Central Los Angeles : BOOST FOR SCHOOL

All the students have some type of learning disorder. Some are autistic. Some are mentally retarded. Some suffer from loss of memory. Many don’t get along with other students. But the facility at the Alternative Education Learning Center in South-Central Los Angeles has been teaching these types of students for 12 years, and last week it was certified by the state Department of Education.

The certification enables the school to take in students from around the state, with participating school districts paying for the tuition.

“The one common thread of our students is that they all have serious emotional and behavioral disorders,” said Frank Devitta, the head schoolmaster. “Every day is an adventure here.”

The private school, which charges $4,100 per year, moved to 51st Place near Normandie Avenue last year, after 12 years at Fairfax Avenue near Olympic Boulevard. Enrollment at the seven-classroom school, which serves grades kindergarten through high school, is 63.

“Traditional methods don’t work here. Most of the students need one-on-one assistance to learn anything,” said Devitta, who got into teaching handicapped students by accident.

“I went to an educationally handicapped students school one day as a substitute and 27 years later I’m still at it. It is the challenge that hooked me,” he said.