Stronger Together: How Collaboration Across Da Vinci Schools Benefits Every Student
At Da Vinci Schools, collaboration isn’t just something we talk about, it’s part of our DNA. Since day one, our mission has centered on real-world, project-based learning that connects K-12, college, and career. But behind every meaningful student experience is another kind of connection, the way Da Vinci educators across schools come together to share ideas, align practices, and build on one another’s success.
This year, that spirit of teamwork is stronger than ever. From refining instruction to supporting student well-being, our staff and faculty are deepening cross-school collaboration to strengthen learning and expand opportunities for all students. Here’s a look at some of the exciting work happening across the Da Vinci network:
Teaching and Learning
Da Vinci staff are continuously refining their expertise to better meet each student’s unique needs. Educators from every campus collaborate across disciplines, grade levels, and school sites to align assessment and feedback practices referred to at Da Vinci as mastery-based grading (MBG) or learning, our approach to helping students show what they know and grow over time. This work includes examining course essential skills and working together to clarify what mastery looks like to ensure consistency across courses and grade levels. In math, cross-site teacher teams are aligning courses and assessments to deepen conceptual understanding and identify new ways to help students thrive.
Meanwhile, our College and Career Readiness and Financial Literacy teachers from all high schools are coming together to align curriculum, share resources, and strengthen instruction, ensuring every Da Vinci student has access to high-quality, real-world learning in these critical areas.
Career Technical Education (CTE) and Digital Portfolios
Every Da Vinci high school student enrolled in a CTE pathway will create a digital portfolio this year, a personal showcase of their work, growth, and accomplishments. CTE Coordinators from each school kicked off the project with a planning workshop at Google Headquarters in Playa Vista, setting shared goals and frameworks. By year’s end, every student enrolled in a CTE course,representing the vast majority of Da Vinci’s high school students, will have completed their first digital portfolio.
Performing Arts and Leadership Collaboration
Behind the curtain of every Da Vinci production is collaboration at its finest. Principals, assistant principals, and the Performing Arts Coordinator are aligning schedules, documents, and instructional goals, coordinating the use of shared facilities, to expand access to performing arts opportunities across all schools. Recent cross-school musicals like Grease and the upcoming production of Into the Woods show what’s possible when students, staff, and creative energy come together, giving students unforgettable experiences on stage and behind the scenes.
Student Support and Well-Being
Our commitment to collaboration extends far beyond academics. Da Vinci counselors, psychologists, and wellness teams are meeting regularly to strengthen supports for students’ social-emotional well-being. This year, our Student Services department has deepened its impact through the launch of organization-wide meetings that align practices across schools, the development of restorative response protocols and behavioral flowcharts, and the expansion of mental health partnerships through Hazel Health, Care Solace, and the Social Emotional Wellness Initiative (SEWI). Together, we’ve enhanced our SST and 504 processes, refined re-entry supports for substance use and behavioral incidents, and built clearer pathways for prevention, intervention, and family engagement. These collective efforts ensure that every student receives consistent, compassionate care, no matter which Da Vinci school they call home.
Looking Ahead
Collaboration is the heartbeat of Da Vinci, shaping how we teach, lead, and learn together. By connecting across schools, disciplines, and roles, we’re building a stronger, more unified community that amplifies what’s possible for every student. Together, we’re creating the kind of learning environment where innovation thrives, and where every Da Vinci student can truly soar.
