826LA Writers' Room

826LA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. Our services are structured around our understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

The Writers’ Room at Manual Arts High School is a creative space that looks much different than your average classroom. On the campus of Manual Arts High School in South LA, the Writers’ Room welcomes students into a comfortable environment where they explore writing. Since 2013, 826LA has provided college access support as well as help with writing projects in all subjects at Manual Arts High School. Over the past few years, 826LA has doubled the number of students served at the school (more than 700 students in 2016 compared to 318 students in 2014). After 826LA’s first year on campus, former Principal Dr. Whitman said, “As a result of this level of support to seniors, [Manual Arts] increased its college acceptance rate by 10% with 42% of our seniors being accepted to four-year colleges during the 2013-2014 school year.”

 The Writers’ Room will continue to be a place where students can get support on their college and scholarship essays, publish their narratives and poetry into chapbooks, and where teachers can bring their classes to get help on expository writing assignments.

We are located in room 240 in the Main Building, 8-4 pm, Monday through Thursday. For specific questions about the Writers’ Room, email 826LA at [email protected]. If you’re a teacher and would like to have 826LA volunteers in your classroom in person or virtually, please fill out this Writers’ Room Interest Form.