Founded in 1905, Micheltorena Street School is a neighborhood school located in the heart of the Silver Lake Community. We are a pre-kinder through sixth grade school on a traditional calendar with approximately 300 students.  Our school believes in the importance the arts as a key component of a balanced education. Our extensive arts program includes dance, drama, visual arts, orchestra, and choral music all taught by highly qualified artists including teachers from the Silver Lake Conservatory of Music.

We have a highly dedicated teaching staff and support staff.  Our teachers are fully credentialed and committed to life-long learning. Our wonderful support staff includes our friendly office, cafeteria, and custodial teams, as well as our nurse, psychologist, and teachers’ assistants.

Even though our school has passed the 100 year mark, it has been continually upgraded to face the needs of students in the 21st Century.  We offer state of the art computer systems, science laboratories, and a brand new Wonder of Reading Library, which doubled the size of our library and book collection.

For busy parents, our school also offers excellent before and after school programs including: Ready, Set Go, a before school program that begins at 6:30 a.m.; and LA’s BEST, a nationally recognized after school education, enrichment and recreation program that provides a safe haven for children during the critical hours after school.  In addition, we offer many enrichment programs including cooking, dance and fitness, science and art, and poetry classes all free of charge to our families.

We believe parental and community involvement is an integral part of every child’s education and have many ways in which parents and community members can become involved.  Whether it’s participating in our PTA, Friends of Micheltorena, or being a member of one of our school committees, Micheltorena is devoted to having its parents and community be an active part of the school.

As a school community, we are committed to student achievement and life-long learning as we look with anticipation to meet the challenges of the future.  We invite you to visit our school and experience the excitement.

Sincerely,

Susanna Choi Furfari
Principal

About our principal: Susanna Furfari has been the Principal of Micheltorena Street School since 2007.  Ms. Furfari has been with the Los Angeles Unified School District since 1992. She worked as a teacher, Title 1 Coordinator, and Literacy Coach at Hoover Street School.  Upon leaving Hoover, she worked as a Specialist for English Learners at the LAUSD Central Offices.  Prior to coming to Micheltorena, she was the Assistant Principal at Logan Street School and Eagle Rock Elementary School.

Ms. Furfari has a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Southern California and a Master’s degree in School Administration from Pepperdine University.  She has also studied abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. Ms. Furfari received her teaching credential through the LAUSD’s  District Intern Program. She is proud to have learned to read, write, and speak Spanish as an adult and believes that all children should have the opportunity to learn to speak more than one language.

Ms. Furfari devotes much of her free time to her family including her two year old twin daughters. She also loves to bake, eat, and play music.

Ms. Furfari is an ardent supporter of public schools.  She believes that the key to an excellent school is parent and community involvement.  Since her arrival at Micheltorena Street School, the parent and community support has risen dramatically. She has overseen the establishment of the Friends of Micheltorena and the Micheltorena PTA.  In addition, she worked with the community to establish a school/community garden.