Community Learning Days Are Now Career Learning Days!
We are excited to announce an evolution of one of Da Vinci’s unique learning experiences. Beginning this school year, Community Learning Days (CLDs) will become Career Learning Days.
Career Learning Days will continue to bring students from across Da Vinci’s high schools together for meaningful learning experiences, while placing a greater focus on career awareness, career exploration, and career-readiness skills.
There will be four CLDs during the 2026-27 school year:
- Monday, September 21, 2026
- Friday, October 30, 2026
- Friday, March 5, 2027
- Monday, April 26, 2027
Exploring Possibilities and Building Career-Readiness Skills
Career Learning Days give students opportunities to explore industries and career pathways, connect their interests and strengths to future possibilities, and build skills for college, career, and life.
Through hands-on workshops, field experiences, and conversations with working professionals, students can explore new careers while practicing essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, responding to feedback, and showcasing their skills and accomplishments.
Workshops are led by Da Vinci teachers and staff, industry professionals, and community partners. Each Career Learning Day will also begin with a career panel for students participating in on-campus workshops, offering the chance to hear directly from professionals about their career journeys.
Students from across Da Vinci’s high schools will come together to explore new interests and learn alongside one another. Launched in 2024-25, CLDs were created in response to our community’s desire for more opportunities to collaborate, connect, learn, and grow together.
A Look at September 21
Our first Career Learning Day of the year will offer students an exciting range of on-campus workshops, field experiences, and opportunities to learn directly from working professionals.
Students should arrive at 201 Campus (201 N. Douglas St.) between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. The day will conclude with dismissal at 12:30 p.m.
Following a guest speaker session, students will participate in on-campus workshops and field experiences. A few highlights include:
Design Your Future: Career & Life Simulation: Students will explore careers based on their interests and participate in an interactive life simulation that connects career choices, income, and real-world expenses. They’ll practice making financial and lifestyle decisions based on their chosen career.
Real-Time Filmmaking with Xsens Motion Capture: Students will step onto a virtual movie set and see how an actor’s movements can bring a digital character to life in real time. The experience will demonstrate how acting, filmmaking, animation, and technology come together in the entertainment industry.
Firehouse Field Lesson: Students will visit El Segundo Fire Station 2 to explore careers throughout the fire department and learn about a range of public safety careers, including firefighting, fire prevention, inspection, and emergency management.
How to Handle Feedback: What happens when your manager gives you feedback during your first few weeks on the job? Students will step into the shoes of a new employee and practice responding with confidence, asking questions, and using feedback to improve.
Building Your “Hire Me” Portfolio: Students will learn how to organize and showcase the skills they have developed through projects and school-related activities. They will create a portfolio they can use as they begin developing résumés, cover letters, and other application materials.
AI & Human-Centered Design: Students will learn about the Human-Centered Design process and put their skills into practice by building simple AI applications designed to solve real-world problems.
Indivisible Arts Workshop: Join Indivisible Arts founder Rafael McMaster to learn practical mindset tools for managing stress, building emotional resilience, and strengthening focus. Through focused attention and visualization exercises, students will develop strategies they can use to cultivate greater clarity and intentionality in their daily lives.
Sports Performance Technology: Explore how real-world data can be used to measure and improve athletic performance. Students will run, jump, and lift while learning from sports performance professionals and experiencing the technology used to track performance.
These are just a few of the many experiences available to students on September 21, with workshops spanning healthcare, the arts, technology, business, public safety, and more.
Students will receive workshop information and a Career Learning Day Workshop Request Form on September 8. The deadline to submit the form is Monday, September 14. The form is only open to Da Vinci students.
We encourage students to choose workshops that spark their interests, explore potential career pathways, and build valuable skills for the future.
Off-Campus Learning
Students may also choose to design their own day of learning off-campus. These independent learning experiences can include exploring career interests, participating in a job shadow, pursuing independent projects, catching up on schoolwork, or engaging in other meaningful learning opportunities.
This flexibility allows students to take greater ownership of their learning while pursuing experiences that connect to their individual interests, goals, and future plans.
Time for Learning and Growth—For Everyone
CLDs also provide valuable time for Da Vinci educators to collaborate, plan, grow professionally, and recharge. Supporting the social-emotional wellness of both students and staff remains central to the spirit of these days.
Preparing Students for What Comes Next
At Da Vinci, we believe students should have meaningful opportunities to discover their interests, explore what is possible, and build the knowledge and skills needed to navigate their futures with confidence.
We look forward to an exciting year of career-based exploration, discovery, and learning!
