More than 60,000 LAUSD students return to class for Winter Academy
Published January 5, 2026, 11:48 PM
More than 60,000 students across the Los Angeles Unified School District began classes Monday as part of the districtâs annual Winter Academy, a week-long academic acceleration and enrichment program held during winter break.
Running Jan. 5 to 9, the program offers instruction in English language arts and math, along with enrichment courses including visual and performing arts, STEAM and financial literacy. Winter Academy is being offered at 319 school sites districtwide this year.
Elementary students work at Winter Academy at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies on Monday, January 5, 2026. The week-long program enrichment program provides more than 60,000 students at 319 sites a chance to get a jump start of studies for the new year. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jr. high students work on a surface tension experiment at Winter Academy at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies on Monday, January 5, 2026. The week-long program enrichment program provides more than 60,000 students at 319 sites a chance to get a jump start of studies for the new year. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Joel Ward shows off some space magic for students at Winter Academy at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies on Monday, January 5, 2026. The week-long program enrichment program provides more than 60,000 students at 319 sites a chance to get a jump start of studies for the new year. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Winter Academy at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies on Monday, January 5, 2026. The week-long program enrichment program provides more than 60,000 students at 319 sites a chance to get a jump start of studies for the new year. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Norman Goss, a 6th grade LAUSD student, does an experiment using static electricity at Winter Academy at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies on Monday, January 5, 2026. The week-long program enrichment program provides more than 60,000 students at 319 sites a chance to get a jump start of studies for the new year. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Alberto M. Carvalho, LAUSD Superintendent, talks with students at Winter Academy at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies on Monday, January 5, 2026. The week-long program enrichment program provides more than 60,000 students at 319 sites a chance to get a jump start of studies for the new year. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Guevarra, an 11th grade LAUSD student, works out an algebra equation at Winter Academy at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies on Monday, January 5, 2026. The week-long program enrichment program provides more than 60,000 students at 319 sites a chance to get a jump start of studies for the new year. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Elementary students work at Winter Academy at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies on Monday, January 5, 2026. The week-long program enrichment program provides more than 60,000 students at 319 sites a chance to get a jump start of studies for the new year. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho and LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin visited classrooms Monday at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies in Tarzana, where they observed instruction and spoke with teachers and students.
While the deadline for online registration has passed, families may still enroll students in person at participating host schools, beginning Monday, Jan. 5. A full list of Winter Academy sites is available on the districtâs website.
