Da Vinci Design

Greetings Designers and Design Families! It’s about that time!

We hope you’re soaking up the last few days of a fun, safe, and restful summer! The countdown is almost over—our new school year begins on Monday, August 18, 2025, and we can’t wait to see our students back on campus. Our amazing staff has been hard at work preparing classrooms, planning engaging lessons, and creating a welcoming space for every student. It’s going to be a fantastic year, and we’re so excited to begin it together!

Important info including the 2025-2026 Student and Family Handbook and New Family Information can also be found in the “Resources” section (to the right via computer, or at the very end of this webpage via mobile phone). You can also find highlights of important upcoming dates below.

Welcome back Designers! We look forward to making this year the best one yet!

Sincerely,
Team DVD

***

First Day of School Info: Monday, August 18th

On Monday, August 18th, students will head to the field first, then be welcomed into the Black Box theater. Students walk through a tunnel of cheering teachers to the black box, where the whole school gathers before meeting in small groups within the classrooms. All students will begin the day in Advisory, and will receive their class schedules in Advisory. PowerSchool access is temporarily locked while we upload student schedules – but will be accessible on the first day of school. If a student believes there is an error in their school schedule, students should go to the front office during passing period after Advisory.

Remember: traffic during the first two weeks of school is busier than usual; we recommend you arrive in the parking lot at least 15 minutes before your school start time to ensure your child makes it on time. See parking lot reminders below.

Note: DVD is focused on creating comfortable, enjoyable experiences for our neurodiverse population by priming, posting, and providing. Students can expect loud volume and large crowds. Earplugs will be available near the student check-in at the bike racks. For an alternate entry or other support, please contact Asst. Principal Korina Pailin (kpailin@davincischools.org) by Sunday, 8/17.

This is the DVD Week One Bell Schedule:

For the 2025-2026 school year, the start time for Da Vinci Design will remain the same at 8:40am Monday-Thursday and the traditional “late start” for Friday is 9:45am. The end time for the school day is 3:45pm each day.

Key Dates and Upcoming Events:

• Mon, Aug. 18th: First Day of School!
• Mon, Aug. 25th & Tues, Aug. 26th: Picture Day (during English classes
• Wed, Aug 27th: 12th & 11th graders sign-up for seminars
• Thurs, Aug. 28th: 10th & 9th graders sign-up for seminars
• Mon, Sept. 1st: NO SCHOOL – LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
• Week of Tues, Sept. 2nd: Seminar (P8) Begins
• Wed, Sept. 3rd: Coffee w/ Admin @8am and @5pm via Zoom
• Wed, Sept. 10th: 9th graders leave for Overnighter @ 8:40am
• Thurs, Sept. 11th: 9th graders return from Overnighter @ approx. 2:30pm
• Fri, Sept. 12th: No School – Professional Development Day
• Thurs, Sept. 18th: Back to School Night @ 5:30pm
• Fri, Sept. 19th: DV Club & Service Learning Fair

Parking Lot Details and Reminders

• Please drive safely and patiently in the parking lot; this means entering and exiting through the properly marked areas, dropping students off only in marked areas, and following the directions of our grounds supervision crew
• Drop off areas are located 1) at 201 N. Douglas AND at 2) [East] Grand Avenue. Do NOT stop in traffic to drop off students across the street or anywhere along Duley Road.
• Remind your students to please stay on the designated pedestrian pathways in order to help maintain their safety as they enter the school campus.
• Remember: you don’t have to wait to get to the front of line of the drop off area to have your students exit the vehicle.  They should exit as soon as the vehicle has come to a safe, complete stop. This will help to make sure the drop off area is used as efficiently as possible.
• Students will not be allowed to enter or leave school through the gym or the pool deck at any time.

Hello DVD Families,

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.

We hope you there!

DVD Counselors

Da Vinci Seniors:

The 7^th 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.

APPLY HERE

 

Good morning DVD Senior Families,

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.

Workshop Dates & Details:

Location: Room 3203, Da Vinci Communications
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Dates:

• Friday, March 14
• Friday, March 21
• Friday, April 4
• Friday, April 11

*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.

 

You may RSVP HERE

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

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

• 9th Grade SLC Resources: Overview Letter & Schedule Link
• 10th Grade SLC Resources: Overview Letter | Sign-Up Link (via Sign Up Genius)
• 11th Grade SLC Resources: Overview Letter | Schedule Link
• 12th Grade SLC Resources: Overview Letter | Schedule Link | RSVP Link

Please click here for the parent/guardian expectations and FAQs letter for Student Led Conferences; in English and en Espanol.

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!

>> Purchase your tickets here!

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

Dear Families and Friends of Da Vinci Design,

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

Hello Seniors and Senior Families:

You’re almost at the finish line! This week in English class, DVD’s Dean Ms. B presented important information for the Class of 2025.

See the link here for important dates and details regarding Senior Activities! 
Senior Activities One-Sheet: Class of 2025

Important Class of 2025 Dates:

Prom – Friday, May 2, 2025
Disneyland Grad Nite – Friday, June 6, 2025
Graduation Ceremony – Thursday, June 12, 2025 @ 5pm