Reed Middle School – The Jewel in the Valley   

Contributed by Nora Feldman

These days, with all of the budget cuts facing the Los Angeles Unified School District, North Hollywood’s Walter Reed Middle School sparkles as the jewel in the valley, a haven for the arts and student creativity.   

Reed Middle School boasts an award-winning music program with orchestra, jazz band, chorus and barbershop groups participating in numerous performances throughout the year including a Broadway musical and a musical review and in various regional and California state competitions.  2003 was a record year for Reed Middle School’s California State competitions - - winning first place in almost all categories - - even against high school competitors.  In addition, a Reed student won the California State PTA Reflections Music Composition and was honored at the PTA State Convention held this past year in Sacramento. 

Reed Middle School also has an award-winning and recognized art program that is available to all students.  This program’s students have won many accolades for their artwork, including awards and recognition from the prestigious Neutrogena Art Foundation Program.  Numerous Reed art students  have been honored with exhibitions of their works at MOCA and the Los Angeles Main Public Library, among other venues. 

The creativity just doesn’t stop.  Reed Middle School is also unique in that it houses both an award-winning Drill Team and an award-winning Hip Hop Team, which competes on an ongoing basis performing in local, regional and state competitions; many times pitted and winning against long established high school teams. 

With the support of funds raised by Reed parent/student groups: PTSA, IHP and Music Boosters, Reed Middle School continues to shine as a jewel of creativity.