Magnolia Public Schools (MPS), a network of 10 tuition-free charter schools in Southern California (including four in the San Fernando Valley), is replicating its successful STEAM-focused charter school model. It won an $11.3 million grant to expand.
MPS is one of only three schools in California and 17 schools nationwide selected to receive the U.S. Department of Education's Competitive Charter School Program – Charter Management Organization (CSP-CMO) grant. , the grant awarded a total of $140 million in 2024.
MPS received the highest score (over 115 out of 121) of this year's grant applicants.
The network operates four Magnolia Science Academy (MSA) elementary, middle, and high schools in the Valley that focus on science, technology, engineering, art, and math curriculum: Reseda, Northridge, and Lake Balboa. serves more than 1,800 students across its schools.
Learn at Los Lobos
Ari Kaplan, principal of MSA 5-Los Lobos, a Reseda school with approximately 250 students in grades 6 through 12, was excited to learn of the grant award, which he said will help “our school, even though it is small.” “It will help support our wide range of curricula and programs.” strong school. ” A portion of this funding will be used to continue increasing support for Ross Her Lobos students who are English language learners.
“About 33 percent of our students are currently learning English,” Kaplan said. He pointed out that about 90% of students are currently or previously learning English.
Kaplan said that even though many students face language barriers, teachers provide more hands-on help in class and provide additional learning opportunities on Saturdays, during winter break, and in summer school. He said the school can help students succeed by helping them achieve better outcomes than students at comparable schools.
Compared to other Los Angeles County schools with similar student populations, “MSA 5 is one of the top schools, even outperforming some magnet schools,” Kaplan said. 's overall test score is higher than LAUSD, he added, with Los Lobos receiving a 100. Graduation rate %. Last year, 34 of Los Lobos' 37 graduates were accepted to four-year colleges.
Kaplan said the grant will build on past successes and allow the new dual-enrollment college preparation program to “expand and grow.” Students can enroll in select college classes taught on-site in Los Lobos by professors from L.A. Pierce University in Woodland Hills, earn college credit or earn a high school diploma and associate in art. You can also graduate with both your Bachelor of Arts (AA) degree. They can get a head start on their college plans.
He added that the funding will also help the school transition to a new permanent school in Winnetka. The school is under construction and is expected to be completed in August 2025. Originally founded in Hollywood in 2008, Los Lobos has moved locations four times and shares its current location. With MSA 1-Reseda (6-12 student school).
“This was a challenge for us, but MSA 5 was able to work hard and be successful, and we plan to continue doing so in the future,” the principal said.
Expanding funding in MSA 2
David Garner, principal at MSA 2-Valley in Lake Balboa (535 students, 90% Latino), said the grant will help the school's 6-12 schools “overall,” including an increase in enrollment. He said it will help his growth.
“We have seen an increase in student enrollment every year for the past five years,” Garner said, especially “at a time when so many schools are in decline, which I think is an incredible feat.” [in] Registration. He said the goal is to increase enrollment to 664 students over the next five years and eventually develop additional satellite campuses to accommodate the growing student population.
Last year, MSA 2 was named a California School of Excellence for a number of accomplishments, including low suspension and expulsion rates. High graduation rate. High math and English test scores. and the high rate of reclassification of English learners.
“We're very proud of it. It's not just because of the award. We don't necessarily care about the award itself, but what it represents.” Garner explained. “Even a small high school like this can make incredible waves.”
Other notable accomplishments include the student team winning the National Championship for VEX Robotics, a NASA-affiliated program, for the second year in a row. The jazz combo band won second place at the Stanford Jazz Festival. and its ever-growing early college program, students can take their college courses of choice directly at their local college or on the MSA 2 campus, at Pierce College, Los Angeles Mission College, or Los Angeles Valley College.
“It was truly a blessing to see all the hard work that our students and their families have put in over the years, and to experience it from so many vantage points.” said Garner, who was an MSA parent. 2 Before working as a mathematics teacher, I later served as dean of students. He has been the principal of the school for five years.
“These funds will be used to continue developing programs that help build a culture and climate of support; [students] “It brings about more academic development and growth and…makes the school a better place to continue to attract more students to the school,” he said.
Supporting disadvantaged students
To be eligible for the Department of Education's CSP-CMO grant, applicants must serve racially and socio-economically diverse high school students and help students prepare for and transition from high school to college or university admission. need to do it. MPS schools are all located in underserved areas, from the Northeast Valley to San Diego.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and countless hours that our educators, school leaders and staff put into the Magnolia educational model,” said MPS Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent Alfredo. Rubalcava said. “Beyond so that families are supported and children are able to thrive in school.”
