Sherman Oaks CES To Close Permanently

SOCES Fails Accreditation After Surprise WASC Visit. Will close immediately and reopen as a special private school.

By: Phil McPhilerton

(Image courtesy of https://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/the-6-schools-thatll-make-you-feel-like-youre-at-hogwarts)

In a stunning turn of events, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) has stripped Sherman Oaks CES of its accreditation, and by decree of the Governor, SOCES has lost its license as an institute of education and must immediately shut down. This includes online learning. All students who have been attending SOCES this year will be stripped of their credits and will be forced to repeat their current grade next year. This includes seniors who now must repeat their 12th grade year.

After their visit last year and very strong evaluation of SOCES, WASC surprised the campus with an unannounced visit last semester. When they arrived, the school was empty despite it being a school day. The WASC team returned the next two days finding the school abandoned on each visit.

“We have no choice but to strip Sherman Oaks CES of its accreditation,“ said one of the WASC team members. “When a school just randomly shuts down and doesn’t even let students enter, then we have a major problem.”

SOCES officials attempted to appeal the decision, arguing that no one was at school because of the pandemic. However, the appeal came too late and a private investor has already purchased the grounds and the facilities to be used as a new private school.

LAUSD officials would not comment on the selling of the property or about what kind of new school it will be. Unfortunately, SOCES students will not be allowed to transfer to this private school. The specialized school only accepts students that they have recruited and invited.

However, the Knight Times has learned that this new private school will be a new branch of Hogwarts, the clandestine school from England that trains wizards. One LAUSD board member did confirm this with us but would only speak on the condition of anonymity.

It has been rumored that Hogwarts has been looking to expand to the United States for many years. After their students nearly destroyed the world, Hogwarts spent the next several years restoring its reputation. Although Hogwarts students did ultimately save the world, many communities were not comfortable with a branch opening up in their neighborhoods.

Current SOCES students may not be able to attend Hogwarts, however, so if they are interested in attending a private school, the new Charles Xavier School for Gifted Youngers may be a right fit for the many gifted students of SOCES.