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Da Vinci Science
Da Vinci Schools, nominated by Center on Reinventing Public Education, Moonshot EdVentures and Next Generation Learning Challenges, is a high school in El Segundo, California that describes itself as a public charter school serving learners from a primarily urban/suburban area.
Location El Segundo, California
Governance Public charter school
Grades High
Students 542
Locale Suburban
Executive Director Steve Wallis
Demographics
Percentage of students*
17%
English Learners
47%
Free/Reduced Lunch
17%
Students with Disabilities
African American or Black —
American Indian/Alaska Native —
Asian —
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —
Hispanic or Latino —
White —
2+ Races —
Why Da Vinci Science was nominated
Our fellows visited Da Vinci schools in person last year and virtually this year, and we're consistently impressed and inspired by the project based learning that is happening. We've interviewed and visited with students and staff via panels, and it is clear that people love to work there, want to work there long term, and that students have agency and choice in their education. Students engage in learning through exhibitions and projects that are rigorous and aligned to real world issues and problems., Students enrolled at the Da Vinci high school have the opportunity to pursue various tracks in either the communications, design, or science tracks and often learn through project-based learning. Teachers at this school have also started implementing "Project Leo," an in-house project-based learning platform that leverages AI to suggest project ideas for students., 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
Our learning environment is designed to create a personalized learning experience in which every student is seen, known, and valued, and that their interests and career goals are incorporated into their projects so that they are engaged and feel the relevance of the work they do.
Core Practices
| Core Practices | Length of Use |
|---|---|
|
Community And Business Partnerships |
5+ years
|
|
Competency/mastery-based Education |
5+ years
|
|
Grading Policies Focus On Mastery |
5+ years
|
|
Multiple Opportunities To Demonstrate Mastery |
5+ years
|
|
Project-based Learning |
5+ years
|
All Practices
Advancement On Mastery
Student Advisories
Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning
Assessments For Career Readiness
Assessments For Deeper Learning
Assessments For Social-emotional Skills
Blended Learning
Career Prep And Work-based Learning
Community-based Organizations As Co-leaders
Industry-based Partners As Co-leaders
Students As Co-leaders
Teachers As Co-leaders
Co-leadership
Competency Framework
Culturally Responsive Practices
Disaggregated Data On Student Participation
Early College High School
Extended Learning Opportunities
All Courses Designed For Inclusion
Interdisciplinary
Interoperable Data From Multiple Technologies
Mental Health Services
Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics
No Tracked Classes
Peer To Peer Support
Performance Based Assessment
Place-based Learning
Restorative Practices
SEL Integration School-wide
Student-led Conferences
Student-led Goal Setting
Students Develop Projects
Trauma-informed Practices
Tutoring
Universal Design For Learning
key reasons for innovating
Desire to be on the cutting edge and demonstrate what’s possible
Date Updated: 4/1/2024
*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.