Mira Costa Forum Coming to Hermosa

Hermosa Beach parents are invited to attend a "State of Our Schools" forum hosted by the Manhattan Beach Unified School District on Oct. 3.

"We could do all the e-mail communication we want and have all the publication we want, but nothing takes the place of informal conversations, where people can meet us and have a two-way conversation. It’s really worth our investment," said Manhattan Beach Unified School District Superintendent Mike Matthews on Monday, at the first of six local meetings being held in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.

Matthews on Monday was joined by Mira Costa High School Principal Ben Dale who addressed parental concerns about children transitioning to high school.

Mira Costa "has a very collegiate feel, with kids who are associated with each other," Dale said. "Whatever it is your student can do, they will be able to do... If your student has MIT level game, and they have the ability, we will get them there. Not a lot of schools can say that."

Dale said that more than 75 percent of Mira Costa students are scoring fours and fives on their Advanced Placement tests. He also talked about the recent rise of AP test scores within the district, as well as the district’s API scores.

"It’s [high scores] something on the one hand we want to celebrate, but we also have a feeling on campus that that’s who we are. It’s what we do. It’s everything that’s asked of us," he said.

Matthews talked about the district's incorporation of technology within the classroom, as well as the impending renovation of Mira Costa.

Matthews, who plans to attend all six meetings, said that he looks forward to speaking at each one.

Upcoming "State of Our Schools" forums, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

• Monday, Sept. 26 - 428 32nd St., Manhattan Beach
• Monday, Oct. 3 - 1523 Golden Ave., Hermosa Beach
• Monday, Oct. 10 - 1163 Longfellow Ave., Manhattan Beach
• Monday, Oct. 17 - 1701 Faymont Ave., Manhattan Beach
• Monday, Oct. 24 - 624 9th St., Manhattan Beach

RSVP for a forum here.