Did you know Da Vinci is launching a new adult program in Fall 2025, called LifeLaunch, designed for graduating seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in Healthcare or Aviation?
Students will gain valuable skills, certifications and licenses, earn college credits through El Camino College, and receive personalized career planning and coaching — all while staying connected to their community at Da Vinci Schools, at no cost to students and families.
Please label all items “For DVD Teacher Appreciation” and deliver them to the first-floor reception area. We’ll make sure they make it up to the fourth floor for our staff to enjoy!
Here are some of our staff’s favorite treats:
🥯 Bagels/breads
🍩 Donuts
🍪 Cookies/Brownies/Pastries/muffins
🍎 Fruit
💧 Sparkling Waters
☕ Coffee
🍟 Chips/pretzels/popcorn
Thank you for helping us celebrate and show our staff how much they mean to our community! Your support truly makes a difference.
As a reminder, we invite all juniors and their families to join the DVD Counselors tomorrow Wednesday 4/23 at 5:00 p.m. for the 11th Grade College Planning Information Session. The meeting will be held on the first floor of the Da Vinci campus in the Blackbox.
The 7th annual Johnstone Scholarship application is now open and ready for Da Vinci Seniors to apply! Applications are due Friday, April 25th. No late applications will be accepted. The application link is below.
They intend to select one deserving scholarship recipient from each Da Vinci school.
About the Johnstone Scholarship:
Through the Wiseburn Education Foundation, Dr. Tom and Terry Johnstone have set up a scholarship to help five lucky Da Vinci seniors get a head start their freshman year of college. Dr. Johnstone was the superintendent in Wiseburn for many years and played a significant role helping to open the high school. With his help, Wiseburn Education Foundation is thrilled to be able to offer scholarships to our high school seniors.
Da Vinci Schools is thrilled to announce a powerful, practical, and proven workshop designed to help families decode, dispute, and decrease their college costs. If you’re looking to make college more affordable, this workshop is for you!
What You’ll Learn:
How to analyze, assess, and adjust financial aid award letters.
Strategies for writing clear, compelling, and convincing financial aid appeal letters.
Proven methods to negotiate, navigate, and knock down your college’s cost-effectively.
*You only need to sign up for ONE workshop as all workshops will repeat the same information.
What to Bring:
Your student’s financial aid award letter(s)- applicable to senior families
A notepad or laptop for notes
Any relevant financial documents or estimates
This engaging, enlightening, and empowering workshop will give you the confidence and tools to secure the best financial outcome for college. Don’t miss this opportunity to plan, prepare, and prosper.
Student Led Conference (SLC) week at Da Vinci Design is happening March 10th-13th. We are excited to have you on campus with us! SLCs are an important time when parents and teachers come together for a meeting led by the student. It is a time to highlight a student’s strengths and hard work, to encourage students to set new goals, and to ask guiding questions so students can take ownership of their learning. Every student is expected to participate in leading an SLC with a parent/guardian present this semester. SLCs will happen in-person. See below for SLC schedules and details presented by each grade level teaching team.
Reminders for families arriving for SLCs:
Families can find parking anywhere in the lot north of 201 N. Douglas St.
Please check-in on the 1st floor upon arriving to get a name tag and find which classroom to report to.
Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time to allow time to park and check-in.
Student Led Conferences (SLCs): Grade Level Resources
Here is the Week 26 Bell Schedule for Da Vinci Design:
Thank you to the families who joined us for our Coffee with Admin meeting on Wednesday! It is great getting the chance to meet with families, hear what is on your mind, and share the great things happening at DVD. If you did not get a chance to meet with us this week, click here for the Coffee with DVD Admin slides from March 2025. Coffee with DVD Admin happens at 8am and 5pm via Zoom on the first Wednesday of every month.
WDV Performing Arts Presents: GREASE
Don’t miss the electrifying Wiseburn Da Vinci Performing Arts spring musical, GREASE! Join us for a unforgettable story of friendship, love, and adventure through the 1950s. The first show opens Friday, February 28th and runs through Sunday, March 9th. Grab your tickets today–– this is a show you don’t want to miss!
Come show your support for the talented GREASE cast and crew, who have dedicated countless hours to bringing this show to life. Space is limited––get your tickets today!
Upcoming Events and Key Dates:
Mon, Mar. 10th – Thurs, Mar. 13th: Student Led Conferences (SLCs)
Fri, Mar. 14th: NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day
Mon, Mar. 31st: NO SCHOOL – Cesar Chavez Holiday
Thurs, Apr. 10th: Exhibition Night!
9th / 10th / 11th Grade presentations
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Mon, Apr. 14th – Friday, Apr. 18th: NO SCHOOL – Spring Break
Mon, Apr. 21st: Community Learning Day – No Classes
Tues, Apr. 22nd: Classes Resume – Return from Spring Break
I am writing to share the news that Da Vinci Schools has accepted the resignation of Da Vinci Design Principal Russell Stoll, who is stepping down, effective June 30, 2025.
Russell joined Da Vinci Schools in 2011 and has served as principal of Da Vinci Design since 2021. Under Russell’s leadership, Da Vinci Design has flourished, recently being recognized as a Top 10 Charter School in California for Boosting College and Career Success.
Russell has had a tremendous impact on the culture and climate of Da Vinci Design, most recently leading the WASC re-accreditation process during which Design was recognized as a “model school for project-based learning and innovative projects.” Russell has provided thoughtful leadership in collaborative professional development, in commitment to innovative teaching practices, and in cultivating a school culture of inclusion and student empowerment. He has witnessed the growth of each student at Design since the first graduating class of 2013.
About his work at Da Vinci Design, Russell shared the following:
“I don’t have the words to express what an honor it has been to have Da Vinci Design as my home and my family for the last 14 years. I have the deepest gratitude for the opportunity to have grown so much within Da Vinci Schools over that time. I am so proud to have been a part of a school community that is so innovative, collaborative, caring, and does such incredible student-centered work.”
We are moving thoughtfully to hire the next Da Vinci Design principal. Russell will be part of this process to ensure a smooth transition. Da Vinci Design is well-poised for continued success.
We are extremely grateful for Russell’s outstanding leadership, positive energy, and commitment to supporting all students. We wish Russell our very best as he moves into the next chapter of his life.
With gratitude,
Matthew Wunder, Ed.D.
CEO & Superintendent
Da Vinci Schools
This upcoming Spring semester, Da Vinci Schools is offering three dual enrollment courses.
COMS 100- Public Speaking
(Online)
BUS 101- Introduction to Business
(Asynchronous, Online)
HDEV 110
(Asynchronous, online)
In this course, students will compose, present, and evaluate original speeches. Emphasis is placed on audience analysis, topic selection, research, evidence, organization, delivery, and critical analysis of persuasive communication. Students are required to attend out-of-class speaking events.
3 units
Transfer CSU, UC
*meets graduation requirements at most CSUs
Start Date: February 18th, 2024
This course is a survey of organization and management factors influencing the establishment, location, and operation of businesses. This course emphasizes the functional area of accounting as well as the legal framework within which business activities are conducted. The course also emphasizes the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) in a multicultural and globalized environment.
3 units
Transfer CSU, UC
Start Date: February 18th, 2024
This course provides an exploration of cognitive, psychological, social and physical factors influencing success.
Topics include personal responsibility, critical thinking, motivation, self-efficacy, lifelong learning, health and
wellness, and interpersonal communication in a diverse world. Students will identify and utilize strategies and
resources for success in college, careers, and life.3 units;Transfer CSU, UC
Start Date: February 18th, 2024
Who: Juniors and Seniors from DVC, DVD, and DVS. Based on academic performance and review. 10th grade students will need El Camino dean approval (this means students will need to email the dept. dean at El Camino directly before submitting the dual enrollment form – please see Miss Pam for directions).
What: College courses at Da Vinci Schools, through El Camino College. Courses meet transfer requirements for most Cal State and UC campuses, as well as most private colleges and universities.
Why: Get a start on your college credits! It looks great on your college applications.
Cost: Free! The state of California and Da Vinci Schools pick up the costs, including textbook fees. Donations to help cover the cost of the textbooks from families that can are appreciated.
Where: Classes will be held virtually on the El Camino College student portal (Canvas & MyECC).
To be eligible to take a dual enrollment class, the student will need to pass all their academic classes from first semester, have no credit recovery for A-G classes, and be a junior or senior student. Space is limited and we are accepting forms on a first come first serve basis!
For more information click on the following links:
