Week 33 Preview: Teacher Appreciation Week!

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Greetings Designers and Design Families,

Teacher Appreciation Week is right around the corner — May 5th–May 9th, 2025 — and we’re excited to celebrate our incredible staff! We’d love your help in making the week extra special by providing some treats or words of appreciation  for our staff to enjoy. If you’re interested and willing, please use the links below to support Staff Appreciation Week.

  • If you are willing to write notes of appreciation Your kind words mean so much to our team! NOTES HERE
  • If you’d like to bring a treat, please sign up below to drop off goodies on select mornings during the week of May 5–9. TREATS HERE

NOTE: 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 is the Bell Schedule for Week 33 at DVD:

With the end of the semester and POLs approaching soon, it is time for our last round of progress reports. Progress reports are being mailed home next week on May 9th. The purpose of progress reports is to give families the opportunity to have a snapshot of student progress, and to be able to have a conversation at home with students about how to stay successful in school. This information will also be used by teachers and counselors in their plans to support all students. Please follow up with your child’s teachers directly with any questions about assignments or grades.

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Mon, 5/5 – Fri, 5/9: Teacher Appreciation Week!
    • If you are willing to write notes of appreciation your kind words mean so much to our team: NOTES HERE
    • If you’d like to bring a treat, please sign up below to drop off goodies on select mornings during the week of May 5–9: TREATS HERE
  • Mon, 5/5 – Fri, 5/9: Asian American Pacific Islander Spirit Week, CD on Fri 5/9
  • Mon, 5/5 – Fri, 5/9: Make-up CAASPP Testing
  • Wed, May 7th: Coffee w/ Admin
    • All DVD parents and guardians welcome! Join for brief school updates and open Q&A with the DVD admin team.
    • 8am or 5pm, via Zoom
    • Agenda: 1) Campus Updates & Highlights, 2) Upcoming Calendar Events, 3) End Of Year Updates, 4) Q&A
    • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
  • Fri, May 9th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
  • Wed, May 14th: Senior Awards Night
  • Mon, May 19th: Last week of Seminar Classes (P7 & P8)
  • Wed, May 21st: Senior Showcase
  • Monday, May 26th: NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day Holiday
Posted in Weekly Updates

LifeLaunch Virtual Info Session May 7th!

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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.

LifeLaunch Virtual Info Session – Join Us!

When: May 7, 2025 | 6:00-7:00 pm

Where: Via Zoom

Submit a LifeLaunch Interest Form today to stay on top of the latest news!

Questions? Contact Ebony Bobadilla at ebobadilla@davincischool.org.

Posted in Grade 12, Real World Learning

Da Vinci Design and Da Vinci Communications Granted Full, Six-Year Accreditation by WASC

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We are thrilled to announce that both Da Vinci Design and Da Vinci Communications have been awarded six-year accreditations—the highest level possible—by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). This recognition reaffirms Da Vinci’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality education and promoting long-term success for all students.

Last year, Da Vinci Connect and Da Vinci RISE also earned full six-year accreditations. Next week, WASC will be visiting Da Vinci Science as part of its ongoing accreditation process.

WASC accreditation is a voluntary process through which schools demonstrate that they meet rigorous standards of educational quality and excellence. This well-respected accreditation can impact important factors such as credit transferability, eligibility for federal financial aid, and overall institutional credibility.

The Commission granted accreditation for Da Vinci Design and Da Vinci Communications through June 30, 2031. Each school underwent a rigorous evaluation process that included a comprehensive self-study, peer review, and the successful completion of an on-site, three-day accreditation visit by a team of experienced educators.

“We are incredibly proud of Da Vinci Design and Da Vinci Communications for earning this highest level of accreditation,” said Dr. Matthew Wunder, Da Vinci’s CEO/Superintendent. “This achievement reflects the dedication of so many team members who contributed to this outstanding result and who work every day to ensure the quality and impact of Da Vinci’s programs and services.”

“I wish to extend my deep appreciation to all the staff, faculty, and student leaders at Da Vinci Design and Da Vinci Communications, and especially to the Da Vinci leaders who led the WASC accreditation process, including DVD Principal Russell Stoll, DVC Principal Erin D’Souza, and Michelle Rainey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction,” Dr. Wunder continued.

Visiting team members identified the following strengths about Da Vinci Design, including:

  • Da Vinci Design has a welcoming environment that gives access to opportunity through real world experiences, industry collaborations, and a focus on collaboration and presentation skills.
  • Project-Based Learning engages students and connects them to real-world ideas and the outside community.
  • DVD students feel prepared for adulthood.
  • Da Vinci Design is fostering a culture of inclusivity, providing robust counseling support, implementing positive behavioral interventions and supports and restorative practices, and high behavioral and academic expectations for all students.
  • All staff genuinely care about students and students feel the support.
  • Presentations of Learning and other performance-based assessments allow for students to be self-reflecting learners and provide a real world element of professionalism.
  • Staff are passionate about the ability to be creative and innovative in their instruction.

Visiting team members identified the following strengths about Da Vinci Communications, including:

  • DVC provides a safe, inclusive environment that offers an opportunity for students to engage in a diverse, rigorous curriculum designed to help them succeed in life beyond high school.
  • DVC’s culture prioritizes student well-being, academic success, collaboration, and respect to create a positive learning experience for all and make it a happy place.
  • DVC has positive, supportive student-to-student and student-to-teacher interactions that support student success.
  • The staff at DVC is diverse, welcoming and collaborative.
  • DVC does an outstanding job communicating to its families.
  • Students feel that DVC is a safe environment where teachers really care about their success.
  • Project-Based Learning creates meaningful, real world-learning experiences that engage students and prepare them for post-secondary success.

We are so proud of our school communities!

Posted in News

Staff Appreciation Week

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Dear DVD Families,

Teacher Appreciation Week is right around the corner — May 5th–May 9th, 2025 — and we’re excited to celebrate our incredible staff!


 We’d love your help in making the week extra special by providing some treats or words of appreciation  for our staff to enjoy.

If you’re interested and willing, please use the links below to support Staff Appreciation Week.

  • If you are willing to write notes of appreciation Your kind words mean so much to our team!
  • If you’d like to bring a treat, please sign up below to drop off goodies on select mornings during the week of May 6–10.


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.

With appreciation,


 The DVD Admin Team

Posted in 09 Grade, 10 Grade, 11 Grade, 12 Grade, Events, Grade 12, Student Life

Week 32 Preview: Testing Week at DVD

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Greetings Designers and Design Families,

Next week is testing week at DVD. Students in Grades 9 and 10 will be participating in MAP growth testing on Monday and Tuesday. Students in Grades 11 will take CAASPP state tests in Reading and Math. Attendance is very important during this week so please make sure your student arrives to school on-time on these days. Please make sure your student(s) get a good night of sleep and eat a good breakfast before test day to make sure they are ready to test. For questions about testing week, please reach out to Asst. Principal Kirk Takeyama: ktakeyama@davincischools.org.

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 32 at DVD:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Mon, Apr. 28th – Thurs, May 1st: Testing Week
    • 11th: CAASPP ELA and Math Testing
    • 9th/10th: MAP Testing
  • Fri, May 2nd: Staff Professional Development Day (PD) – No Classes
  • Fri, May 2nd: Prom
  • Fri, May 9th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
Posted in Weekly Updates

Junior College & Career Planning Meeting

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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

Posted in Grade 12

Community Learning Day Tomorrow (April 21st)

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Hello Designers and Design Families,

Tomorrow (Monday April 21st) is the last Community Learning Day (CLD) of the year! Students should check their Da Vinci email for confirmation of what CLD workshop they will be attending and what classroom / learning space to report to for attendance. All CLD sessions happen at the 201 N. Douglas St. campus and begin at 8:30am. All students, whether they attend an in-person session OR if they work off-campus tomorrow, will be responsible for completing this survey.

We will return for our regular class schedule starting Tuesday, April 22nd.

Hope you all have had a wonderful Spring Break and see you tomorrow!

Posted in Real World Learning, Student Life

Week 31 Preview

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Greetings Designers and Design Families,

We hope you all have had a safe, restful and fun Spring Break! We will return for our last Community Learning Day (CLD) on Monday, April 21st. Classes resume on Tuesday, April 22nd.

On Thursday, 4/10, we had our annual Spring Exhibition! Please check out some of the photos below to see the hard work of our students and staff.

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 31 at Da Vinci Design:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Mon, Apr. 21st: Community Learning Day (CLD) – No Classes
  • Tues, Apr. 22nd: Classes Resume – Return from Spring Break
  • Tues, Apr. 22nd: 11th Grade College Field Tips
  • Fri, Apr. 25th: Senior Beach Day Field Trip
  • Mon, Apr. 28th – Thurs, May 1st: Testing Week
    • 11th: CAASPP ELA and Math Testing
    • 9th/10th: MAP Testing
  • Fri, May 2nd: Staff Professional Development Day (PD) – No Classes
  • Fri, May 2nd: Prom
  • Fri, May 9th: Progress Reports Mailed Home

Campus Highlight: DVD Spring Exhibition, April 10th, 2025

 

Posted in Weekly Updates

Happy Spring Break, Designers!

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Greetings Designers and Design Families,

Thank you to all who attended Exhibition Night last night! Congratulations to our hardworking students and amazing staff on displaying such meaningful and incredible work. Stay tuned for photos coming with next week’s update!

On behalf of all of the Design staff: we wish you all a safe, restful and fun Spring Break! Our campus is closed next week (4/14-4/18) for Spring Break.

We will return for our last Community Learning Day (CLD) on Monday, April 21st. Classes resume on Tuesday, April 22nd.

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 31 at Da Vinci Design:

The DVD admin team, DVD front office team and central office team will be available via email on from 8am-4pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (4/14-4/16). You can also call Da Vinci Schools at 310-725-5800 to leave a voicemail outside of business hours and someone will get back to you. All administrative staff will be out of office Thursday and Friday (4/17 & 4/18).

  • For records requests (including work permits): reach out to Office Manager Maria Beltran at mbeltran@davincischools.org
  • For attendance and student information: reach out to Admin. Support Manager Leslie Alonso at lalonso@davincischools.org
  • For all other questions or concerns, reach out to Principal Russell Stoll at rstoll@davincischools.org

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Mon, Apr. 14th – Friday, Apr. 18th: NO SCHOOL – Spring Break
  • Mon, Apr. 21st: Community Learning Day (CLD) – No Classes
  • Tues, Apr. 22nd: Classes Resume – Return from Spring Break
Posted in Weekly Updates

You’re Invited: Career Spring Fling at Belkin International in partnership with Da Vinci Schools (April 24)

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Join us for an engaging and hands-on learning experience, designed in partnership with Belkin International. The event will feature industry-led workshops and panels for you to gain valuable insights and learn about diverse career opportunities. Open to all 9th-12th grade students from all Da Vinci Schools.

  • Date: Thursday, April 24
  • Time: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
  • Location: Belkin International (555 Aviation Blvd., El Segundo)  

Transportation Will Be Provided From Da Vinci 201 N. Douglas

RSVP here by Tuesday, April 22nd.

What to Expect

Confidence & Leadership Panel
Hear from leaders at Aerospace Corporation, Google, and Savage x Fenty on building confidence, self-advocacy, and authentic leadership.

Breakout Sessions – Choose 2:

  • Brand Marketing
  • Consumer Insights
  • HR/LinkedIn
  • Office Tour
  • PR
  • Product Design

Influencer Panel
Join influencers and industry pros for a behind-the-scenes look at influencer marketing, from brand partnerships to turning content into a career.

Networking + Lunch
Connect with reps from Snap, Spotify, Google, AltaSea, Cotton On, and more!

Want a sneak peek? Check out last year’s Career Spring Fling highlights at Belkin.

We hope to see you there!

Posted in 09 Grade, 10 Grade, 11 Grade, 12 Grade, Events
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