Designers! You are invited to the South Bay/Los Angeles College Fair 2025 hosted by RBUSD! Use the QR or CLICK HERE to register!
Fall 2025 Dual Enrollment Opportunities (10th-12th Grade) – UPDATE – BUS 101 is no longer offered
Hello Designers!
*UPDATE – BUS 101 IS NO LONGER OFFERED!
Da Vinci Schools is partnering with El Camino College to offer three dual enrollment courses in the Fall 2025 term. All three courses are online and asynchronous.
El Camino’s fall term classes begin on August 25, 2025. Students who have never completed the El Camino College application should complete and submit it prior to August 22.
Da Vinci will be holding application “office hours” for students needing assistance with completing their application in the RWL Center computer lab (1st floor) on Tuesday 8/19 from 4:00pm-5:00pm. Students should know their SSN# (if they have one) and whether or not their family is considered a military family when they apply.
To be eligible to take a dual enrollment class, students need to be in grades 10-12 and be in good academic standing. Space is limited. Spaces will fill up on a first come first serve basis.
*All application materials must be submitted by August 22nd @ 4:00pm.
If you are interested in signing up for dual enrollment options, please email Miss Pam for more information at pbaker@davincischools.org
Please click the photo below for course information:
Welcome Back, Designers! First Day Back is Monday August 18th!
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.
Happy Summer from DVD!
Greetings Designers and Design Families!
From all of the faculty and staff at Da Vinci Design, we wish you a wonderful summer break! Monday, August 18th is the first day of school for students in the 2025-26 school year. We will see you in August!
Class of 2025 Graduation Photos
Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2025! It was an honor and pleasure watching you walk the stage yesterday. Graduation photos from yesterday have been uploaded for families here – you may access and download them for FREE thanks to our incredible photographer Stacee:
New Families Welcome Webinar Today (June 18th)!
Hello incoming DVD families! Please attend the New Families Welcome webinar via Zoom at 6pm using this link:
This webinar will be recorded and made available after on the blog here. The webinar will cover “what to expect” as a DVD student, signature programs and practices, student life, and more! In-person orientation dates for new families will be available in August before the first day of school. Stay tuned for more info to come!
Summer Break Front Office announcements:
- The Da Vinci Schools reception desk will be open for summer hours during the break. Please call us at 310-725-5800 between 8am-12pm to speak to someone on campus.
- For attendance, student records requests, and work permits: reach out to Office Manager Maria Beltran at mbeltran@davincischools.org
- For all other questions or concerns, reach out to Asst. Principal Korina Pailin at kbarefield@davincischools.org
- All Da Vinci Schools offices will be closed June 30th – July 4th. If you need to reach us, please reach out via email.
- Report cards have been mailed to arrive the week of June 16th. If you have questions about final grades, please reach out to teachers directly via email. Grade appeals must be initiated via email within 30 days of the end of the semester. For more information about final grades, see the DVD Student and Family Handbook
Please stay tuned over the summer! We will be making announcements for new families AND returning families here on the blog. See you in August!
Graduation Ceremony Livestream Link and Reminders
Greetings Graduating Seniors and Senior Families,
Graduation is TODAY! Please read this letter to Senior families for important updates and reminders about receiving graduation cap/gown, details for the graduation ceremony, and other end-of-year updates.
Watch live: Da Vinci Schools Ceremonies Live Stream
ALL graduates are expected to meet at 4pm near the soccer field at 201 N. Douglas. Families and guests may also arrive at 4pm to line up and being taking seats.
Congratulations Seniors! We are so excited to celebrate with you!
—DVD Administration
Week 38 Preview
Greetings Designers and Design Families,
Happy Friday! Thanks for a great week of POLs. It has been great fun to learn so much this week from students and their presentations: from debates in English 10 and dissections in Biology, to insightful presentations about historical events and mathematical functions. Keep up the great work, Designers!
This week, a group of Da Vinci Design Seniors made the news in the Daily Breeze! A group of DVD 12th graders designed and published an activity book in collaboration with the Roundhouse Aquarium on the Manhattan Beach Pier, and were recognized for their impact on the local community. Click here to read the article “Da Vinci high schoolers create kids activity book for Roundhouse Aquarium – Daily Breeze“.
Tomorrow, students from our Fine Arts pathway and Honors Fundamentals of Design 2 will be presenting their work at a special art show at Indivisible Arts. Please join us on Saturday, June 7th from 4pm to 7pm to celebrate our student artists! More info in the flyer below.
Here is the Bell Schedule for Weeks 38 at Da Vinci Design:
End of Semester Announcements:
- PowerSchool and Canvas access for students/parents has been blocked starting 6/3 to finalize semester grades. The last day for students to check grades before seeing a final grade on report cards was on Monday, June 2nd.
- Report cards are mailed home on Friday, June 13th.
- POLs give students the opportunity to develop their speaking and presentation skills and are an opportunity for students to reflect publicly on their learning. Because these are formal presentations, students are expected to wear professional attire. Any student with questions or needs regarding professional attire should speak to their counselor ASAP.
- A letter home regarding POL expectations and reminders will be sent to families within the next few days. Click here for the “POL Letter to DVD Families” for important information regarding POLs.
POL Treats for Teachers: Sign Up Here
Thank you so much to all of you who have celebrated our educators this week! If you would like to donate snacks like breakfast treats and coffee to our teachers, please use the sign-up below to tell us what you will be dropping off.
10th Grade Design Pathways Selection Resources
Leading up to POLs, 10th grade students have been receiving information about the CTE Pathway Selection process. During POLs, Sophomores will complete a survey selecting their preferences for whether they want to be in the Architecture, Graphic Design, Entrepreneurship, or Fine Arts pathway. This pathway course selection will dictate their schedule for 11th and 12th grade year.
Please look at the resource posted here so that you can help discuss this important decision as a family: Class of 2027 Pathways Selection Slides For Families
The final decision will be made in their Sophomore design class as part of their POLs. ALL Sophomores must complete the Pathways Selection Survey in order to have their preference considered for their 11th grade courses.
For questions, please reach out to your counselor.
Upcoming Events and Key Dates:
- Mon, 6/3 – Tues, 6/10: Presentations of Learning (POLs) – MINIMUM DAYS
- Wed, June 11th: Last Day of Semester 2 – MINIMUM DAY
- Thurs, June 12th: DVD Graduation Ceremony at 5pm
School Leadership Update at Da Vinci Design
We are excited to share several important school leadership updates, effective July 1, 2025.
Samantha Navarro has been selected as Principal of Da Vinci Design, succeeding Russell Stoll, who will be stepping down.
Samantha brings 25 years of experience in public education as a teacher, coach, and school leader with a strong commitment to student-centered learning and equity-driven leadership. Her career has included teaching social studies, coaching high school tennis, and most recently, serving as Principal of New Millennium Secondary School for the past decade. Under her leadership, New Millennium became a close-knit community known for its academic rigor, meaningful relationships, and commitment to student growth.
Samantha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science with an Emphasis in Secondary Education and a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction from Biola University, as well as a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Arizona. She brings to Da Vinci Design a passion for authentic learning, inclusive school culture, and the empowerment of both students and staff.
Joining Samantha is Korina Barefield, stepping into the role of Assistant Principal. Korina, formerly the Dean of Student Success and Culture, is widely recognized for her unwavering commitment to student support, her expertise in MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports), and her ability to foster a vibrant, inclusive school culture. We are thrilled to welcome her into this new leadership role.
Kirk Takeyama will bring a wealth of expertise in operational excellence to his new role as Assistant Principal at Da Vinci Communications.
Please join us in congratulating Samantha, Korina and Kirk on their new roles. We look forward to the incredible work ahead under their leadership.
We also extend our deepest gratitude to Principal Russell Stoll for his outstanding leadership at Da Vinci Design. Most recently, he led the successful WASC re-accreditation process, with Da Vinci Design earning the highest level—a full six-year accreditation. We wish Russell all the best in his next chapter.
Week 37 Preview: POLs Begin!
Greetings Designers and Design Families,
Happy Friday! We are in the final stretch of the school year, and POLs are around the corner.
DVD will follow minimum day schedules Tues, June 3rd – Tues, June 10th. School begins at 8:40am and school ends at 1:45pm every day (INCLUDING FRIDAY JUNE 6th). It is important for students to come to school every day during POLs!
A letter home regarding POL expectations and reminders will be sent to families within the next few days. Click here for the “POL Letter to DVD Families” for important information regarding POLs.
POL Treats for Teachers: Sign Up Here
- While our students are preparing and presenting the learning they’ve achieved over the semester, our teachers are hard at work viewing and scoring those presentations. For teachers, this also means long days being a part of panels and giving meaningful feedback to students.
- One way that we show appreciation for our teachers during these long days is keeping them fed and caffeinated. And we would love your help!
- If you would like to donate snacks like breakfast treats and coffee to our teachers, please use the sign-up below to tell us what you will be dropping off.
- *Click here to sign up to bring a treat for teachers* during POL week! Thanks!
Here is the Bell Schedule for Weeks 37 & 38 at Da Vinci Design:
End of Semester Announcements:
- PowerSchool and Canvas access for students/parents will be blocked starting 6/3 to finalize semester grades. The last day for students to check grades before seeing a final grade on report cards will be Monday, June 2nd.
- Report cards are mailed home on Friday, June 13th.
- POLs give students the opportunity to develop their speaking and presentation skills and are an opportunity for students to reflect publicly on their learning. Because these are formal presentations, students are expected to wear professional attire. Any student with questions or needs regarding professional attire should speak to their counselor ASAP.
10th Grade Design Pathways Selection Resources
Leading up to POLs, 10th grade students have been receiving information about the CTE Pathway Selection process. During POLs, Sophomores will complete a survey selecting their preferences for whether they want to be in the Architecture, Graphic Design, Entrepreneurship, or Fine Arts pathway. This pathway course selection will dictate their schedule for 11th and 12th grade year.
Please look at the resource posted here so that you can help discuss this important decision as a family: Class of 2027 Pathways Selection Slides For Families
The final decision will be made in their Sophomore design class as part of their POLs. ALL Sophomores must complete the Pathways Selection Survey in order to have their preference considered for their 11th grade courses.
For questions, please reach out to your counselor.
Upcoming Events and Key Dates:
- Mon, 6/3 – Tues, 6/10: Presentations of Learning (POLs) – MINIMUM DAYS
- Wed, June 11th: Last Day of Semester 2 – MINIMUM DAY
- Thurs, June 12th: DVD Graduation Ceremony at 5pm
Week 36 Preview
Greeting Designers and Design Families,
This week, we celebrated our Seniors in their final Exhibition: Senior Showcase! Congratulations to our Seniors and the Senior Team on a successful Senior Showcase last this week. We are so proud of their hard work and some of the positive impact our student had on the community. We also ended our week with a special Community Dialogue hosted by our QSU in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month coming up in June. The club shared fun student lip-sync performances and a game, along with special messages from student leaders and staff.
In two weeks, students from our Fine Arts pathway and Honors Fundamentals of Design 2 will be presenting their work at a special art show at Indivisible Arts. Please join us on Saturday, June 7th from 4pm to 7pm to celebrate our student artists! More info in the flyer below.
The bell schedule for Week 36 at DVD is here:
Upcoming Events and Key Dates:
- Mon, May 26th: NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day Holiday
- Mon, 6/3 – Tues, 6/10: Presentations of Learning (POLs) – MINIMUM DAYS
- Wed, June 11th: Last Day of Semester 2 – MINIMUM DAY
- Thurs, June 12th: DVD Graduation Ceremony at 5pm
Week 35 Highlight: 6/7 Art Show and QSU Pride Month CD
Week 35 Preview: Senior Showcase on Wednesday, May 21st
Greeting Designers and Design Families,
As we near the end of the school year, that means it is time to celebrate our graduating Class of 2025! This week, we celebrated students at Senior Awards Night for their academic and service achievements. Next week, we are celebrating our Class of 2025 for their Senior Project accomplishments at the annual Senior Showcase! Senior Showcase is a special off-campus Exhibition where Seniors display the hard work they have been doing for the last several weeks to use their design skills to have a positive impact on the community. Please join us for Senior Showcase on Wednesday, May 21st from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at WWOO Concrete Outdoor Kitchen. This event is open to the public and all are welcome!
NOTE: Please excuse a typo on the letter sent home to families with progress reports stating that Senior Showcase is a morning event; the correct time is 5:30pm-7:30pm.
The Bell Schedule for Week 35 is here:
Upcoming Events and Key Dates:
- Mon, May 19th: Last week of Seminar Classes (P7 & P8)
- Tues, May 20th: Parent Advisory Committee #7
- 5pm via Zoom
- Agenda: 1) Welcome, Introductions and Public Comment, 2) LCAP Annual Feedback Review, 3) 25-26 PAC Preview
- Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
- Wed, May 21st: Senior Showcase @ WWOO Concrete Outdoor Kitchen
- Mon, May 26th: NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day Holiday
- Mon, 6/3 – Tues, 6/10: Presentations of Learning (POLs) – MINIMUM DAYS
- Wed, June 11th: Last Day of Semester 2 – MINIMUM DAY
- Thurs, June 12th: DVD Graduation Ceremony at 5pm
Week 34 Highlight: Senior Awards Night
