ISANA Octavia Academy

Tucked into the hilly, eclectic neighborhoods of Northeast LA near Glassell Park and Cypress Park, ISANA Octavia Academy is a K-8 charter school that lands solidly in the middle of the pack statewide — a respectable showing in a city as competitive and diverse as Los Angeles. Families who want a smaller, community-feel alternative to traditional LAUSD schools, with a bit more flexibility in curriculum and culture, tend to find it a comfortable fit. The surrounding area has a real neighborhood character — local taquerias, murals, and a growing mix of longtime residents and newcomers — making it a grounded place to raise kids and build school-community connections.