Nine Green Dot High Schools Rank in U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools for 2021

For over 20 years, our schools have led the charge in transforming public education, and have forged new pathways for success for all students. This year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked nine Green Dot Public Schools among the best in the nation in its 2021 Best High School Rankings. 

Each of these schools was recognized for their relentless commitment to student success: Ánimo Leadership Charter High School, Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High School, Ánimo Inglewood Charter High School, Ánimo Venice Charter High School, Ánimo Jackie Robinson Charter High School, Ánimo Ralph Bunche Charter High School, Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School, Ánimo Watts College Preparatory Academy, and Ánimo South Los Angeles Charter High School.

“We are so proud of our students, teachers, administrators, and parents whose dedication to growing our students’ achievement is celebrated with this recognition,” said Dr. Cristina de Jesus, CEO & President, Green Dot Public Schools California. “These awards highlight the importance of working as a community every day, and never giving up on our mission.” 

Most notably, Ánimo Leadership is ranked among the top 1% of high schools in the nation— and among the top 40 high schools in California. Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo, Ánimo Inglewood, Ánimo Venice, Ánimo Jackie Robinson, Ánimo Ralph Bunche, and Ánimo Pat Brown rank among the top 25 percent of high schools in the nation.

“It is an honor to earn recognition for nine of our schools on this year’s best high school list,” said Annette Gonzalez, Chief Academic Officer, Green Dot Public Schools California. “Educating our students with a high-quality, public education was our founding mission 20 years ago, and it is really incredible to see how we’ve grown while staying committed to our mission since then.”

Despite an unprecedented shift to distance learning in 2020, our schools remained steadfast in their mission and emerged as pioneers in virtual instruction and support. We narrowed the digital divide in our communities and provided one-to-one digital devices for our 11,000+ students; We transformed our advisory courses into socioemotional hubs, offering whole-child support and extended virtual peer-to-peer interaction; and we adapted critical services and resources for our students, including virtual access to our Senior Bridge college preparedness summer program, school psychologists, and over 60 after school clubs through Expanded Learning. 

This recognition is a testament to the hard work and unwavering commitment of our educators to fulfilling our mission. Together we will continue to remove barriers to student learning and prepare even more students for success in college, leadership, and life.