Ánimo South Los Angeles Charter High School

Ánimo South Los Angeles Charter High School (also known as "ASLA", or "Animo South LA") is a public charter school operated by Green Dot Public Schools of Los Angeles.

History
Ànimo South Los Angeles Charter High School was founded by Green Dot Public Schools and established in August 2004.  The first graduating class graduated in 2008. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges through June 30, 2014.

Animo South Los Angeles was founded in response to the dangerous circumstances surrounding Washington Preparatory High School, one of Los Angeles's most troubled schools. According to the Los Angeles Times, in the 2000–2001 school year, thirty five percent of Washington Prep students were suspended, far passing district-wide suspension rates of thirteen percent. Not only were test scores and academic performance extremely poor, but the campus itself was so unsafe that in 2002, the teachers filed a written complaint to their union, calling the school "out of control" and demanding increased security on campus. Reports were released that the school was plagued by drugs, violence, and sex. Since Animo South LA was formed in 2004, students at this school have a safe place to go to where they can learn. Animo South LA has outperformed Washington High School in statewide API scores by over 150 points.

Animo South LA's graduation rate is 81%. 90% of Graduating seniors are accepted into college, 79% attend college

July 22, 2014, Fire
On the afternoon of Tuesday July 22, 2014, around 2:17 pm LAFD received a call reporting a fire in a High School near Western and Imperial. Reportedly the fire started with an AC malfunction. According to Los Angeles County Fire inspector Scott Miller, the School's roof, and exterior wall collapsed. 2 Firefighters were injured by the fire; they reportedly went inside to see if there were people in need of help. The fire made national news and the fire was seen in all of Los Angeles. One of Green Dot's first schools, Animo South just celebrated its 10th anniversary when the fire happened.

Awards and recognition 
In 2013, Animo South LA was ranked the 801st best high school in the United States and 162nd in California.

In 2012 and 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked Animo South LA as a Silver Medal School.

Student demographics 
As of the school year 2012–13, there were a total of 537 students attending the high school.

55.6% Hispanic (299)
43.3% Black (233)
0.5% Other (3)
0.3% White (2)
57% Female (305)
43% Male (232)

School Scores

CAHSEE

CAHSEE pass percentages accounted only for 10th graders.

API

Athletics 
The school competes in the CIF Southern Section of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) association and offers the following sports:
 Football (boys)
 Soccer (boys, girls)
 Basketball (boys, girls)
 Softball (girls)
 Baseball (boys)
 Track and Field (boys, girls)
 Cheerleading (girls)

On March 3, 2012, the Boys Basketball team won the 2012 CIF Los Angeles City Small Schools Boys Basketball Section championship vs Viewpark High with a score of (49–47).
Also in 2012 the Girls soccer team made it to the Playoffs the first time in the school's history

Notable alumni
 Corey Fowler (Smoove Da General), recording artist. member of Cali Swag District, creator of Teach Me How to Dougie.
 Jose Anthony Dheming, Salvadorian Footballer who plays for Chivas USA Academy and the El Salvador U-20 National Football Team.

References

External links
 Official website
 ASLA panthers Flickr
 ASLA Max Preps
 Green Dot

Further reading
  "Incendio destruye preparatoria" (Archive). La Opinión. July 23, 2014.

Charter high schools in California
Educational institutions established in 2004
High schools in Los Angeles County, California
Green Dot Public Schools
2004 establishments in California