Welcome to the Green Dot Blog!

‘Not My Parents’ Locke’: Reflections from a Current Locke Student

Oct 9, 2018

I’ve heard people say, “Locke is a school meant for delinquents who will never amount to anything.” This statement couldn’t be further from the truth.

Green Dot Celebrates National Principals’ Month

Oct 8, 2018

At Green Dot we know that all great schools have a great leader at the helm. Families trust them with their student’s well-being and their academic journeys.

SBAC Results Show Green Dot Schools Achieve Breakthrough in Student Growth

Oct 5, 2018

Green Dot students in South LA students are achieving some of the best academic growth in the state, according to state test and academic growth models from CORE, a network of the 9 largest school districts across California.

Announcing The Learning Curve: News and Views from Green Dot Leaders

Oct 4, 2018

Green Dot Public Schools is excited to announce The Learning Curve, a platform for sharing reflections and leading ideas on public education from Green Dot leaders.

Five Green Dot Schools Up For Renewal Are All Re-authorized

Sep 28, 2018

Several schools across South LA were renewed this week by elected officials, helping keep more high quality public options to these historically underprivileged neighborhoods. Green Dot Public Schools’ network of Title I secondary schools had five schools under scrutiny this week–and all five were renewed!

What I learned from failing

Sep 18, 2018

By Cristina de Jesus Last month, I shared a reflection with New Schools Venture Fund (NSFV) on several of the lessons I’ve learned in the past 18 years of operating schools in Los Angeles. Today, I want to underscore and elaborate on those lessons learned. It’s really hard to talk about failure, but it’s also a personal…

Special Education is an Equity Issue and it Requires Investment

Sep 18, 2018

By Bree Dusseault Last month, The Seattle Times asked whether charter schools in Washington truly serve students with special needs. Data showed that the answer was a resounding “yes” – a reflection of both the state’s well-designed charter school law working in practice, and charter school operators’ commitment to accepting and assisting students from all backgrounds…

A Colorful Competition at Ánimo Jackie Robinson Charter High School

Sep 10, 2018

When you enter into your freshman year at Ánimo Jackie Robinson Charter High School, you are born into one of five houses: the Burgundy Lancers, Yellow Mustangs, Orange Monarchs, Purple Bruins, Green Royals, or the Pink Dodgers. Each spring, these houses compete in The Robinson Games, a school wide tournament that features trivia, strategy, and athletic games.

Students Escape Classroom to Build 21st Century Skills

Sep 5, 2018

Though automation and AI may occupy some jobs in the future, there are many things that robots can’t do as well as humans, like improvised creativity. We don’t know what the future will look like, but we know that learning how to work with people and learning how to solve complex problems will help us adapt to whatever comes our way.

Students Say ‘Thank You’ to Staff and Educators

Aug 31, 2018

In this video, students from across the network have something to say to all of the leaders, staff, and teachers who prepare them for college, leadership, and life.

An Alumna’s Perspective on Green Dot’s Summer Institute for Business & Leadership for Women of Color

Aug 30, 2018

This year Green Dot hosted the Summer Institute for Business and Leadership (SIBL). SIBL was hosted at the University of Southern California (USC) and empowered young women of color to develop passion and purpose through building an entrepreneurial mindset and skill set.

Strong Leaders Take the Helm at Green Dot Schools Across the Country

Aug 28, 2018

As we begin a new school year, Green Dot is proud to introduce a number of new school leaders. While not all are new faces at their schools, they are all new to the helm.

5 Things That Make a High-Quality Public School

Aug 21, 2018

By Megan Quaile In the education world, we use a lot of buzzwords like “personalized learning” or “student success” or “accountability and transparency” when describing a seemingly simple concept: what makes a good public school. For more than a decade I have been working in public education, serving as a school leader and advocate for…

Send Us to SXSWedu 2019: Vote Now for Green Dot’s Panel Submissions

Aug 21, 2018

Green Dot has submitted four panels for the SXSWedu 2019 conference and we need your help to make sure our panels get chosen! Create an account with SXSW and vote for Green Dot’s panels.

New Year, New School! Doors are Open at Ánimo Compton

Aug 15, 2018

This month, Green Dot’s newest school in California, Ánimo Compton Charter School opened its doors to smiling faces and eager minds at the Vanguard Learning Center in Compton. Ánimo Compton is Green Dot California’s first school to serve sixth through twelfth grade students.

Families Advocate for Better Food Quality in our Communities

Aug 8, 2018

“For far too long having fast food restaurants on every corner has taken a toll on the health of our communities,” said Keisha Mitchell, a United Parents & Students leader. In many underserved neighborhoods there is a higher likelihood of residents finding multiple fast food chains than wholesome grocery stores.

Daily Breeze — Local High School Graduates Land Prestigious Scholarships

Aug 6, 2018

Vanessa Felix, Ánimo Inglewood Charter High School alumna will have an extra $10,000 to fund her plans for higher education after being selected for the Milken Scholars 2018 Scholarship Program.

Ánimo Watts Students Let Their Voices Be Heard

Jul 30, 2018

Community Engagement Coordinator Samantha Levra shares about a group of students from Ánimo Watts College Preparatory Academy hosting a Call Your Representative Day.

Green Dot Students Create Women in STEM Scholarship

Jul 27, 2018

Despite the fact that women make up more than 40% of the workforce, they hold less than a quarter of the nearly 8.6 million Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) jobs in the United States. This statistic nagged at four young women from Ánimo Jackie Robinson Charter High School.