CWC Annual Report 2024

ISSUE | 2023-24

Meet Our Community Our Educators Our Principals Our Students

Celebrate Community Events Core Value Awards New Facilities Community Giving

Learn Curriculum Spotlights Academic Highlights Student Programs Diverse by Design

| Table of Contents

INSIDE Our Board of Directors Academic Highlights Curriculum for Changemakers Building Belonging Diverse by Design Our Impact Facility Updates Staff Spotlight Core Value Awards Student Programs CWC LA Graduates

“We welcome the unknown, embracing the unexpected and new.

We adapt to meet the ever-changing times. We find new ways.”

- CWC Core Value

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

A message from our Executive Director

As I embark on my second year as Executive Director of Citizens of the World Los Angeles, I am reflecting on all we’ve accomplished together.

This past year has been a remarkable journey - one of discovery, growth, and inspiration. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering commitment of our educators, staff, and partners like you, who champion our mission to provide an impactful learning experience to all students.

We made incredible progress, achieving a high rate of retention for our teaching staff and strengthening student culture with 94% average attendance to implementing advisory and affinity groups that elevate the voices of all of our stakeholders. The pages of this Annual Report are filled with these incredible accomplishments and the impact they have had on our community and beyond.

My first year was filled with meaningful opportunities to connect, learn, and grow alongside you all. From time spent in classrooms observing collaboration and inquirybased learning to gathering invaluable feedback from our teams during staff meetings and professional development gatherings, every moment deepened my appreciation of what makes CWC LA so special. At our first regional staff meetings of this school year, we viewed a video about the story of Austin’s Butterfly. Austin, a first grader, transformed a simple sketch of a butterfly into a stunning final drawing with the support of his teacher and classmates. Through multiple drafts, thoughtful feedback, and his own perseverance, Austin achieved something extraordinary—a powerful reminder that meaningful change takes time, collaboration, and persistence. This story resonates deeply with our vision for the year. At CWC LA, we know that progress and improvement are not always linear. It requires the collective effort of our community working together, refining our approaches, and building on feedback in an intentional, incremental, and sequential way. We also anticipate the process will come with unforeseeable setbacks, which will add to the learning and growing experience and eventually lead us to achieve something truly extraordinary.

I am filled with excitement to continue this partnership. Together, we will innovate, gather feedback, share ideas, and create “multiple drafts” as we strive to reach new heights. I am confident that the work we do together will lead to results more spectacular than we could have ever imagined. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. With your continued support, we are poised to make an even greater impact on the lives of our students and the future of our communities.

With gratitude, Melissa Kaplan Executive Director Citizens of the World Los Angeles

Follow our butterfly through these pages to celebrate our transformative year.

| Our Board of Directors

BOARD MEMBERS We are thrilled to recognize and celebrate the incredible dedication of the CWC Los Angeles Board of Directors in our Annual Report.

First, we extend our deepest gratitude to Mikelle Willis for her extraordinary service as Board Chair, especially during this past year as she supported the onboarding of our new Executive Director. Her unwavering commitment to educational equity, moral clarity, and ability to lead with grace and dignity through challenges have set a new standard for leadership at CWC LA. We are equally excited to welcome our new Board Co-Chairs, Sarah Angel and Jessica Smith, who step into their roles at a pivotal time for our organization.

Their expertise in advocacy, communications, talent management, and change management will be invaluable in guiding us toward achieving our strategic goals.

To our returning Board members, many of whom are embracing new responsibilities, we deeply appreciate your passion, patience, and tireless commitment to our schools and students. Serving on a Board encompasses some of the most challenging aspects of leadership, and your volunteerism is a testament to your devotion to our mission. Together, your collective leadership inspires us, holds us accountable, and moves us ever closer to our goals. We are profoundly grateful for all that you do.

Sarah Angel

Jessica Smith

Co-Chair

Co-Chair

Founder, JOAN Collaborative

Vice President, Employee Relations & Engagement, Alliance-College Ready Public Schools

Nicole Boone

Dana Gomez-Gayne

VP of Capital Markets,

Vice President, Associate General Counsel,

Community Lending

Cityview

Ann Le

Mikelle Willis

Consultant

Human Capital Specialist, Consultant

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

| Academic Highlights

ACADEMIC PROGRESS CWC LA attracts families not only for the diversity and social-emotional learning our students gain but also for the academic rigor of our curriculum. Our recent California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) scores reflect the hard work and dedication of our educators in providing an enriching learning experience.

California Assesment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)

Overall percentage of students in grades 3-8 achieving levels 3 and 4 in Mathematics

Overall percentage of students in grades 3-8 achieving levels 3 and 4 in English Language Arts

We are proud of the overall percentage of students achieving levels 3 and 4 on English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for each CWC LA school and the region when compared to the relative performance of the local district, LAUSD, and the State of California.

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

OUR RESULTS

Serving our diverse student population We are particularly proud of our comparison data for students in historically marginalized subgroups. As an intentionally diverse school, these results confirm that we are serving our diverse student body. Our CAASPP results confirm that our schools are maintaining yearly growth and that historically marginalized groups at CWC LA are achieving on par with, or better than, their peers.

Black/African American

Hispanic/Latino

Economically Disadvantaged

English Learners

Students with Disabilities

OUR COMMITMENT While we celebrate the achievements of our CAASPP results, we know there is more work to further realize higher academic outcomes for all students and all components of the CWC LA mission. CWC LA is committed to bringing academic performance closer to pre-pandemic levels of achievement of which we know our schools and students are capable.

Here is an overview of the actions we are taking to drive these academic improvements forward:

• •

•

Deep coaching for all school leaders on a new teacher coaching framework to further support teaching excellence.

Enhanced data practices to more regularly examine evidence of student learning against learning standards and outcomes we have set for ourselves.

Continue to strengthen foundational instruction in Phonics and Math through content-building and skill development for our teachers.

• •

More intensive support for new teachers and teachers new to CWC LA, ensuring that every educator is set up for success.

Piloting a new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum, which includes a full middle school pilot in school year 2024-25 along with a concurrently running elementary pilot.

In the school year 2025-26, all CWC students will experience our new ELA curriculum and accompanying instructional shifts.

| Curriculum for Changemakers

FUTURE CHANGEMAKERS

Climate Change Curriculum Although many climate lessons were available online CWC Silver Lake teacher, Brittany Jefferson, wanted to build a curriculum that could be integrated into all subjects and easily incorporated into CWC’s unique hands-on and collaborative learning model. She teamed up with two CWC fifthgrade teachers to pilot a comprehensive climate curriculum with interactive lessons for students.

Students engaged in climate issues during all standards-based subjects. For a language arts lesson on persuasion, she gave her class the details of the then-pending Willow oil drilling

project in Alaska. Using that information, students wrote persuasive letters to President Biden either supporting or opposing the project. These letters were mailed to the White House.

In math class, students learned how to calculate area. This was an opportunity to measure the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Ocean, which led to important discussions on reducing its size and what actions could be taken to stop its growth.

FOLLOW MS. JEFFERSON

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

Project based Science Curriculum wins Best Lesson Plan CWC East Valley Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Willis, won the @petsintheclassroom Lesson Plan Contest. Her science curriculum centered on the use of her class pet, leopard gecko “Buddy”.

Students learned about animal habitats and designed a home for Buddy based on their research.

Project-based learning is part of the unique CWC LA learning model. Through meaningful and engaging projects students can make abstract learning concepts concrete. This type of learning produces reflective learners that can easily connect what they learn to their own lives. This fun, hands on science lesson plan is project-based learning at its best!

| Curriculum for Changemakers

LGBTQIA+ Curriculum This past year, as part of an initiative to cultivate a more culturally responsive and affirming learning environment, CWC Silver Lake proudly piloted an LGBTQIA+ inclusive curriculum across TK-5. Designed and developed by 5th grade teacher, Ms. Julia, in partnership with Lead Teachers and Specialists, the curriculum weaved Queer history, identity, and literature into the fabric of our teaching DNA, ensuring that every student, particularly those who identify as LGBTQIA+, saw themselves reflected and celebrated in the classroom.

The curriculum enhanced academic content in the classroom through lesson plans and activities by centering and championing Queer voices that have impacted and contributed to the advancement of social justice and human rights for the LGBTQIA+ community.

By embedding these lessons into our core instruction, and providing engaging community-facing activities as part of a Pride Spirit Week, we began taking intentional steps to empower Queer youth with the representation they deserve, while deepening all students’ understanding of diverse identities.

Looking ahead, we hope to embed this work in more intersectional and intentional spaces that align with our broader commitment to equity and social justice, ensuring that every student, regardless of their identity, thrives in an environment of dignity and respect.

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

| Building Belonging

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

BELONGING Authentic family engagement is at the heart of what we do. When caregivers, students, neighbors, and staff come together, something truly magical happens.

Our community events are a beautiful reflection of our diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and interests. These moments remind us of the strength we have when we come together to build a true sense of belonging.

Here are a few examples from the many Community Events we held in 2023-24:

FESTIVALL - PRIDE EVENT NUESTRAS RAICES FESTIVAL WINTER CELEBRATION ASIAN AMERICAN NIGHT MARKET BLACK EXCELLENCE EVENTS SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING PARTY MOVIE NIGHTS

| Building Belonging

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

| Diverse by Design

BY DESIGN Engaged Spaces Collaboration In 2023, we embarked on a collaboration with Engaged Spaces, a capacitybuilding consultancy firm that supports school leaders and educational professionals in nurturing inclusive environments and mobilizing highperforming teams. They have facilitated coaching sessions with schoolsite DEIB councils, made up of staff, caregivers, and organizational leaders across the region, in developing and implementing equity-centered strategic plans prioritizing key DEIB goals and initiatives. We look forward to continuing this partnership in the upcoming school year and working with facilitators to put these plans into action.

Fostering Diverse Schools Grant Citizens of the World Los Angeles was awarded a Fostering Diverse Schools Grant (FDS) from the U.S. Department of Education, making us one of only two educational organizations in the country to be awarded this prestigious funding this year. CWC LA received $831,811 out of a total of $1.7 million awarded.

These funds will enable CWC LA to expand our equity-centered initiatives, including:

• • •

Expanding professional development for educators on culturally responsive and anti-bias practices to support students Supporting the implementation of curriculum enhancements that emphasize racial and social justice Strengthening community engagement efforts to foster equitable representation, advocacy and belonging within historically marginalized communities

• • •

Implementing equitable practices to reinforce strategic initiatives for building skill, will and capacity around DEIB literacy Building additional capacity for the Regional DEIB team to continue programming for staff, caregivers and students And so much more as we identify need

Bridges Collaborative National Convening: Fulfilling the Promise of Brown As part of our partnership with the Century Foundation, CWC LA participated in a two-day convening in Washington, D.C. where we commemorated the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision declaring that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”

Educators from around the country came together to celebrate the 70th anniversary of that milestone in education and grapple with how much more work we still have to do to make the Court’s decision a reality.

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

CASE STUDY

CWC LA Black Teacher Experience CWC has historically named the importance of diversity as a tenet of our identity as an organization. However, as we have experienced, the lines of difference and representation across our schools have not sustained our community in a way that promotes equitable belonging across all stakeholders. In line with CWC’s strategic priority to recruit, hire and retain BIPOC educators, with an emphasis on Black educators – we feel that it is important to underscore the significance in not only retaining Black educators, but sustaining them by addressing institutional inequities that have exacerbated marginalization, silenced their voices, and resulted in their departure from our organization.

To arrive at this juncture in developing inclusive and responsive practices to sustain Black educators, we first looked at the cause for Black educators leaving the organization. Through focus groups, surveys, classroom observations and empathy interviews, the data we collected has not only helped inform our strategic and systemic response for sustainability, but has shed light on their unique experiences across our school sites. Our hope is to continue this partnership with our Black educators to guide our organization into fostering an inclusive environment for all staff, and ensuring that future Black educators feel represented, championed, and valued at CWC LA.

| Diverse by Design

Why Diversity Matters

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

CWC LA schools are built on the belief that the diversity of our communities and of the world at large, is a great strength. Through targeted outreach and recruitment, our charter schools are intentionally designed to reflect their surrounding communities and the larger society in terms of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and all other forms of diversity, both seen and unseen.

By learning, interacting and growing in a diverse setting, our students are preparing to thrive in the pluralistic society they will soon join.

All our schools are united by our core values and are motivated by our commitment to DEIB. We are all accountable for our collective success.

WATCH VIDEO

| Our Impact

GIVING Grants from federal and state programs and

with donations ranging from $1 to $100,000. The

private funders allow us to offer some of the

largest portion came from our Annual Family

programs that make CWC so special - our new

Give Campaign (AFG). The remaining funds

Teacher Residency program, DEIB curriculum

were generated through various events such as

and programming, expansion on our current

Walk-A-Thons, auctions, celebrations, dine-out

campuses, and the construction of new facilities.

events, merchandise sales, corporate matching,

In addition to these important funds, we rely on

community days, bingo nights, and more!

each school community to unite in support of our fundraising efforts.

These funds are crucial for supporting programs including Art, Music, Mindfulness, Social

This year, we raised an impressive $1,378,646

Emotional Learning curriculum, Professional

through contributions from across the region,

Development, and DEIB training.

OTHER SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS

$170,903 WALK, MOVE & PLAY A-THONS

$408,983 ANNUAL FAMILY GIVE

$652,539 We are incredibly grateful for each and every contribution. Every dollar really does add up!

SUPPORT CWC LA

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

How does Community Giving support our organizational budget?

Below is a sample of how funds raised get spent in our budget across different areas.

Budgets vary between school sites each year.

40%

25%

A Holistic Education

Innovative Teaching

Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Spanish

Specialized staff professional development and teacher coaching

2%

18%

Family Workshops

Smaller teacher-to-student ratios

Caregiver education on mindfulness, DEIB, parenting and child-brain development

A portion of Student Support Associates’ (SSAs) salaries

15%

Inquiry units that reflect current affairs & student interests Books, curricula and materials to support project-based learning

| Our Impact

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

IMPACT

Community Survey Results

The feedback we collect in our Annual Family, Staff, and Student surveys is a valuable form of engagement. Our leaders use this feedback to make impactful decisions throughout the year, including creating our regional strategic goals.

92% of our

TEACHERS ARE EXCITED to return to

CWC LA next year

What stakeholders are saying:

85% of our

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS feel a sense

80% of our

of belonging while at school

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS are excited

about what they are learning

88% of our

FAMILIES FEEL their

school values their unique background & diversity

| Facility Updates

HOME! In 2023, we embarked on an exciting endeavor to build and improve our current facilities, providing safe, innovative, and inspiring spaces that encourage academic growth and collaboration.

In just one year, we have merged our CWC Mar Vista middle school and elementary school into a TK-8th grade program, expanded our CWC West Valley campus by adding more classrooms and interactive spaces, and welcomed our CWC Silver Lake middle schoolers to their new, state-of-the-art campus.

A NEW CWC SILVER LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS

A permanent home for our middle school program!

This highly anticipated campus opened its doors this Fall to welcome a new cohort of middle school students, as well as returning 6th graders from our CWC Silver Lake and Hollywood schools. Located just a few blocks away from our CWC Silver Lake Elementary School and only a 15 minute drive from our CWC Hollywood Elementary School campus, this exciting facilities project will provide these two communities with a continued TK – 8th grade education experience.

This campus was designed using feedback from our current middle school staff, teachers, and school leaders who ensured that every space was designed with our middle schoolers in mind. This state of the art facility includes a courtyard, outside lunch area and numerous places for students to gather and socialize. Multiple science labs, Arts, Theater, STEM, enrichment classrooms and a student store are some of the great features of this new campus!

Plus, our new campus includes a full-sized basketball court to host middle school basketball games - Go Wolves!

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF OUR NEW CAMPUS

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

CWC WEST VALLEY IS GROWING!

Full speed ahead towards a TK-8th grade program Our CWC West Valley community is eager to grow! We are steadily making progress towards the next phase of a multi-year renovation project that will have transformative benefits for our current students and generations of students to come.

This project began last year with the renovation of existing buildings to add more classrooms, and improve restrooms and gym. With the support and partnership of the building owner, we have secured a 30-year lease that offers us the security to move on to the next phase of our expansion. We broke ground this summer and began the construction of a new building to allow us to expand to become a robust TK - 8th grade program. We are excited to offer this incredibly exciting opportunity for our current and future CWC West Valley families..

Project highlights:

• Brand new approximately 9,800 sq ft building • Renovated outside field/turf and play structures • Gym renovation

• Office reconfiguration • Other updates and renovations

WATCH US GROW!

EXPANDING OUR CWC MAR VISTA CAMPUS

A permanent home for our CWC Mar Vista students!

This year, we celebrated a momentous occasion that had been years in the making. CWC Mar Vista now has a beautiful new campus where our TK—8th grade program can continue to thrive, uniting our community on a single block. Congratulations to our entire CWC Mar Vista community for reaching this milestone.

| Facility Updates

Research shows that TK-8th

Why TK-8th?

grade schools provide a safe and nurturing environment where students create strong bonds with their classmates, teachers, and school community. Students in TK-8th grade schools are more confident, more comfortable taking risks, and more willing to learn new things, which leads to notable academic growth.

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

Fewer Transitions

Lasting Relationships

Strong Community

Our TK-8th grade program helps families avoid multiple transitions, which supports students’ socialemotional growth. Students become familiar with the buildings, scheduling, and staff. This inspires confidence that supports academic growth and mental health.

Our students grow from new learners to empathetic middle schoolers who become mentors to younger students.

These middle schoolers build strong relationships with classmates, teachers, and staff who have known them for many years. Consistent connections are important during these formative years.

Our TK- 8th grade program supports families to build lasting friendships and feel invested in their school community. Our caregivers have the opportunity to learn together over 8+ years, sharing in special moments and overcoming challenges. This promotes a sense of community that leads to meaningful caregiver engagement.

| Staff Spotlights

SPOTLIGHTS INVESTING IN OUR STAFF

Teacher Residency and Marshall Program CWC LA launched a brand new teacher residency program for CWC LA faculty and staff. This program offered tuition reimbursement, stipends for mentor teachers, and created new pathways for career advancement for teachers wishing to grow within our organization.

We are partnered with Cal State and the Marshall Teacher Residency program to invest in our current staff with an emphasis on our BIPOC staff, by offering them additional education and training that will support all of our students for years to come.

Meet two of our Marshall Teacher Residents Savannah Elcock | CWC East Valley Before pursuing her Marshall Teacher Residency, Savannah worked for five years as a teaching associate across grade levels and in the after-school program at CWC Silver Lake. The Marshall Teaching program provided 1:1 coaching and data-based feedback, supporting Savannah in receiving her teaching credential. During her residency, she worked closely with CWC teaching mentors and was provided hands-on experience in a TK classroom. After completing the program, Savannah was offered a Lead Teacher position at CWC East Valley.

“The program helped me further my career and teaching experiences.”

- Savannah Elcock

Adriana Gonzalez | CWC Silver Lake Adriana was a teaching associate for six years at CWC Los Angeles, before pursuing the Marshall Teacher Residency. The program allowed her to dedicate herself to teaching professionally and learn from teaching mentors in a hands-on environment. As part of the program, she had the chance to lead a classroom and exercise creativity, expand her knowledge, and build on her experiences. After completing the program, Adriana was offered a Lead Teacher position at CWC Silver Lake.

“Rerouting my professional development and educational path to pursue teaching was one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

- Adriana Gonzalez

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

CWC STAFF MAKING HEADLINES

Music from Around the World CWC West Valley Music teacher, Matt Ellison, was featured on an NBC News segment.

His enthusiasm for teaching students about different cultures through music was highlighted in this news story.

WATCH VIDEO

CWC STAFF MAKING HEADLINES

Commitment to Inclusive Education CWC Mar Vista’s Psychologist and Director of Special Education, Chantal Diaz, received the Nadine Lambert Outstanding School Psychologist Award 2023. Each year the California Association of School Psychologists recognizes outstanding school psychologists. Chantal was awarded for her exemplary commitment to the school community, families, and students she serves.

READ MORE

| Core Value Awards

AWARDS This year, we received an outpouring of Core Value Award nominations, a testament to the strong, supportive culture present on all school sites. These annual awards are an opportunity to celebrate staff who go above and beyond to uphold CWC’s core values in their work with students and families and also recognize the colleagues who uplifted their fellow co-workers by nominating them.

CWC’S VALUES

Authenticity, Change, Community, Diversity and Excellence are lived out every day in our interactions, our dedication to our work, and our commitment to one another.

OUR CORE VALUES

Lists of all nominees These nominees were selected from over 65 submissions

Authenticity

Change

Community

CHRISTINA MCCRARY CWC West Valley

DR. JAMES BOGANEY CWC Silver Lake Middle

BARBARA WISE CWC Mar Vista

BARRETT WARDEN CWC Mar Vista

SARAH LIMA CWC West Valley

CAITLYN HAVIS CWC West Valley

MARLENE GUZMAN CWC West Valley

BARBARA WISE CWC Mar Vista

SARAH LIMA CWC West Valley

Diversity

Excellence

GLORIA LIN Regional Support Office

EVA SCHLOMAN CWC Hollywood

PAOLA SANTIAGO CWC West Valley

HALEY KEECH Regional Support Office

EMILY JONES CWC Mar Vista

MARIA RODRIGUEZ CWC Hollywood

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

2024 Core Value Award Winners

Authenticity Award

Diversity Award

MARLENE GUZMAN CWC West Valley

EMILY JONES CWC Mar Vista TK-5

Marlene brings her true authentic self into everything she does at CWC West Valley. Part of her authentic self is to center the wellbeing of all children. Every decision she makes is centered on the kiddos at CWC West Valley. She is not afraid to step in and step up when it comes to the kids.

She’s also really funny and brings that humor and wit to liven up even the hardest situations.

Change Award BARBARA WISE CWC Mar Vista TK-5 Barbara has accepted the unknown and has shown up to work every day with a smile on her face, regardless of already being aware of the challenges she would face each day. Barbara is an excellent example of someone who is truly passionate about her job and would do whatever it takes to make a difference in the lives of others!

If I could nominate her for all categories, I would!

She deserves an award for each category!

Community Award SARAH LIMA CWC West Valley Sarah is the glue that keeps CWC West Valley united! She dedicates herself to building community in everything that we do. From celebrating birthdays, having baby showers and creating team-building games she is always looking for ways to bring us together.

On top of that, as the Social Emotional Learning Director, she is always checking in with staff and caregivers. Her open door with delicious treats on her desk are just a few ways that she shows how deeply she cares.

Ms. Jones sets a standard for excellence and hard work for all of her students while also meeting their individual personal needs socially and emotionally. This is why she is a perfect candidate for a Diversity Award. No matter who her students are, whether they are incredibly high academically or really struggling, she sees them for their strengths and weaknesses as individual humans and supports them in becoming better. Emily Jones includes all students, regardless of their challenges, as equal and valued members of the class. She also makes sure to model and talk to her students about how they are all a community.

No one is left out in Emily Jones’s classroom, and everyone grows.

Excellence Award MARIA RODRIGUEZ CWC Hollywood Maria is an amazing support to the CWC Hollywood community! She has built strong relationships with students and adults, and staff rely on her insights and help with behavior support. Maria is thoughtful and is able to solve tricky situations while also balancing the longterm consequences of an action. She is able to think critically about student needs, ensuring that coverage is sufficient to support some of our neediest learners. Maria exemplifies excellence by modeling it for our community!

Congratulations to this year’s winners !

Showcased alongside their nomination letters.

| Student Programs

PROGRAMS: A YEAR OF FUN, LEARNING, AND CONNECTION CWC LA’s dedicated Student Programs team keeps our students engaged and growing before school, after school, over holidays, and more. They lead meaningful programming that inspires our students to collaborate and learn through hands-on experiences. Here are just a few highlights from another great year.

Student Programs 2023-24 Of our students across the region participated in student programs.

Of these students identified as foster youth, homeless, or qualified for the free or reduced-priced lunch program.

THANK YOU TO OUR STUDENT PROGRAM PARTNERS We are grateful to this growing list of sponsors and partners who support us to offer incredible programs to our students across the region.

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

CWC LA CAMPS This past year we were thrilled to host Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer camps, bringing together students across all of our locations. These camps allow them to continue to connect, learn, and grow outside of the classroom in a dynamic, supportive environment. Thanks to the support of our partners, we are also able to provide scholarships to all students who needed them.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS We are proud to serve a diverse population of students, and our after-school programs reflect that diversity as well.

We take great joy in celebrating cultural heritage months throughout the year, creating inclusive environments where students can learn about and embrace their own cultural backgrounds as well as those of their peers. These celebrations allow us to highlight the richness of our community and promote understanding, unity, and pride.

LEARNING LABS Learning Labs are an exciting new space where ALL students attending after-school care are supported academically.

Students have access to personalized instruction targeting their specific academic goals, homework support, social skills development, and other activities tailored to their individual needs.

SPORTS/ATHLETICS CWC LA sports teams are expanding across the region!

This past year we were thrilled to offer flag football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track and field. CWC LA takes great pride in the dedication and hard work of our studentathletes and coaches. Our teams showcased their skills and teamwork during various school-wide and city-wide tournaments. This included competing in our first CWC LA Soccer Cup, the FIYA tournament, regional meets, and earning top placements in multiple events.

| CWC LA Graduates

OUR GRADUATES We continue to stay connected with our alumni as they move on to high school, college, and the workforce. We love welcoming them back and seeing how much they have grown.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Citizens of the World Hollywood  Ohio Wesleyan University Ella Lazare was one of our first CWC Hollywood students when we opened our doors in 2010. She is currently attending Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) on a full academic Presidential Scholarship, majoring in Zoology with a minor in Communication.

“CWC grounded my appreciation for diversity, individually and collectively. I have a greater understanding of educational diversity - we all learn in different ways and CWC has done a great job of catering to it’s diverse student population.”

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Citizens of the World Silver Lake  Southern Methodist University Bashir Iman was in the founding class of CWC Silver Lake, attending all the way through 8th grade. In high school he participated in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and graduated on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll. Bashir was accepted to 8 universities and currently is in his first year at Southern Methodist University majoring in Finance.

“CWC equipped me with the tools to engage with a diverse community, teaching me the importance of mindfulness and empathy. I learned that understanding others enriches our shared experiences and prepares us for the complexities of the world.”

CWC ANNUAL REPORT | 2024

Graduate Outcomes The list of high schools that our graduating 8th graders are accepted into continues to grow. We are proud of our rigorous middle school program that prepares our students for their choice of high school.

HIGH SCHOOL LIST Academic Performance Excellence

Campbell Hall School

John Marshall High School

Santa Monica High School

Academy (APEX)

Downtown Magnets High School

John Marshall Magnet

Sequoyah School

Bernstein High School

Eagle Rock High School

Larchmont Charter School

Shalhevet High School

Alexander Hamilton High School

Eagle Rock Gifted Magnet

Los Angeles County High School for

South LA College Prep

Alexander Hamilton High School

Edward R. Roybal Learning Center

the Arts (LACHSA)

St. Francis High School

Magnet

iCAMP Magnet

Loyola High School

STEM Academy

Alexander Hamilton High School

El Camino Real Charter High School

Mayfield Senior School

The School of Los Angeles

Academy of Music & Performing Arts

Episcopal School of Los Angeles

Milken Community Schools

The Episocopal School of Los Angeles

(AMPA)

(ESLA)

New Roads School

(ESLA)

Alliance College-Ready Public Schools

Fairfax High School

New Village Girls Academy

The Thacher School

– Ted K. Tajima High School

Geffen Academy

New West Charter School

The Waverly School

The Archer School for Girls

Girls Academic Leadership Academy

Oakwood School

TREE Academy

Aveson Global Leadership Academy

(GALA)

Palisades Charter High School

University High School

(AGLA)

Granada Hills Charter School

Polytechnic School

USC Brio College Prep

Beverly Hills High School

Helen Bernstein High School

Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual

USC Hybrid High School

Boyle Heights STEM Magnet

Harvard-Westlake School

and Performing Arts

Value Charter School

Bright Star Schools – Rise Kohyang

High Tech Los Angeles Charter High

Renaissance Arts Academy

Venice High School (School for

Buckley School

School

Reseda Charter High School

Advanced Studies)

Camino Nuevo Charter Academy

Hollywood High School

RFK – School for the Visual Arts and

Vistamar School

Dalzelle Lance Campus

Immaculate Heart High School

Humanities

Wilson Performing Arts Center

Many of our graduates are heading to College. This list of top higher education institutions across the country continues to grow. Congratulations CWC Alumni!

East LA College

Northwestern University

UC Berkeley

Boise State University

Emerson College

NYU Tisch School of the Arts

UC Los Angeles

Boston University

Evergreen University

Oberlin College

UC Merced

Brandeis University

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical

Occidental College

UC Riverside

Cal Poly SLO

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