Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academies-Academy of Scientific Exploration (ASE)

Nestled in the heart of San Fernando, ASE is one of several small learning academies sharing the Chavez campus, offering a science-focused pathway for students who want a more intimate high school experience within the sprawling LAUSD system. The surrounding San Fernando neighborhood is a tight-knit, working-class Latino community where families are deeply rooted and school connections tend to run through the whole neighborhood, not just the classroom. Families drawn to a smaller school culture with a STEM emphasis — and who want their kids close to home in a community they know — will find ASE worth a closer look, even as they weigh options across the broader Valley.