Da Vinci Schools
Encyclopedia
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. The Los Angeles Times reported that Da Vinci Schools offer a teaching model that would make Leonardo da Vinci
proud.
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
.
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.
; 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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
.
Hawthorne, California
Hawthorne is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. The city at the 2010 census had a population of 84,293, up from 84,112 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, El Segundo
El Segundo, California
El Segundo is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located on the Santa Monica Bay, it was incorporated on January 18, 1917, and is one of the Beach Cities of Los Angeles County and part of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments...
, Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach, California
Manhattan Beach is the wealthiest beachfront city located in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, USA. The city is on the Pacific coast, south of El Segundo, and north of Hermosa Beach. Manhattan Beach is the home of both beach and indoor volleyball, and surfing. During the winter, the...
, and Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach, California
Redondo Beach is one of the three Beach Cities located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 66,748 at the 2010 census, up from 63,261 at the 2000 census. The city is located in the South Bay region of the greater Los Angeles area.Redondo Beach was originally part of...
in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 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. The Los Angeles Times reported that Da Vinci Schools offer a teaching model that would make Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci was an Italian Renaissance polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer whose genius, perhaps more than that of any other figure, epitomized the Renaissance...
proud.
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
Coalition of Essential Schools
The Coalition of Essential Schools is an organization created to further a type of whole-school reform originally envisioned by founder Ted Sizer in his book, Horace's Compromise. CES began in 1984 with twelve schools; it currently has 600 formal members.-Horace's Compromise:Horace's Compromise...
.
History
Da Vinci Schools opened in August 2009 as independent charter high schools. 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 InternationalBelkin
Belkin International, Inc., is a Californian manufacturer of computer hardware that specializes in connectivity devices, headquartered in Playa Vista, Los Angeles, California...
; 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
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
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 TrebuchetTrebuchet
A trebuchet is a siege engine that was employed in the Middle Ages. It is sometimes called a "counterweight trebuchet" or "counterpoise trebuchet" in order to distinguish it from an earlier weapon that has come to be called the "traction trebuchet", the original version with pulling men instead of...
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, 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
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
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State University-Los Angeles, Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
, Com Dev USA, El Camino College
El Camino College
El Camino College is a two-year public community college located partially in the unincorporated area of Alondra Park and partially in the City of Torrance in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is commonly referred to as "Elco" or "ECC"...
, American Society for Engineering Education
American Society for Engineering Education
The American Society for Engineering Education is a non-profit member association, founded in 1893, dedicated to promoting and improving engineering and engineering technology education....
, Grandparents as Parents, High Tech High
Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High Charter School
Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High Charter School, often referred to as High Tech High , is a public charter high school in :San Diego, California...
, iNACOL, Los Angeles Small School Center, LMU School of Education, Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
, Otis College of Art & Design
Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design is an art and design college in Los Angeles, California.The school's programs, accredited by WASC and National Association of Schools of Art and Design, include four-year BFA degrees in illustration, fine arts, graphic design, architecture, landscape design, interior...
, Art Center College of Design, Project Lead the Way, Raytheon
Raytheon
Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
, UCLA, United Friends of the Children, USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, and West L.A. College
West Los Angeles College
West Los Angeles College is a community college located in Culver City, California. It opened in 1969 and serves approximately 10,000 students....
.
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.
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 CollegesClaremont Colleges
The Claremont Colleges are a prestigious American consortium of five undergraduate and two graduate schools of higher education located in Claremont, California, a city east of downtown Los Angeles...
.