Da Vinci Schools is a public charter school network located at the corners of Hawthorne, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach in Los Angeles, California, United States. Da Vinci Schools are dedicated to preparing students for college completion and 21st century jobs through an interdisciplinary real-world, project-based "learn by doing" curriculum that exceeds state content standards and California's "a-g" university admissions requirements. Da Vinci signature programs and practices include: project-based real-world learning; career pathways: a small and personalized learning environment where every student is known, seen and valued; strategic public-private partnerships with many innovative industry, higher-ed, and nonprofit leaders; a Work Experience Program in which high school students gain on-the-job, work experience; and an Early College Program in which students take college classes for credit while they simultaneously earn their high school diploma. Established in 2009, Da Vinci Schools offer a project-based, real world learning model where industry partners help to bridge the gap between education and employment. Dr. David Brown, the former executive director of the WASC Accrediting Commission, said "Da Vinci Schools are among the very finest I've seen." Former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, said "Da Vinci Schools should be a model for other public schools in the state." The Los Angeles Times reported that Da Vinci Schools offer a teaching model that would make Leonardo da Vinci proud. Ninety-eight of Da Vinci graduates have successfully completed the A-G subject requirements for admission to a University of California or Cal State campus. Da Vinci graduates have been accepted to every UC and CSU, and to Stanford, MIT, Yale, Columbia, Brown, Princeton, Dartmouth, Purdue, USC, LMU, and many other prestigious private and public universities across the nation. In Fall 2017, Da Vinci Communications, Da Vinci Design and Da Vinci Science high schools co-located to a new Wiseburn campus at 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo, CA. Da Vinci Schools are fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges and are a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools.
Schools
Da Vinci Connect is a public K-8 charter school offering families two unique learning models that combine homeschool instruction with school-based learning: Homeschool Hybrid Program- 2 days of project-based learning on campus. Families are the primary educators on non-classroom days; and Homeschool Collaborative Program– 5-day per week of homeschool program with 1 optional day per week of inquiry-based workshops on campus. Da Vinci Communications High School offers a college-prep, project-based, real-world curriculum and career pathways in computer science, journalism, strategic communications, and music & media production. Da Vinci Design High School offers a college-prep, project-based, real-world curriculum and career pathways in architecture and graphic design. Da Vinci Science High School offers a college-prep, project-based, real-world curriculum and career pathways in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and biomedical engineering. Da Vinci RISE High offers an individualized education for foster, homeless, dropout, and other youth who have struggled in a traditional school setting. Da Vinci Extension offers three unique pathways leading to college degree completion, in partnership with College for America at Southern New Hampshire University, UCLA Extension, and El Camino College.
Board of trustees
President - Dr. Donald Brann, former superintendent of Wiseburn School District and a member of the El Segundo City Council; Board Vice President/Secretary - Jennifer Morgan, Wiseburn community member, small business owner; Treasurer - Brian Meath, Principal with Nigro Karlin Segal & Feldstein, LLP; Trustee - Israel Mora, General Manager, Interstate Hotels; Trustee - Roger Bañuelos, President of Element Consulting, Inc.; Trustee - Kenneth Brown, Senior Systems Engineer, Northrop Grumman
Curriculum & philosophy
Project-based learning is learn-by-doing curriculum that integrates core subjects with real-life problems to be solved. Teachers work in teams with one another to identify key content standards and essential skills that need to be addressed at the grade-level. Then, teachers work backwards to plan their curriculum, striving to create a project that centers on a big idea and a real world connection. Students work in teams to create a final product that demonstrates mastery of content standards and a demonstration of key skills. One of the most important aspects of project-based learning is a public presentation of the work created, as assessment is based on students’ ability to articulate and demonstrate the content and skills learned. For a recent Engineering project, students learned about mechanics and motion, then constructed a Medieval-style Trebuchet to calculate the trajectory of a ball’s travel from its starting point to its ending point represented by a quadratic equation. Student progress is measured and assessed through traditional tests and quizzes, public presentations of learning, projects, and exhibitions. Da Vinci Schools' graduation requirements are aligned with the UC/Cal State admission requirements. 98% of the Class of 2018 graduates met the UC and CSU “A-G” requirements for admission; 78% of the Class of 2016 graduates received four-year university offers.
Community partnerships
Da Vinci Schools has strategic partnerships with many corporate, nonprofit and education institutions. Community partners offer students and faculty access to expert knowledge, industry-specific curriculum, internship opportunities, mentoring, teacher training, dual enrollment programs, career guidance, volunteer support, direct funding, and much more. Some of Da Vinci Schools’ partners include: Northrop Grumman, Belkin International, The Boeing Company, Chevron Corporation, Raytheon, SpaceX, Gensler, 72andSunny, Karten Design, Project Lead the Way, El Camino College, UCLA Extension, Southern New Hampshire University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Loyola Marymount University, and many more.
Early college/dual enrollment
High school students have the opportunity to earn college credits for free while simultaneously earning their high school diploma. Higher education partners include El Camino College, UCLA Extension, Southern New Hampshire University, West L.A. College, and Cal State University Dominguez Hills.
Work experience and internships
Da Vinci high school students have the opportunity to work unpaid at local businesses and corporations as part of the Real World Learning Program. The goal of the Work Experience Program is to provide students with workplace skills in a real-world environment. Additionally, the program is designed to develop a talent pool of diverse employees to meet the local community’s workforce planning objectives. Work Experience and Internship partners include Belkin, 72andSunny, Gensler, Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, Old Navy, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, FIDM, Toyota Sports Center, New Earth, and many more.
Community service
Da Vinci high school students are required to perform a minimum of 20 hours of Community Service each year. Community Service must be as a volunteer and benefit the community at large.
College counseling
Students and families are guided through the college process, including the financial aid process, via college counseling with on-site counselors and advisory teachers. Starting in 10th grade, students receive additional guidance in testing, financial literacy, and in exploring college options. By the start of the senior year they will be ready to finalize their college lists and focus on the actual applications. Da Vinci seniors are required to apply to a minimum of two colleges. Students begin making college visits in the 9th grade. Past college visits have included trips to USC, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, Pepperdine University, LMU, and the Claremont Colleges.
Advisory
Every student is enrolled in an Advisory class for the full 4 years of high school that includes students from 9-12 grade. The advisory class is a place where students can bond with each other, get academic support, and have a safe place to share their feelings.
Technology
Technology is integrated throughout the day in student performance, classroom instruction, data management, and communication. Da Vinci Schools recently adopted digital math and physics resources that students use both on campus and from home. A web-based student management system provides families a portal to check their child’s progress 24/7.
Seminars (electives)
Seminar classes are practical, real-world non-core classes. Some recent seminar classes have included: Architecture and Design, Vehicle Design, Toy Design, Game Theory, Product and Industrial Design, Web Programming, Robotics, Flight School, Aerospace Engineering, Rocketry, Creative Writing, Leadership, Youth and Government, Drama, Yearbook, CrossFit, Yoga, Photography, and many more.
Extracurricular activities
Da Vinci Schools offer extracurricular activities, including CIF sports, after-school clubs, music, and more. There is also a non-profit Crossfit gym, Crossfit Zen, that offers a free after school exercise program for Da Vinci Science students. This program is funded by a once per year fundraiser, and Da Vinci Science students are creating a documentary that follows its development.
