Welcome! My name is Crissel Rodriguez, and I’m proud to serve as the Director of Real World Learning at Da Vinci Schools. I’m excited to share a brief update on how your child can stay informed about upcoming career-connected learning opportunities.
Your student has been invited to join a Real World Learning course on Canvas. Please note: this is not an academic course and does not include assignments. Instead, it serves as a communication hub where we share timely announcements about volunteer opportunities, internships, career events, job shadows, and more.
To ensure they don’t miss out, we encourage your child to accept the Canvas course invitation and enable notifications.
In addition, our team maintains a live Google document featuring a running list of real-world learning opportunities, organized by career sector. We regularly update this document as new experiences become available. You can view the document, by clicking here: bit.ly/44KDlPL
If you or someone you know is interested in partnering with us—whether by speaking in a classroom, hosting a company tour, or offering a student job shadow or internship experience—we’d love to connect. Please feel free to reach out to me directly at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
We’re honored to support your student on their journey of career exploration and look forward to a great year ahead!
Warm regards,
Crissel Rodriguez
Director of Real World Learning
What an incredible first week back at Da Vinci Design! The energy on campus has been nothing short of inspiring—hallways filled with smiles, laughter, and the joy of reconnecting with friends after the summer.
From the very first day, our students have shown that they are serious about starting the year off right. We’ve been so impressed by the way they’ve embraced our cell phone policy, staying present in class, engaged in lessons, and focused on building strong connections with their peers and teachers. The level of attention and care students are bringing into their classrooms sets a powerful tone for the months ahead.
Families we thank you for the support with our Cell Phone Policy! Here is a brief version of what is happening at Design with the Cell Phone Policy:
Off and Away Helps Me Focus Today!
Personal devices (cell phones, headphones/earbuds, ipads, etc.) should be powered off or placed in “Do Not Disturb” mode, and put in teacher designated area in classroom during instructional time. No phones allowed at all times in bathrooms.
If a student uses a device out of accordance to DVD policy, staff will:
Confiscate the device until the end of class.
Confiscate the device and turn it over to the office/administration.
Contact parent/guardian for notification (and/or pickup of device).
Prohibit the possession of personal (and/or school) devices on campus.
Whether it’s through Advisory activities, hands-on projects, or simply the excitement of seeing their friends and teachers again, the sense of community has been evident all week long. The positive energy on campus is a reminder of what makes Da Vinci Design so special—our students’ commitment to learning, collaboration, and supporting one another.
We are so proud of this amazing start and look forward to keeping the momentum going as we dive deeper into the year!
Here is what is coming up the Week of August 25th:
Get those smiles ready—Picture Day is happening next week on Monday, August 25th and Tuesday, August 26th during students’ English classes.
Picture Day is more than just a tradition; it’s a chance to capture memories, showcase those back-to-school fits, and officially mark the start of our 2025–26 school year at Da Vinci Design. These photos will be used for student IDs and the School Yearbook.
Next week, students have the opportunity to select their Seminar classes. Seminars take place at the end of the school day and give students the chance to explore areas of interest—whether that’s a sports/fitness seminar, a creative skill-building class like crochet or music appreciation, or an academic support seminar designed for extra help and tutoring. Seminar Enrollment will officially begin on Wednesday August 27th for Seniors and Juniors and continue Thursday August 28th for Sophomores and Freshmen.
Here is the Bell Schedule for next week:
Key Dates and Upcoming Events:
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
Wed, Sept. 3rd: Coffee w/ Admin @8am and @5pm via Zoom
Wed, Sept. 3rd and Thurs Sept. 4th: MAPS Testing
Wed, Sept. 10th: 9th graders leave for Overnighter @ 8:40am
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:
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
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.
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:
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 is TODAY! Please read this letter to Senior familiesfor important updates and reminders about receiving graduation cap/gown, details for the graduation ceremony, and other end-of-year updates.
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
