Original Research by School Decision on Richard A. Alonzo Community Day
Richard A. Alonzo Community Day is an alternative public school in Los Angeles serving grades seven through twelve, with a current enrollment of about eighty students. It is located on Fountain Avenue, in a part of the city with substantial housing costs and residential density.
The school's student body is predominantly Hispanic, with nearly all students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment skews toward the upper grades; the ninth through twelfth grades make up the vast majority of the cohort, while seventh grade has no students and eighth grade has just one. This grade distribution is common in alternative schools, which often serve students who have had difficulty in traditional settings and may enter at older ages.
State testing data for Richard A. Alonzo shows proficiency rates in English language arts, math, and science that are very low across tested grades. These results reflect the school's mission as an alternative placement. The school's context matters here: alternative schools often enroll students with interrupted schooling, behavioral or social challenges, prior academic gaps, or other barriers that place them well behind grade-level benchmarks. State tests measure performance at a single point in time and do not capture progress, engagement, or the specific goals these students and the school are working toward. A parent considering this school may want to look into what the school's actual educational model is, what outcomes beyond test scores it tracks, and how it supports its particular student population.
The school sits within the Los Angeles Unified School District, which has recently implemented several district-wide policies affecting daily school life. LAUSD banned student use of cellphones, smartwatches, and earbuds throughout the entire school day starting in February 2025, using lockable pouches in most middle and high schools. The district also approved Measure US, a major facilities bond that will increase property taxes for families within the district over a lengthy repayment period. Additionally, LAUSD has expanded its Black Student Achievement Plan, which funds culturally responsive curriculum and additional counselor and staff support at targeted schools.
The school's zip code sits in one of Los Angeles's higher-cost housing markets. Median home values in the area are substantially above the state benchmark, and rental costs are significant as well. Housing affordability remains tight relative to median household income, a factor families relocating to the district or area should weigh.
Program offerings, staffing details, attendance data, and discipline information for this school were not available. The school's website was also not provided. A parent interested in understanding what Richard A. Alonzo offers, how it works, and whether it fits a student's needs would want to contact the school directly to learn about its curriculum, daily schedule, support services, and outcomes beyond state testing.
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