Apply for a Heart of LA Program

Thank you for your interest in our programs! Below is an overview of our programs by subject area. After submitting the Interest Form, a member of our team will reach out to share additional information.

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Academics/General Interest

Academic and financial aid advisors, professional development opportunities, and in-house college scholarships. Below are our current program offerings. 

SmartStart (Elementary Academic Enrichment)

Age Range & Grade Level:  Ages 6 – 11, Grades 1 – 5

Program Dates: Full school year, beginning in Fall (August). Summer programming is also available for enrolled students, but not required.

Registration Timeline: 

Enrollment takes place twice a year.

  • Full Academic School Year: July
  • Summer Session: Mid – April

Requirements & Additional Information:

  • Families will be required to submit their student’s most recent report card with their application. 
  • Students should be able to arrive at Heart of LA’s Arts and Recreation Center no later than 3:45pm to get adequate time for homework support and learning center participation.  
  • Heart of LA does not offer pick-up from schools. We ask families to consider the distance from their school to our campus when applying.
Scientific Arts (SciArts)

Age Range & Grade Level: Ages 9 – 18, Grades 4 – 12

Program Dates:

  • Winter Session: January-March
  • Spring Session: April-June
  • Summer Session: Late June-July
  • Fall Session: Late August-December

Registration Timeline:
Enrollment takes place quarterly online unless otherwise noted.

  • Winter Session: December
    Spring Session: March
  • Summer Session: May
  • Fall Session/School Year: July

Requirements: No experience required, only a curiosity and willingness to learn collaboratively through experimentation.

Bridges (Middle School & High School Academic Enrichment)

Age Range & Grade Level: Ages 11 – 16, Grades 6 – 10

Program Dates: Full school year, beginning in Fall (August). Summer programming is also available for enrolled students, but not required.

Program Hours:

  • Academic School Year
    • For Middle School Students: Mondays – Fridays, 4:15 pm – 6:30 pm; will receive schedule at registration
    • For High School Students: Mondays – Fridays, times vary; will receive schedule at registration
  • Summer Session
    • For Middle and High School Students: Mondays – Fridays; Sessions run from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm 

Registration Timeline: 

  • Full Academic School Year: July
  • Summer Programming: May

Requirements: Students must attend programming at least two days a week to remain enrolled.

College & Career Success - LEAL (Upper High School Academic Enrichment & College Access)

The College and Career Success Department annually enrolls 50 eleventh and 70 twelfth grade students into the LEAL Program for weekly college preparation programming. As students are accepted into college, they are able to apply for our in-house scholarships and join our Alumni program. 

Age Range & Grade Level: 

  • LEAL: Ages 17 – 18, Grades 11 – 12
  • Alumni: Ages 19 – 24, attending college or trade school

Program Dates:

  • Full Academic School Year: September – June
  • Summer Session: June – August

Registration Timeline: 

  • Full Academic School Year: July – August
  • Summer Session: mid-April – mid-May

Applications do not coincide and are independent of one another. 

Requirements:

  • Program is free and open to all students across LA County (transportation is not provided).
  • Commitment to attend programming on assigned days is required, and students may forfeit eligibility due to poor attendance.
  • No minimum GPA is required, but students must remain in good standing at their school and work to maintain grades adequate for college acceptance. 
  • Report cards are required upon registration, and all progress reports, report cards, and transcripts should be made available to our staff in a timely manner.
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Athletics

Leagues, clinics, physical education, and active camps for kids interested in basketball, soccer, and football, and more.

Basketball

Junior Jumpshot (Co-Ed Elementary & Middle School Basketball)

Co-Ed: Boys and Girls

Age Range & Grade Level: Ages 8 – 14, Grades 2 – 8

Program Dates: Fall (Late September – Late November)

Registration Timeline: August – September

Requirements: No prior experience necessary. Students must attend an evaluation to be placed on a team.

Girls High School Basketball

Age Range & Grade Level: Ages 14 – 18, Grades 9 – 12

Program Dates: Summer (Late June – Mid August)

Registration Timeline: April – May

Requirements: No prior experience necessary.  Students must attend an evaluation to be placed on a team.

Boys High School Basketball

Age Range & Grade Level: Ages 14 – 18, Grades 9 – 12

Program Dates: Winter (Late January – Mid April)

Registration Timeline: November – January

Requirements: No prior experience necessary.  Students must attend an evaluation to be placed on a team.

Soccer

High School Soccer (Boys & Girls Teams)

Boys & Girls Teams (Separate)

Age Range & Grade Level: Age 14-18, Grades 9-12

Program Dates: Spring (Early March – Mid June)

Registration Timeline: January-March

Requirements: No prior experience necessary. Students must attend an evaluation to be placed on a team.

Youth Soccer (Co-Ed)

Co-Ed: Boys and Girls

Program Dates: Fall (Late September – Late November)

Registration Timeline: August – September

Age Range & Grade Level: Ages 7 – 14, Grades 2 – 8

Requirements: No prior experience necessary. Students must attend an evaluation to be placed on a team.

Active Camp

Active Camp (Summer)

Age Range & Grade Level: Ages 7 – 14, Grades 2 – 8

Program Dates: Summer (Late June – July)

Registration TimelineMay – June

Requirements: No prior experience necessary, just bring your sense of fun and willingness to try new things!

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Music

Choir, orchestra, and band programs designed by musical artists.

Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA)

Age Range: Ages 7-18

  • New students must be in or entering grades 2 through 12.

Program Dates: Full school year, beginning in fall (August). Summer programming is also available for enrolled students, but not required.

Registration Timeline: New student applications should be completed in spring, for the following school year. 

  • Families will be notified of their status by mid-July, with classes beginning in late August. 
  • Students may express interest throughout the year, and will be evaluated based on experience and availability of space.

Requirements:

  • Complete an online application
  • Attend an informational session
  • Attend an “Instrument Petting Zoo” event – students can play and try different musical instruments and share their preferences
  • Students with experience playing the following instruments may audition for ensemble placement:
    • Strings: violin, viola, cello, bass
    • Winds: oboe, flute, clarinet, bassoon
    • Brass: trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba, euphonium
    • Percussion: all orchestral percussion
Heart of LA Music Studios (Jazz/Rock/Contemporary)

Music Studios

Age Range: Ages 7-18

  • New students must be in or entering grades 2 through 12.

Program Dates: Full school year, beginning in Fall (August). Summer programming is also available for enrolled students, but not required.

Registration Timeline: New student applications should be completed in spring, for the following school year. 

  • Families will be notified of their status by mid-July, with classes beginning in late August. 
  • Students may express interest throughout the year, and will be evaluated based on experience and availability of space.

Requirements:

  • Complete an online application.
  • Attend an informational session.
  • Attend an “Instrument Petting Zoo” event where students can play and try different musical instruments and share their preferences.

Music Production Program

Program includes classes in Recording, Digital Composition, and Audio Production. Classes meet twice a week.

Age Range: Ages 12-18

  • New students must be in or entering grades 6-12 (middle school and high school)

Program Dates: Full school year, beginning in fall (August). Summer programming is also available for enrolled students, but not required.

Registration Timeline: New student applications should be completed in spring, for the following school year. 

  • Families will be notified of their status by mid-July, with classes beginning in late August. 
  • Students may express interest throughout the year, and will be evaluated based on experience and availability of space.

Requirements:

  • Complete an online application.
  • Attend an informational session.
  • New students are required to audition and should be able to play their instruments proficiently. 
  • New students will be asked to express their interest in learning music production in writing, or interview.
LACC@HOLA

To learn more and sign up to audition, please visit lachildrenschorus.org/hola-auditions

Eisner Intergenerational Music Program

Choir

Age Range: Ages 13 – 80+

Program Dates: Mid-August through Mid-June

Registration Timeline: Ongoing based on space availability.

Requirements: Availability during scheduled rehearsal times and performances.

Orchestra

Age Range: Ages 13-80+

Program Dates: Mid-August through Mid-June

Registration Timeline: Ongoing. Spaces available based on instrument.

Requirements:

  • Availability during scheduled rehearsal times.
  • Mid to advanced level of instrumental proficiency.
  • Ability to read sheet music.
Big Band

Age Range: Ages 13 – 80+ 

Program Dates: Mid-August through Mid-June

Registration Timeline: While all sections are currently full, please submit a wait list application and we will contact you.

Requirements:

  • Availability during scheduled rehearsal times.
  • Ability to sight-read music.
  • Musicians demonstrating mid to advanced level of proficiency playing the following instruments may audition for ensemble placements:
    • Alto, Tenor, or Baritone Saxophone
    • Trombone or Bass Trombone
    • Trumpet
    • Piano
    • Drum set or auxiliary percussion
    • Guitar
    • Double bass or electric bass
Easel

Visual Art

Extensive visual arts and music programs, designed and delivered by established and emerging artists in partnership with local community organizations.

MacArthur Park/Westlake Location

Address: 2619 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90057

Grade Level: Grades 1 – 12

Program Dates:

Specific Schedules Provided at Registration.

  • Fall: September – December
  • Winter/Spring: February – May
  • Summer: June – July

Registration Timeline:

  • Fall: August 28-30, 3:30 – 5:30 pm
  • Winter/Spring: January 28-30, 3:30 – 5:30 pm
  • Summer: April 21 – May 23

Requirements: No experience is required. 

Applications must be completed in-person. Please visit us at our 2619 Wilshire address to apply.

Augustus Hawkins Nature Center Location

Address: 5790 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011

Grade Level: Kindergarten – Grade 8

Program Dates:

Specific Schedules Provided at Registration.

  • Fall: September – December
  • Winter/Spring: February – May
  • Summer: June – July

Registration Timeline: Registration is open year round.

Requirements: No experience is required. 

To apply for our Augustus Hawkins program, please complete this interest form.

For questions or more information, contact us at ahpark@heartofla.org

Watts Location

Address: 10950 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90059

Grade Level: Kindergarten – Grade 12

Program Dates:

Specific Schedules Provided at Registration

  • Fall: September – December
  • Winter/Spring: February – May
  • Summer: June – July

Registration Timeline: Registration is open year round.

Requirements: No experience is required.

To apply for our Watts program, please complete this interest form.

For questions or more information, contact us at scorona@heartofla.org

Leimert Park Location

Address: 4308 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Information coming soon!