Da Vinci Schools

Da Vinci Schools
Address
13500 Aviation Boulevard Hawthorne, California
Information
Type	Public, Charter
Opened	2009
Grades	K-12
Number of students	Da Vinci Design - 413 Da Vinci Science - 479 Innovation Academy - 232
Website	www.davincischools.org

Da Vinci Schools are small, college-preparatory K-12 public charter schools located at the corners of Hawthorne, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach in Los Angeles, California, United States, in close proximity to leading aerospace and high tech companies, design firms, and major universities.

Students enrolled in Da Vinci Design are preparing for college and 21st century careers in advertising, architecture, digital design, industrial design, product design, user experience design and other jobs that call for skills in art, science and technology.

Students enrolled in Da Vinci Science develop an emphasis in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects.

In August 2011, Da Vinci Schools opened the Da Vinci Innovation Academy, a new hybrid educational model for K-8 students that combines school-site instruction with home-based learning.

Da Vinci Schools are dedicated to preparing students for college completion and 21st century jobs through an interdisciplinary project-based "learn by doing" curriculum that exceeds state content standards and California's "a-g" university admissions requirements. Da Vinci Schools offer students close relationships with teachers, community partnerships, mentoring relationships with industry professionals, job shadows in the 10th grade, internships in the 11th grade, and an Early College program where students are concurrently enrolled in college classes while they earn their high school diploma.

Established in 2009, Da Vinci Schools have earned a reputation for hands-on learning and a new public-private partnership model where industry helps to define the real-world skill sets needed to prepare students for jobs in today's global economy. In 2010, California's top educator, 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" because students learn by doing—producing projects that prepare them with the 21st century skills needed for success in college and the global workplace.^[1] The Los Angeles Times reported that Da Vinci Schools offer a teaching model that would make Leonardo da Vinci proud.^[2]

In October 2010, Da Vinci Science was cited by the U.S. Department of State as a "best practice" example demonstrating how industry, government, academia and the K-12 community can effectively collaborate to engage students in STEM education. In 2011, the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)/Corporate Member Council (CMC) selected Da Vinci Science as a recipient of the 2011 Excellence in Engineering Education Collaboration Award for its extensive collaboration with Northrop Grumman and with leading universities that promote engineering education for young people.

For the 2009-2010 school year, Da Vinci Schools’ 448 students came from 96 different schools and 38 different zip codes.

In August 2011, Da Vinci Schools will open the Da Vinci Innovation Academy, a new hybrid model K-8 school that combines school-site instruction with home-based learning.

In 2012, Da Vinci Charter High Schools will be fully enrolled with approximately 500 students per school in grades 9 through 12.

The Executive Director of Da Vinci Schools is Dr. Matthew Wunder. Steve Wallis serves as Principal of Da Vinci Science and Collen O'Boyle is Principal of Da Vinci Design. Dr. Nicole Tempel Assisi serves as Principal of Da Vinci Innovation Academy.

Da Vinci Schools are fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) and are a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools.

History

Da Vinci Schools opened in August 2009 as independent charter high schools.^[3] Da Vinci Schools are managed by Wiseburn 21st Century Charter Schools, a nonprofit independently governed Local Education Agency authorized by the Wiseburn (K-8) School District and approved by the California Department of Education.

Admission to Da Vinci Schools is by lottery pursuant to California charter law. Students who reside in the Wiseburn community are given admission preference to attend Da Vinci Schools.

For the 2009-2010 school year, Da Vinci Schools had 21 full-time teachers, of which 16 have Master’s degrees and four are National Board Certified Teachers. Teachers of core subjects teach no more than 64 students in a semester. Teachers are provided with 18 days of professional development and five hours a week for collaborative planning and learning from scientists, designers and other industry leaders.

The name Da Vinci Schools was suggested by students in an ideation workshop in 2008 because Leonardo da Vinci has often been described as the archetypal Renaissance artist, scientist and engineer who learned by doing.

In 2010, Da Vinci Schools received full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) for a four-year term through June 2013.

In August 2011, Da Vinci Schools will open the Da Vinci Innovation Academy, a new hybrid educational model for K-8 students that combines school-site instruction with home-based learning.

Board of Trustees

President - Chet Pipkin, Chairman and Founder, Belkin International; Vice President - Dr. Donald Brann, former superintendent, Wiseburn School District, current member of the El Segundo City Council; Treasurer - Gary Wayland, Wayland & Vukadinovich, LLP and President of the Manhattan Beach Athletic Foundation; Trustee - Art Lofton, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Sector Vice President, Information Technology Solutions and Chief Information Officer; Trustee - Cheryl Cook, community activist, Da Vinci Science parent.

Curriculum & Philosophy

Project-based learning (PBL) 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 California state standards and 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.^[4]

Student progress is measured and assessed through traditional tests and quizzes, public presentations of learning, exhibitions, and digital portfolios.

In order to graduate, Da Vinci students must successfully complete 4 years of English, 3 years of Social Studies, 3 years of Math, 3 years of Science, 2 semesters of a Foreign Language, and 1 year of Art. They must also complete 3 Presentations of Learning, 2 Internships, 1 Senior Project, 1 Service Learning Project, and 3 Early College courses.

Community Partnerships

Northrop Grumman Innovation Lab

Da Vinci Schools have community partnerships with many corporate, nonprofit and education institutions. Community partners offer students and faculty access to expert knowledge, industry-specific curriculum, internship opportunities, academic mentoring, teacher training, early college programs, career guidance, and job shadowing experiences.

Some of Da Vinci Schools’ Community Partners include: Northrop Grumman, Belkin International, The Boeing Company, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State University-Los Angeles, Chevron Corporation, Com Dev USA, El Camino College, American Society for Engineering Education, Grandparents as Parents, High Tech High, iNACOL, Los Angeles Small School Center, LMU School of Education, Mattel, Otis College of Art & Design, Art Center College of Design, Project Lead the Way, Raytheon, UCLA, United Friends of the Children, USC, and West L.A. College.

In January 2010, Da Vinci Schools opened the Northrop Grumman Innovation Lab, a state-of-the-art media center where students have access to the latest technology to research, design and bring their real-world projects to life.^[5]

In April 2010, Chevron Corporation awarded Da Vinci Schools an "Energy for Learning" grant as part of its $1 million investment in California schools to stimulate interest in STEM careers.

Early College

Students enrolled in Da Vinci Schools’ Early College program attend college classes on the Da Vinci campus while simultaneously earning their high school diploma. Da Vinci students are required to complete at least two college classes as part of the graduation requirements. During the 2009-2010 school year, two college classes were offered in collaboration with El Camino College: Group Discussion (Speech) and Robotics. The robotics curriculum was developed in partnership with Project Lead The Way. These classes are taught on the Da Vinci campus by El Camino College professors at no cost to families.

Internships

Da Vinci students are required to complete three job internship experiences in the 11th and 12th grades. The goal of the internship 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. The internship is an unpaid, academic program. Each intern has a school-site mentor and attends job skills workshops prior to, and during, the internship.

Community Service

Da Vinci students are required to perform a minimum of 25 hours of Community Service each year. Community Service must be as a volunteer and benefit the community at large. Families must also fulfill 25 hours of community service per year through volunteering on-campus, engaging with students off campus doing educational activities, or enrolling in college studies of their own.

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. During the 2010-2011 school year, students toured USC, UCLA, UC San Diego, Pepperdine University, LMU, and The Claremont Colleges.

Advisory

Every student is enrolled in an Advisory class that is gender and grade-level specific. 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

Every Da Vinci student is assigned a laptop computer and maintains their work in a digital portfolio. 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.

Electives

Seminar classes (similar to electives) are practical, real-world non-core classes that are co-taught by Da Vinci faculty and industry professionals. Some recent non-core classes have included: Game Theory, Web Design, Robotics, Financial Literacy, Creative Writing, Engineering, and Photography.

Extracurricular Activities

Da Vinci Schools offer extracurricular activities, including after-school clubs, intramural sports, and arts.

References

1. ^ http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_14184046?IADID=Search-www.dailybreeze.com-www.dailybreeze.com
2. ^ Landsberg, Mitchell. [1], "Los Angeles Times",December 29, 2009.
3. ^ http://www.tbrnews.com/articles/2009/09/04/el_segundo_news/news15.txt
4. ^ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/where-learning-by-doing-is-no-mere-slogan/
5. ^ http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_14281676

External links

• Da Vinci Schools

Coordinates: 33°54′29″N 118°22′34″W / 33.90806°N 118.37611°W / 33.90806; -118.37611