Ridna Shkola of Los Angeles is the Ukrainian Saturday School, the only Ukrainian school in Southern California. It has been established more than 50 years ago with the mission to teach the Ukrainian language, history, and culture to children of immigrants from Ukraine. Ridna Shkola is a 501.c3 non-profit organization.
In the 1950-1960s Ukrainian church parishes ran their own schools. In the 1970s, the Ukrainians of Los Angeles saw the need for a united community school. Prominent architect Taras Kozbur designed the basement level for this purpose – an extension to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church – specifically for Ridna Shkola of Los Angeles. And on February 21, 1987, Ridna Shkola of Los Angeles moved into its new home where it flourished for 32 years.
In 2019 Ridna Shkola suffered a blow when the woe-priest decided to end the established tradition of the community and evicted Ridna Shkola despite the outrage and public protests among the community. Fortunately, the Ukrainian Cultural Center of Los Angeles took the school under its wing.
Over its more than half-a-century history Ridna Shkola graduated thousands of students, who are active members and donors of the Ukrainian community and organizations. Ridna Shkola of Los Angeles, Inc. admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs.
Our Mission:
- Patriotic upbringing of kids
- Educational programs for kids:
- Ukrainian language
- Ukrainian history
- Ukrainian culture and music
- Serve as a communication hub for Ukrainian kids and parents in the greater Los Angles area
- Saint Mykolai and Family Day concerts-fundraisers.
- Participate in concerts and other events of the LA Ukrainian community
Our Goal:
Raise funds to get Ridna Shkola the permanent facilities where kids who want to learn the Ukrainian language, history, music, and culture would feel comfortable and inspired.