) 922-8805