Use the Pro Finder to find a landscape architect or trained garden designer in your area whose work you like. They will be able to help you get privacy, daylight and functional space, they will know which plants work well in your area, and they can help you identify an appropriate budget for your project. IMO, those tv shows bear the same relationship to design that pornography does to real life. ;)

Chain link fence is the #1 item that lowers property values. If it can't be removed, cover it with a planting of cane or bamboo. These are invasive plants, so you'll want to dig down and install a barrier underground and above to limit their bad habit. However, they will grow plenty high to cover the CLF. We have a regular Houzzer on here from Australia whose neighbors built a wall and topped it with metal fencing, but landscaping has helped the problem. Lawsuit pending, but not applicable to your situation.

Believe me, I understand you problem!There are a number of solutions but it all depends what you want, and are allowed to do.The first being:1. You could get large planters and plant bamboo in them - they grow quickly and are very good at hiding things2. You could build a wooden slatted fence (that allows light through) and then trail bougainvillea or honeysuckle through it You could a semi-transparent plexiglas that would create pretty shadows with the sunlight against the chainlink you do, turn the base into a seating area or raised beds so that you don't feel it is ALL fence and oppressive...Many more ideas but that might be a starting point!

A few years ago my mom attached bamboo fencing to her chain link with zip ties. You can get it at lowes for as low as $25 a panel. It comes in 6ft height, but you may be able to stack two on top of each other if you need more height. A lot cheaper than a new fence.

AVS has a lawsuit pending about such an installation, but it went in after the home purchase. Won't work for you. CLF is the #1 item that lowers property values. Cane and bamboo will grow to cover it but are invasive and might even buckle your concrete. If you have no budget you could try this. If more $$$ available, use galvalume instead of to achieve the look with less risk of rust. If you need light to penetrate, transparent varieties with the same corrugated look are available. Depends on how classy or country you'd want to go.

The bougainvillea and the white lattice (I hope vinyl) are great ideas. You need to know if the fence belongs to you or the school before you touch it. My guess is that it belongs to the school. Any changes would have to be on your side and not affect the function of the fence or attach to it.

What climate zone are you in? I'll assume it is southern California for specificity.

I recommend you start by trimming the shrub vine (is it ivy?) hanging over the planter bed with those nice loppers I see on the picnic table. Then buy a few sacks of planting mix and a 64-plant flat or two of blooming annuals. If you think the planter bed gets sun, try pansies. If shade all day, try impatiens. That will allow you to spend the winter planning for a redo, including a budget. Pressure wash the wood fence to clean it up. Sand and refinish the picnic table in clear poly or paint it. Add a large outdoor rug for color. They are not very expensive and add a burst of color.

I have used the bamboo reed fencing and attached them to chain link with zip ties. Then I did a mixed border planting in front with grasses and shrubs. So far it looks pretty good.
For your back yard, please indicate exposure, how much sun/shade it gets. A lot can be done with narrow back or side yards. Doesn't look like you get much sun there in that bed. Are you considering planting edibles there? If not, consider some cool grasses and other plants that can grow near a beach environment.
If you are in California or the west coast check out Sunset Western guide as a resource for plant materials for beach or coastal area.

I know a top landscape designer who sprays chain link fencing black. It gives it a very different look. A little more contemporized and it is a lot less impinging. Then you redirect the focus from the fence by the choices you make within your landscape.

I think there are lots of possibilities.

it depends on your budget, but you could something simple like other suggested- greenery next to the fence like this in Sacramento


And some more inspirations



This is a side yard, but it might help for ideas


It also depends on your zone for plant selection.

Add very tall plants to hide it.

Thank you so much everyone for your suggestions!!! I really appreciate it! To answer a few of the questions - I do live in Southern California...The chain link fence does belong to the school...I took these pics early this morning so by early afternoon I actually do get quite a bit of sunlight...

Plant inspiration:
A Malibu beach patio:

Also Malibu:

LA

San Diego

In Southern California you could have a lot of the plants that are part of the photos posted. Succulents and all the bromeliads work really well. I love vertical gardens, so you could pick and choose from the ideas here and see what works for you. You could even keep the raised bed and make it into a different area. You could look for a local landscaper and see how they can help you. I was lucky to find one where I live and he came up with a plan that I would have never thought of.

I had the same problem and planted a hedge of Arbervitae. They are now grown and are beautiful. I'm not sure how they would do in your area or if you have the space to plant them.

CLUMPING bamboo will cover just about anything. Do some lighting.

Thank you all again!!! If anyone has a specific recommendation for a landscaper in LA please let me know...I found a great guy who landscaped my front yard (which used to be all concrete) and it is adorable now, but he is so difficult to get a hold of...

Yes - I can refer you to a couple. Email me: heredesign@verizon.net