Larchmont Charter puts down roots in Hollywood and grows fiscally
Larchmont Charter School bought a new building for its middle school.
ANSWERING PARENTS’ QUESTIONS is Larchmont Charter School Executive Director Amy Held.
The newest campus, coined LCS Hollywood, at 6325 Santa Monica Blvd., was purchased mid-April. It’s the former home of the Episcopal School of Los Angeles, which closed abruptly in March 2025. The 38,000 square feet of space consists of five separate structures—two classroom buildings, two warehouses, and a parking lot—and will house about 650 students in grades 4 through 8.
“The new space feels very LCS—light, bright, creative, special, and magical. It’s a very unique space for L.A.,” said LCS Executive Director Amy Held.
According to Held, the campus is the bullseye between all LCS campuses, two elementaries, Fairfax at 1265 N. Fairfax Ave. and Wilshire at 4900 Wilshire Blvd., and the high school, LaFayette Park at 2801 W. 6th St. The site had been in escrow for more than six months with another school. The deal collapsed at the end of 2025. LCS was able to quickly get the funding and secure the deal.
“It’s really exciting to get a permanent space and not have to rely on LAUSD,” she said. “We’re putting down long-term roots for the students.” For about the last 15 years, Larchmont has been renting Selma Avenue Elementary, 6611 Selma Ave., from LAUSD for its middle school. Although the Selma campus offered a lot of space, LCS endured consistent annual rent hikes of 15% to 20%, coupled with the possibility of not being able to rent the campus from year to year according to Held.
Held walked through the new location with the teachers and staff shortly after the purchase was finalized. They had positive comments and real excitement to share about their new home.
NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL building recently purchased by Larchmont Charter.
The Chronicle had the opportunity to tour the new campus with students and parents May 6. During the tour the parents and kids commented with excitement and awe, “This is incredible,” “I can’t believe this,” “How amazing,” and “It was a private school and now it’s ours.”
Held credits a “dream team of parents,” consisting of alumni-parents and an incredible school board for making this purchase happen.
LCS middle school will move this summer with lots of help from the community. Classes will begin in August.
LCS was conceived by parents in the Larchmont neighborhood while their young ones played in Robert Burns Park at Van Ness Avenue and Beverly Boulevard. The independent public charter welcomed its first three classes of kindergarten, first and second grade in 2005. Over the next two decades it’s grown to include transitional kindergarten through 12th grade.
Capital campaign
STUDENTS ARE ALREADY getting comfortable in their new location.
LCS has started a capital campaign to update the new space and make it their own. Although the ESLA campus was renovated in 2022, LCS officials want to knock down one of the warehouse buildings to create a green outdoor area, to be called the “Field of Dreams.” They also have high hopes for new classroom furniture, structured green space for learning and playing, a vibrant library, and community areas throughout the campus. They hope to raise $500,000 this summer, with donors being able to contribute at any level starting today.
Endowment Fund
To coincide with the building purchase and its capital campaign, a longtime LCS parent leader has committed $1 million over the next five years to start the Larchmont Legacy Endowment Fund. This fund will reduce the school’s dependence on government monies from year to year and guarantee the school’s existence for generations to come.
The school has named these two interlocking fundraisers the Rooted and Rising Campaign, to go hand in hand with their logo, which depicts a child sitting at the base of a tree of knowledge.
If you would like to help with either campaign, email development@larchmontcharter.org.
Category: News
