Established in 1968, Ernest Lawrence Middle is in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The school was named after the Nobel Prize-winning physicist who split the atom. Located on Variel Avenue in the city of Chatsworth, the school enrolls approximately 1,400 students and serves grades six through eight.
The school's vision is to provide academic excellence, assist students in becoming college and career ready and develop the emotional and mental skills necessary for 21st-century living. The school features three magnet programs, including the Pioneering Science Magnet, which includes elective courses in a science lab, game and website design, fly simulator and drone technology.
In addition, Ernest Lawrence features a Gifted and Highly Gifted Magnet program for students who have demonstrated exceptional abilities and accelerated learning levels. Ernest Lawrence Middle School offers general electives in art, music, leadership, Korean, computer science, anatomy, marine biology and financial planning. Classes featuring math, reading and English are also a part of each student's curriculum.
In addition, the school also has an innovative physical education class for all grade levels. Ernest Lawrence Middle pushes students to become the best learners they can be.
Ernest Lawrence Middle School
Public Middle School
|
Grade 6-8
10100 Variel Ave,
Chatsworth, CA
Los Angeles Unified School District
School Details
Head of School
Danford Schar
Student Teacher Ratio
22:1
Math Proficiency
35%
Reading Proficiency
51%
Niche Grade
B
A-
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Reading Proficiency
51%
Math Proficiency
35%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
22:1
Teachers
48
Full Time Teachers
48
Teachers in First or Second Year
7.7%
GreatSchools Rating
4
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
Math
22.8%
State Average
19.4%
Science
11.6%
State Average
11.2%
Teachers and Staff
Students Per Counselor
445:1
Student Diversity
Male
53.3%
Female
46.7%
Hispanic
57.3%
Asian
15.9%
White
12.9%
Filipino
4.7%
Black
4.3%
Two or more races
3.2%
Native American
<1%
Specialty School Programs
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
3/1/2023
At Lawrence, students are given a multitude of choices. We can go into leadership where we can run for the student body office, do the PA announcements, be on the school show, run events, and so much more. For other students, there is stage crew where you can learn about tech and physical work. There is also art, theatre, and marine science. The magnet program lets students enhance their learning ability and really taught me so much.
10/20/2019
The kids run this school. Kids cursing, Girls french kissing, kids fighting, yelling, disrespecting staff. Parents picking up their kids after school parking in front of fire hydrants, in the red, parking in front of people's driveways, double parking 12 cars deep, welcome to the jungle. Kids stabbing each other with pencils, punching, spitting, stealing lunches, LAUSD at its finest.
5/23/2019
Some of the teachers in the gifted magnet program don't really know what they are teaching. But the PE classes are very good and active. The history teachers for 6th and 8th grade are pretty good teachers. They will use teaching methods that will help you remember the material and know it.
GreatSchools Reviews
11/4/2025
This school is definitely not the greatest nor most comfortable school you can send your child to. The students there are extremely disrespectful, many vocalizing racist, homophobic, or disrespectful slurs and comments. The school is also very unclean, the students don't contribute to cleaning up af...
10/5/2025
I have been impressed with Lawrence Middle School. The Culture is very positive and safe. There are 2 Magnet programs I am aware of and some after school sports programs. There is a dress code and cell phone bans during the day. School is very supportive of all types of parents.
10/1/2025
It's just not that good. It stinks.
8/13/2025
the teachers don't really teach that good. and then the learning is bad and they don't give good food at this school
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List Price Range
$537K - $3.9M
Homes For Sale
117
Average Home Value
$1,071,852
Median Lot Size
9,147 Sq Ft
% Renters
34%
Average Household Income
$129,526
% of College Grads
41.1%
Median Age
45
Average House Size
2,388 Sq Ft
Homes for Sale
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$1,500 - $2,985 per month
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- 1 Bath
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- 2 Baths
- 1,240+ Sq Ft
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- Villa Topanga
- 2 - 3 Beds
- 1.5 Baths
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Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
- 7th to 12th
- Public
- 9th to 12th
- Charter
- Pre-K to 12th
- Private
Parks in this Area
Stoney Point Park
- Bike Trails
- Trails
- Hiking
Chatsworth Park South
- Trails
- Playground
- Parking Lot
Mason Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
Chatsworth Oaks Park
- Dog Park
- Trails
- Playground
Chatsworth Park North
- Baseball/Softball
- Trails
- Playground
Santa Susana State Historic Park
- Bike Trails
- Camping
- Grills
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Ernest Lawrence Middle School is a public school for students in grades 6-8 in Chatsworth, CA, in the Chatsworth neighborhood, and is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District in California. Annual tuition is $0. The school has a total enrollment of 1,120 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22:1. Academic records show that 35% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 51% are proficient in reading. Ernest Lawrence Middle School has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of B+ and a GreatSchools Rating of 6 out of 10. The average home value in this area is $1,071,852. Discover additional schools in the area, like William Tell Aggeler High School, Chatsworth Charter High School, Sierra Canyon School, and more. Learn more about what Chatsworth has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near Ernest Lawrence Middle School.