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Lennox Educational Neighborhood Zone (LENZ)
Overview | Map of Lennox
In a model partnership, New Visions is working side-by-side with the Lennox School District and over 20 local nonprofit agencies to dramatically improve the educational, health and social outcomes for the more than 10,500 children and young adults who reside within the 1.1 square mile zone of Lennox, CA. The primary goal of this partnership is to foster a neighborhood resurgence through a collaboration called the Lennox Educational Neighborhood Zone (LENZ).
Beginning work in 2010, LENZ brought together local partners from the surrounding community to work in a tightly knit collaboration with the District to help improve the education and health outcomes for the children of Lennox.
WHY LENNOX?
Lennox is a 1.1 square mile unincorporated area near LAX Airport, bordered by the 405 and 105 freeways. At approximately 23,000 total residents, Lennox is one of the most densely populated areas in LA County. Slightly less than half of its residents (between 10,000 to 12,000) are between the ages of 0-24. The per capita income is ¼ the U.S. average at $11,364. Over 95% of the children in Lennox qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program. Only 3% of the residents in Lennox have college degrees. In nearly 100% of the homes, English is a second language, and 70% of Lennox elementary and middle school students are classified as English Language Learners. This compares to 25% across California.
In Lennox, public school students are struggling in critical ways. Fewer than half of those entering Kindergarten are deemed ready to start school. And the majority of Lennox children who complete 8th grade score below proficiency in both math and ELA.
LENZ will strive to prepare every child in Lennox to be college-ready. Working with other nonprofits and organizations to accomplish this goal, LENZ implements a vital two-pronged approach – partnering with the school system to assure academic readiness and collaborating with local direct service organizations for wrap-around family support.