Da Vinci Connect TK-8

Demographics

Percentage of students*

Why Da Vinci Connect TK-8 was nominated

The school's merging technology with strong relationship building to support., engage and teach students through a hybrid (virtual and in-person) environment. Through their partnerships with industiry leaders and colleges, students are able to leverage their time to both earn early college credit and work experience b4 graduating high school. The CMO works closely with their authorizing district to share learning. Their model was ahead of the game when it came for being ready for an event like covid., Da Vinci Connect High School is a public school that combines in-person and remote learning. Students can get a jump start on college by earning a two- or four-year college degree while in high school, for free!, DaVinci Schools take a completely student-centered approach across all of their models, both on-campus and hybrid. Learning is purposeful, experiential, rigorous, and engaging. They have developed a strong community within each school, supported by deep relationships among students and teachers alike. They have a tremendous learning mentality -- they are ceaselessly seeking to improve, when already they provide a learning and developmental experience to kids that should be a model for the entire nation.

Student experience design

Da Vinci Connect's TK-8 program, a 2023 California Distinguished School, employs a hybrid model, featuring two days of project-based learning at school (M/T or Th/F) and three days of family-facilitated off-site learning. Teachers use project-based, constructivist, and culturally responsive curriculum and emphasize social-emotional learning on campus. At-home learning focuses on English Language Arts, math, and extracurricular activities, with additional on-campus support available for families in need. Student Learner Outcomes include the Essential Knowledge and Skills (EKSs) expected for each grade level as well as Connect TK-8’s “Habits of Heart and Mind,” which are social emotional learning and 21st Century learning skills and include curiosity, reflection, empathy, flexibility, equity, agency and collaboration. The school hosts a variety of events intended to engage and support families including multiple Parent Educator Conferences per year and a series of community building events organized by the Family Action Network and TK-8 Activities Coordinator each year. These include a Welcome Back Party, Fall Festival, Speaker's Jam, Multicultural Fair, Talent Showcase and STEAM Carnival.

Core Practices

Core Practices	Length of Use
Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning	Less than a year
Family And Community Support Services	5+ years
All Courses Designed For Inclusion	3-4 years
Multi-age Classrooms	5+ years
SEL Integration School-wide	5+ years

All Practices

Advancement On Mastery

Student Advisories

Anti-racist Practices

Co-leadership

Community And Workforce Partnerships

Competency/mastery-based Education

Culturally Responsive Practices

Disaggregated Data On Student Participation

Mental Health Services

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

No Tracked Classes

Project-based Learning

Reallocation Of Resources For Students Most In Need

Restorative Practices

SEL Curriculum

Student-led Conferences

Student-led Goal Setting

Students Develop Projects

Trauma-informed Practices

Universal Design For Learning

Career Prep

key reasons for innovating