Welcome Back, Da Vincians!
Dear Da Vincians:
As we kick off our 17th year together serving students, families, and communities, I want to begin with a heartfelt thank you. You are extraordinary. Your talent, dedication, and heart make a profound difference in the lives of young people. Because of you, they’re not only gaining knowledge, but also building agency, purpose, and the tools to navigate a rapidly changing world.
I believe our most important job is helping students become self-aware, self-directed, and future-ready. In the process, they discover who they are, what matters to them, and how they want to contribute to the world—building the confidence, values, and direction they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
While we continue to champion college access for all, our vision has grown. “Career for All” ensures every Da Vinci graduate leaves with the skills, experiences, and confidence to pursue a purposeful future—whether through college, a career, the military, or other meaningful paths.
At Da Vinci, we believe our most important job is helping students become self-aware, self-directed, and future-ready. We’re living in a world shaped by economic, political, and technological disruption—we can’t predict what’s next, but we can prepare students to thrive in it.
The Red Bridge school’s vision puts it beautifully:
“All students graduate with a sense of ownership over their learning and their lives—so that no matter what the future looks like, they have the capacity to adapt and flourish.”
Agency starts with self-knowledge—knowing our strengths, motivations, and areas of growth. That self-understanding is the foundation of learning, and it's the key to building a life of purpose and prosperity.
At Da Vinci, we believe purpose is deeply tied to economic mobility—helping students lead meaningful, financially secure lives. A college degree used to be a reliable ticket to the middle class. But rising costs, limited loan access, job uncertainty, and a disconnect between college degrees and employment outcomes have disrupted that model.
This shift has led us to reframe our thinking—from college for all to career for all.
We still believe in college access for every student who wants it. But we no longer believe in college at any cost, or in pushing students toward a one-size-fits-all path. Instead, we focus on helping students discover who they are, what drives them, and how to make intentional, informed choices about their future.
The District or Central Office exists to serve the school sites—helping you do your best work by:
- Removing barriers (aka administrative crap)
- Building capacity and resources
- Looking ahead to protect and prepare Da Vinci for what’s next
We do this in three roles:
SENTINELS
We keep watch for external threats and shifts—especially those that impact our ability to deliver on our mission. Right now, that includes:
- Federal risks: Delayed Title I/special education funds tied to policy disputes, and the Mahmoud v. Taylor SCOTUS decision, which allows families to opt out of LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum on religious grounds—likely creating complex administrative and cultural challenges.
- State threats: Charter schools, especially non-classroom-based models like Connect and RISE, face intense scrutiny and restrictions, even as the state grapples with declining enrollment and funding.
- Budget volatility: K-12 makes up nearly 50% of the California state budget. With other crises (e.g., wildfires) and withheld federal dollars, we must be prepared for possible cuts. This is why we’ve been asking everyone to “tighten our belts.” The good news is that Da Vinci is in a strong position because of our history of exceptional financial leadership, strong and growing enrollment, significant grant funding, and the generous philanthropic support of our community. While we can’t control state politics or natural disasters, we can—and will—continue to plan carefully so we can weather challenges and protect what matters most: our students, staff, and programs.
TALENT SCOUTS & STEWARDS
We’re committed to attracting, retaining, and growing talent—and doing it in a way that aligns with our values of defined autonomy and mission-driven excellence.
Defined autonomy = freedom to act within clearly understood goals, boundaries, and accountability—so we stay aligned while moving forward with confidence.
PROSPECTORS
We look for opportunities to grow impact, innovate, and increase sustainability.
The Da Vinci Schools Fund (DVSF)—our 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation—supports our mission by:
- Piloting bold ideas
- Conducting feasibility studies
- Supporting research
- Driving innovation and scaling what works
This year, DVSF is expanding its impact in three key areas:
- Education Innovation: Acting as a “jet ski” to try new ideas and programs before bringing them to scale.
- Community Engagement: Strengthening ties with Wiseburn USD, the Wiseburn Ed Foundation, and other local partners.
- Fundraising & Financial Services: Ensuring we have the resources to grow, adapt, and thrive.
Looking Ahead: 2025-26 Initiatives
We have exciting new and evolving initiatives coming your way this year—stay tuned for details in the weeks ahead.
Final Thought
I’m especially encouraged by our partnership with Wiseburn USD as we begin to co-create a Wiseburn + Da Vinci Profile of a Learner—a shared vision for what we want all students to know, do, and become. Together, we’re building stronger lines of communication and broader opportunities for everyone we serve.
Thank you again for all you do to make Da Vinci a special place where every student is known, seen and valued. Here’s to a year filled with growth, purpose, and possibility in our work together.
With gratitude,
