Historic photographs from 1940 shows students in classes at Rosewood School. (photo courtesy of LA Unified)

Built in 1926 in the Spanish Colonial Revival and Churrigueresque style during a period of expansive growth in Los Angeles, particularly in the Hollywood area, Rosewood School served the growing population of families enrolling children in the public school district. The elementary school, located at 503 N. Croft Ave. near the present-day border of Los Angeles and West Hollywood, was designed by Alfred S. Nibecker, Jr., who was involved in the construction of many Los Angeles Unified School District campuses from the 1920s-50s. The campus prepared students for transfer to campuses such as John Burroughs Middle School and Fairfax High, which both opened two years earlier. The original main school buildings were significantly altered in 1959 to comply with updated seismic requirements for public schools, LAUSD historic preservation specialist and coordinator Chris Taylor said.  

Over the ensuing decades, generations of students attended classes at Rosewood Avenue Elementary, which continues to offer a robust education to the current student body today. Rosewood STEM Magnet celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2026, marking 100 years of providing quality education to young learners. 

Principal Linda Crowder, who took the reins at Rosewood 18 years ago, said star power has always been an important part of the school’s history. Among the most memorable days on campus came in 1987 when First Lady Nancy Reagan visited as part of the D.A.R.E. anti-substance abuse program. Perhaps the most famous alum is actress Mila Kunis, who attended the fifth grade at Rosewood in 1994, Crowder said.  

Historic photographs from 1969 shows students in classes at Rosewood School. (photo courtesy of LA Unified)

In 2018, the school transformed into the Rosewood STEM Magnet of Urban Planning and Urban Design, open to LAUSD students from across the city interested in a curriculum with a focus on urban planning. The campus transformed into a dynamic educational center that sets an example for public school campuses. 

“When I arrived, the school was a traditional school and it had really lost enrollment. There were lots of unfilled bungalows on the yard and I was able to have the bungalows taken down and I was able to fence the school for safety,” Crowder said. “Then and we started reflecting on what can we do to really make Rosewood a stellar school. One of my teachers said, ‘What about urban planning and urban design?’ We realized that was one of the best things that we could have done because it teaches kids about their community. Because we are a magnet school, we had kids coming in from everywhere throughout Los Angeles.” 

And while Rosewood places emphasis on project-based learning and core subjects to prepare students for life and careers ahead, the school’s arts program still sets it apart. In 2012, Rosewood was adopted by the nonprofit Adopt the Arts, formed by musician Matt Sorum, of Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver. Sorum, who lived near the school at the time, started Adopt the Arts in response to budget cuts forcing schools to cut music programs. He partnered with Rosewood as the first Adopt the Arts school, renovating the music lab and stocking it with instruments. To this day, the nonprofit continues to fund a dedicated music teacher at the campus. Actor, musician and Adopt the Arts ambassador John Stamos, a close friend of Sorum, has taken the baton, stepping in to continue support for Rosewood. Stamos said every child should learn the magic of music, and he energized the school community at a 100th anniversary celebration in June. 

“Look, I was a band geek. Without having a place to go every day after school – I played in marching band, I played in jazz band – I’d probably be dead now,” Stamos said. “What I love about these music programs, and especially this one, is it gives these kids an identity. The great Matt Sorum, he’s been a friend of mine for about 30 years. I said, ‘I’m in, let me adopt this school and show up when I can and give it the attention it deserves.’” 

Rosewood STEM Magnet students performed at the 100th anniversary celebration in June. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Because of supporters like Sorum and Stamos, students at Rosewood STEM Magnet are creating music and memories, gaining skills that may someday bring them to the orchestra hall or concert stage. Crowder said the music program remains an important part of her larger approach to preparing students for anything that lies ahead. The school serves approximately 300 students in transitional kindergarten through fifth grade, and Crowder has expanded this year with a new California state preschool program for children starting at age 2.  

“I think it is critical you are making sure you are meeting the needs of your community,” Crowder said. “We are forging forward, and we are doing that because early education is vitally important. We are doing everything we can to make sure Rosewood is a stellar school.” 

Crowder added another important aspect remains the goal of instilling pride in young learners about themselves and their unique communities. Students at Rosewood live in many corners of Los Angeles, and they benefit from affirmation and positive reinforcement, Crowder said.  

“They come in from the south, the north, east and west, and when they learn more about their communities, they are really able to better understand that they needed to take pride in that because that is who they are,” she said. “I’m excited about all the positive changes that have taken place at Rosewood, things that can only ensure student success and achievement. The school has a vision and mission, and our goal is that everyone has the opportunity to be successful.”