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Collaborative Leadership
- Campus is united under a clear vision and constitution
- Governance is inclusive, streamlined and efficient
- Leaders operate with clear roles and responsibilities
Example Activity: Management Teams
MLA, LAUSD, and community stakeholders work in collaborative teams to design, plan and manage all aspects of the school's operations, sharing onsite decision making within an organizational structure unprecedented in a non-charter public school.
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Safe Campus
- Campus security is professionally trained and cares about students
- Discipline policies are clarified and enforced
- Community stakeholders work collaboratively to ensure a safe neighborhood around the school
Example Component: Student Uniforms
All students proudly wear a professionally designed uniform at West Adams Prep. Uniform includes different styles (such as plaid skirts and argyle sweaters) and the popular school crest.
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Functional, Clean & Beautiful Facility
- Campus design is unique, non traditional and inspiring
- Facility is comprehensive with exceptional offerings to enhance learning
- Campus is clean and graffiti free
Example Activity: Community Garden
The Manual Arts community garden, designed as part of the biology curriculum by teachers and students, is a centerpiece to the campus and creates unique opportunities for hands-on learning.
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Integrated Holistic Support for Every Child
- Development of whole child + family
- Every child receives fundamental services & knowledge (e.g., “a-g req.” )
- Every child receives a teacher as a mentor and advisor
Example Activity: Advisory
A 30-minute period each day whereby a cohort of students stays with the same teacher all 4 years of high school. Curriculum sets a baseline of services and knowledge for every child at each grade level in college/career, health/wellness, and civic leadership.
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Relevant Professional Development
- Professional development activities are peer driven
- Teacher collaboration is built physically and socially into the daily life of school
- Teachers are supported through an enormous network of social and financial capital to advance their careers
Example Activity: Teacher Innovation Grants
A grants program for teachers that drives innovation and entrepreneurialism by providing much needed financial support directly to teachers to advance new and creative curriculum ideas.
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Innovative & Rigorous Instructional Programs
- Schools are known for hallmark academic programs and cutting edge lesson design
- All students participate in experiential and project-based learning opportunities
- Small school environments support intensive thematic and career explorations
Example Activity: Hallmark Programs
Each small school at West Adams Prep features a hallmark program with specialized learning opportunities within its academic theme. Private sector experts partner with teachers to develop curriculum and provide unique electives. Each program culminates in a project that is celebrated by the small school community.
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Significant Parental Engagement
- School thrives daily with active and engaged parents
- Parents integrate into the campus through paid and volunteer roles
- Workshops engage, support and empower parents in key areas ranging from health and wellness to college access
Example Component: Parent Center
All parents are welcome in the Parent & Community Center, the hub for community members involved at West Adams. Here parents can easily access information and services relevant to their child, meet the people behind the services, meet other parents, and discover ways to get involved.
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Effective Marketing & Community
Relations- School has a clearly defined identity, message and “brand”
- High standards are set for verbal and written communications, and main office reception
- School becomes a trusted source of information for the community
Example Component: Dynamic Website
MLA schools use the Internet to effectively package the school to the surrounding community and accurately communicate activities and events.
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Strategic Resource Management & Allocation
- Partners are rigorously recruited, screened and managed
- Community members use a “universal referral system” to access services
- School is open to the entire community, offering a multitude of services for families
Example Activity: 7 to 7
West Adams features a longer school day with a variety of programs, classes and activities across multiple subject areas for students and families. Classes taught by community organizations, industry professionals, adult school and Beyond the Bell are tied together under one cohesive program.
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Transparent Data & Relevant Outcomes
- Work is driven by community-wide awareness of the school´s vision and goals
- Through transparent and open use of data, school community is always up-to-date on progress
- Student data is used to monitor and improve teaching and learning
Example Component: Cutting-Edge Data System
MyData, a cutting edge web-based tool, gives teachers and administrators access to timely and comprehensive data that can be used to make informed decisions about instruction.
