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culinary arts program, for example. Dorsey has also been home to a top-ranked football
team for decades.
Antoinette Russell’s son is a freshman in the Law and Public Service magnet at
Dorsey. Her family lives in Baldwin Hills and she previously sent both of her sons to a
charter school because of the negative impression that she had of local public schools in
the neighborhood. When her older son graduated and the commute to the charter school
became too much, she and her husband researched Dorsey and were surprised to find that
some of their preconceived notions were wrong.
“I think the resources are here. I just think that schools get a bad rap. I think once
you come into the school and you find out what’s really going on then you see,” said
Russell.
Russell is an active parent in the Dorsey community. While sitting at one of the
school’s monthly parent meetings, she said the challenges that Dorsey faces have the
potential to bring parents and students together. Though she would like to see more
parent involvement, she said just looking around the parent meeting is evidence of the
diversity at the school. Over 30 parents, both black and Latino, attended the Saturday
meeting. Though the majority were black, Russell said she is hopeful that parent
involvement—across the board—will increase. That involvement, she said, is essential to
saving Dorsey and creating a school that will serve everyone in the local community—
without a charter school intervention.