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Just Keep Livin Foundation: “Conscious Living”

Feb 14, 2019

Anthony Thomas, math teacher at Ánimo South Los Angeles Charter High School was recognized by the just keep livin Foundation (JKL) for his work with students and service to the community.

How One Math Lesson Turned Into a Chess Club

Feb 12, 2019

The courtyard at Ánimo Jefferson Charter Middle School bustles with laughter and the sounds of children as they crowd around each other at the lunch tables. Down the hall, the hollow thud of wooden chess pieces echoes in Luis Garcia’s math classroom as 20 students eagerly set up chess boards.

I Am Black History: Why and How We Must Contribute to the Pages of All Our Students’ Stories

Feb 6, 2019

As I think about Black History Month, I remember a drawing of this little brown lady with long, black hair. It was hand drawn by one of my students and it read: “The first day I walked into this [room], I saw a young brown skinned woman. I knew right away I was going to like this class.”

See How Parents Rallied for Change in Their Communities

Feb 4, 2019

Green Dot Joins Thousands of Parents to Rally Ahead of Charter Moratorium

Jan 30, 2019

Yesterday hundreds of parents and students from Green Dot Public Schools joined thousands more from across the city to demand that Los Angeles Unified School District board members vote “no” on a resolution to call for a statewide moratorium on authorizing new charter schools.

Green Dot Leaders Respond to LAUSD’s Call for a Charter Moratorium

Jan 30, 2019

Green Dot National CEO Chad Soleo and Green Dot California CEO Dr. Cristina de Jesus offer a response to yesterday’s LA School Board vote to pass a resolution calling for a moratorium on charter school growth.

USC News: Parents’ Sacrifices Drive First-Generation USC Student to Succeed

Jan 28, 2019

Seeing her mom and dad work tough jobs to survive motivates USC Mork Family Scholar Jacqueline Martinez to provide them and others in similar circumstances with a better life.

Daily News: Capping charter schools in LAUSD will hurt students and families

Jan 27, 2019

With the Los Angeles Unified School District teachers union strike now over, it’s easy to understand why a combination of relief and celebration permeates most corners of the nation’s second-largest school system. Having students and teachers out of the classroom, for a single day, let alone six, benefits no one.

Parent Leaders Foster Change For Their Communities

Jan 22, 2019

This fall, United Parents and Students (UPAS) hosted thousands of local parents, students, and community members at the the fifth annual United Parents and Students assembly, Forward SoCal, at USC’s Bovard Auditorium. Since the assembly, UPAS leaders have obtained significant commitments from city council members and elected officials.

For the Love of Soccer: Seeing Beyond Victory

Jan 18, 2019

Last spring, Ánimo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle School students hoped to participate in Green Dot’s Ánimo Cup, an intramural soccer tournament for teams in Green Dot’s network of schools. There was just one problem: they didn’t have a coach.

Ánimo Pat Brown’s New Building Strengthens the College Pathway

Jan 8, 2019

This fall, the Florence-Firestone community gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School building. The community was overjoyed not just by the prospect of a new facility, but the sixth through twelfth grade pathway the new building will support.

Reflecting On a 2018 of Growth

Jan 2, 2019

As we turn the page on a new year, we take this time to reflect on all the ways we’ve grown in the past year. We have much to be proud of, and still more growth to pursue, but always, we remain committed to the students and families who have entrusted us to help pave a path of preparation for college, leadership, and life.

A More Intentional Approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Green Dot

Dec 11, 2018

In order to deliver on our promise of preparing all students for college, leadership and life, we believe we need to foster school cultures that embrace both individuality and unity, beginning with our own team members.

Perry Shields: Journey of a Second Career Teacher

Dec 4, 2018

“I’m 57 years old, and I’m in my twelfth year of teaching — I’m late to this,” chuckled Perry Shields, drama teacher at Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High School (ODLH). Shields doesn’t mind that his teaching career began later on, as he’s been able to bring his life experiences and passions into his role as an educator.

How a 5k Run Changed This Student’s Life

Nov 20, 2018

“Students want to attend college, but we all share the same worry, and that’s affording it,” urged Celeste Chavez, Ánimo College Prep Academy alumna. “We worry about the cost of tuition, how we will afford food, books, supplies, and of course how we will deal with student loan debt.”

Parent Power: How Hundreds of Families are Changing Their City

Nov 16, 2018

Green Dot has always believed in the power of families and students to self-advocate for the kind of community revitalization they need.

Meet Principal Jasmia Fowler: ‘If Not You, Then Who?’

Nov 6, 2018

There is a mantra that Jasmia Fowler, new Principal at Ánimo College Preparatory Academy, lives by: ‘If not you, then who? If not now, then when?’

Expanded Learning: Supporting Students Beyond the Bell

Nov 2, 2018

At Green Dot Public Schools, learning doesn’t stop when the school bell rings. Expanded learning programs are an extension of the academic day.

Help Make College Access Possible For All

Nov 1, 2018

This year, across our network, each of our 30 schools is fundraising to help underwrite college tours or SAT/ACT prep for their students. Give today and make an impact on the lives of nearly 15,000 students in chronically underserved communities.

Why You Can’t Just Teach Language With Worksheets

Oct 30, 2018

“My focus has been to have the students look at Spanish as a tool, an advantage, and an academic subject, instead of a class they have to take for a grade or a language they only speak at home with their families,” said Borlant-Guertler, Spanish teacher at Ánimo Leadership Charter High School