Welcome to the Green Dot Blog!

Teaching at a Transformation School with Veronica Robinson

Apr 23, 2018

Ánimo Phillis Wheatley science teacher Veronica Robinson shares why it’s so important to her to be teaching at a transformation school.

Meet Alexandre Burrall, English Teacher at Ánimo Phillis Wheatley

Apr 13, 2018

Meet Alexandre Burrall, English Teacher at Ánimo Phillis Wheatley Charter Middle School, one of our transformation schools.

The Broad Center — Cristina de Jesus – An advocate for education

Apr 4, 2018

The Broad Center features Green Dot California CEO Cristina de Jesus on their blog.

Why This Artist Knew She Belonged in the Classroom

Apr 4, 2018

During her time at Green Dot, Stephanie Lowe, Ánimo College Preparatory Academy art teacher, has helped establish two Advanced Placement (AP) art programs and exposed students to museums and landmarks across California, and even across the world in a trip to Europe!

What it Takes to Build a School Vision

Apr 2, 2018

Ánimo Mae Jemison Charter Middle School Principal Nate Geller has spent the past year working with staff, students, and families to reinvent school culture and build a new vision that can help them see the future they are building together.

Announcing the Sixth Annual Golden Dot Awards Finalists

Mar 28, 2018

Meet the finalists for the Sixth Annual Golden Dot Awards!

Green Dot Teachers Union and Staff Host Second Scholarship Fundraiser

Mar 28, 2018

On a rainy Saturday morning, over 200 educators, administrators, union leaders, and community leaders laced up their running shoes to participate in the annual Race to College 5K Fun(d) Run.

College is a Matter of ‘When,’ Not ‘If’ at Green Dot

Mar 21, 2018

Though more students in the United States are attending college after high school than ever before, as many as one in three first-year students don’t return after their freshman year. At Green Dot, we’re helping students build a vision for their life that includes completing college before they even step foot on campus their freshman year.

LA School Report–Emilio Pack and Cristina de Jesus: The only way forward is partnership

Mar 21, 2018

Green Dot California CEO Cristina de Jesus and Emilio Pack, CEO of STEM Prep Schools, share their perspective about what LAUSD should be looking for in the next superintendent.

Middle Schoolers Take College Classes at Ánimo Ellen Ochoa

Mar 13, 2018

To truly prepare students for college, Ánimo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle School has partnered with East Los Angeles College to offer its middle school students college courses.

Ánimo Westside Students Win Funding for Wellness Program

Mar 6, 2018

Young women at Ánimo Westside Charter Middle School received seed funding to create social change at their school and within their community by launching Regular Girl Fitness.

How Ánimo Mae Jemison is Strengthening Parent Relationships

Mar 5, 2018

Ánimo Mae Jemison Charter Middle School works closely with parents to bridge the gap between students’ home and school lives. In addition to the traditional back-to-school nights and School Advisory Council (SAC) meetings, Green Dot partners with United Parents and Students (UPAS) to offer a series of Parent Academy workshops.

Help Us Shine Light on Exceptional Educators

Mar 1, 2018

On May 5, 2018, Green Dot Public Schools will celebrate educators and staff who are transforming the landscape of public education.

How Two Green Dot Students Wound Up on the Hamilton Stage

Mar 1, 2018

Last fall, over 50 students and a dozen chaperones from Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High School, Ánimo Venice Charter High School, and Ánimo Jackie Robinson Charter High School, traveled to the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood to attend a special performance of the smash-hit musical Hamilton.

ABC 7–Robotics program in Watts offers teens technological path to college

Feb 21, 2018

ABC 7 highlights a music video made by Ánimo College Preparatory Academy’s Robotics Team, created for a funding competition.

Under the Same Roof Now: Reflections from a Senior on ASLA’s New Building

Feb 20, 2018

ASLA senior Frederick Rodulfo shares his experience of how the 2014 building fire has impacted his high school experience.

Green Dot Signs On To Joint Statement on President Trump’s FY19 Budget Proposal

Feb 16, 2018

Green Dot joined charter school networks from across the country in signing on to this statement on the President’s FY18 budget.

A Field Trip to Empower Young Women of Color

Feb 15, 2018

This past fall, 100 young women of color from six Green Dot high schools took a trip to the University of Southern California for a day of building awareness, and discussing equity, inclusion, and empowerment.

A Look Inside Green Dot’s In-House Administrator Credentialing Residency

Feb 13, 2018

The AIR program seeks to increase the number of highly effective school leaders at the helm of Green Dot schools and successfully turning around the country’s most persistently low-performing schools.

In Memoriam: Education Advocate & Green Dot Parent Shirley Ford

Feb 12, 2018

Today we honor the life of education advocate and Green Dot parent Shirley Ford. As a result of her work, Ford became a nationwide ambassador for parents from low-income communities who felt disenfranchised by their public school system.