School Profile

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Joseph Arnold Elementary School is one of seventeen elementary schools in the Torrance Unified School District. Arnold School has approximately 600 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade.
Arnold has 22 full-time regular education teachers, 2 full-time STEPS teachers, 2 Learning Center teachers, and a principal. All teachers at Arnold are fully credentialed and highly qualified. In addition to our expert teaching staff we also have a full time counselor, 2 Speech and Language Pathologists, a part-time school psychologist, and a 4th/5th grade music teacher. Our campus is heavily supported by other staff including our school secretary, office assistant, two part time health clerks, custodians and many paraeducators.
Starting in the fall of 2009, all Kindergarten through third grade classes will average 24 students. The average class size in grades four and five will increase from 32 to 34 students.
The number of English Language Learners (ELL) has increased to 30% of the total enrollment. Japanese (8%), Korean (8%), and Spanish (3.6%) represent the major language groups other than English.

School Facilities and Safety

Arnold Elementary School provides a safe, clean environment for learning. Arnold opened in 1964 and has 32 rooms.
The school has a computer lab housed in a classroom, and a library run by the PTA in a portable classroom. Portable modulars house the following programs and their teachers: Speech and language, special education, support services, and counseling.
The Torrance-South Bay YMCA's program for before-school and after-school care has a separate building, as does the preschool Learning and Understanding for Children (LAUNCH) program. The Torrance Unified School District preschool LAUNCH program is housed adjacent to the Arnold campus, but has its own office, parking lot and staff.
Our custodial staff of one daytime custodian and one part-time evening custodian perform basic cleaning operations in each classroom every day. Arnold students have pride in their school as do the parents, staff, and community.
Emergency drills are routinely held for sheltering in place, earthquake, and fire preparedness. Playgrounds are supervised by teachers and campus assistants during school hours. The Arnold PTA has provided emergency supplies for each classroom and additional food and supplies in storage in case of a severe emergency.

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