GRANADA HILLS : Deaf Enrollment Low at Magnet Site

The plan to convert Granada Hills High School to a math, science and technology magnet school included generous provisions to teach hearing-impaired students. But officials said Monday that just 21 of 180 students registered for the program are hearing-impaired or deaf.

Although there was no specific quota set for hearing-impaired students, Los Angeles Unified School District officials last spring said they hoped that half the students enrolled in the magnet school program would be hearing impaired. Three sign-language proficient teachers were hired to work with them.

Asked about the low enrollment of deaf and hearing-impaired students, Ann Hill, the magnet coordinator, said some who applied didn’t qualify.

Teachers, administrators and students planned Monday night to celebrate the campus’ official reopening as Granada Hills/CSUN Math, Science and Technology Magnet High School. The program is being hailed by parents and educators as a bold step toward preparing students for careers in math and science.

“I think the magnet school is a shining light in the L.A. Unified School District,” said Northridge resident Peter Chan, who has enrolled his 15-year-old son, David, in the program. “Everyone raves about how students in magnet schools seem to have excellent text books and teachers.”

The magnet school, which is a joint project with Cal State Northridge, was started with a $300,000 grant from the National Guard.

The magnet students will be bused to Cal State Northridge daily for at least two class periods, Hill said. The students are being taught by Los Angeles school district staff members, but relocating classes to the university will allow them to take advantage of the campus’ laboratories, libraries, art exhibits and other services, Hill said.