Welcome to the Green Dot Blog!

Green Dot Students Advocate for After School Programs in Sacramento

Jul 5, 2018

“I know how much after school programs have impacted me, so having the opportunity to help students have the same great experiences that I had after school was an honor,” said Ryan Atapattu, senior at Ánimo Leadership Charter High School.

The Broad Center–Equity, Inclusion and Welcoming Learning Environments Fill Us With Pride

Jul 2, 2018

The Broad Center interviews Green Dot’s Vice President of Strategic Planning, Nithya Rajan, about Green Dot’s work on diversity, equity and inclusion, with a particular focus on our recent focus in California on supporting students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Check Out the Smiles of the Class of 2018

Jun 28, 2018

Green Dot is proud to celebrate the Class of 2018! This year marked a number of milestones for our schools, and as we reflect on the school year, it’s clear how much there is to celebrate.

Ping Pong Ball-Throwing Robots Get Put to the Test at Fourth Annual Competition

Jun 25, 2018

Students throughout the Green Dot network are learning how to meet the challenges of the future by building their own robots and testing the limits of their mechanical creations.

Panels and Community Building at Annual Launch to College Event Prepares Students for Life on Campus

Jun 20, 2018

Each year college-bound seniors from all Green Dot high schools in California come together to connect with other seniors attending the same universities, and to learn more about their imminent transition to college.

Q&A: Meet Youth of the Year Award Winner Talisha Skinner

Jun 19, 2018

We sat down with Talisha Skinner, a senior at Alain LeRoy Locke College Preparatory Academy. We spoke with her about what makes Locke special, her future, and what it means to be a Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year honoree.

Why the First Legacy Conference Was Vital for the Achievement of Our African American Male Students

Jun 11, 2018

This year we launched our first Legacy Conference, a day dedicated to exploring the deficits in educating and empowering African American students, in particular young men.

How This Math Teacher Connects the Dots for Her Students

Jun 7, 2018

“It never fails, every time I tell someone that I’m a math teacher they say ‘oh my god, I hated math when I was in school,’” chuckled Elizabeth Marin, math teacher at Ánimo Inglewood Charter High School. Though she’s aware that not every student will leave her class in love with math, her goal is to ensure that all her students can confidently engage it.

Full Scholarship Alert! An Ánimo Watts Warrior Becomes a USC Trojan

Jun 4, 2018

“I will never forget the day the acceptance package came. In that moment, I was overcome with relief, empowerment, and tremendous gratitude just knowing all those difficult days and long nights were not in vain.” Ánimo Watts senior Jacqueline Martinez shares her story of getting a full ride to USC.

Ánimo Cup Soccer Tournament Brings Green Dot Students Together

May 28, 2018

On an early Saturday morning, Green Dot middle school and high school students laced up their cleats for the Ánimo Cup, an intramural soccer tournament for teams in our network.

Ánimo Venice Students Create a Documentary Exploring Sexuality, Gender, and Race in Mesoamerica

May 24, 2018

With the support of their history teacher Omar Ramirez, Mariah Bonilla, Jason Clemens, Abraham Hernandez-Mazon, and Jonathan Lopez created a documentary for the Los Angeles County History Day Competition. Their film, which focused on the history of sexuality, gender, and race in Mesoamerica (pre-colonized Mexico and Central America) and post-colonized Latin America won them a spot in the state finals in Sacramento.

Venice Paparazzi–Venice Paparazzi Rolled Out the Red Carpet for the 8th Annual Venice Wave Awards

May 22, 2018

Ánimo Venice Charter High School teacher Omar Ramirez was one of 17 local teachers honored by the Venice Chamber of Commerce Education Committee for their achievements in and beyond the classroom.

And the Winners of the Sixth Annual Golden Dot Awards Are…

May 17, 2018

On May 5, 2018, eight Golden Dot Awards were given to staff who exemplify Green Dot Public Schools’ core values. Take a look at this year’s winners!

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

May 10, 2018

We are pleased that seven of Green Dot’s high schools have been awarded medals by U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools 2018 report. The report recognizes seven of our independent public charter high schools as among the best in the nation, with Ánimo Leadership and Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo ranking in the top 1% again and both earning another Gold medal.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day from Green Dot Public Schools!

May 9, 2018

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day from Green Dot Public Schools!

Locke Hosts the Fourth Annual Community Appreciation Day

Apr 30, 2018

Green Dot works to help parents realize their power and address the factors outside school boundaries that not only pose barriers to learning, but also inhibit local quality of life. This month Locke hosted its annual Community Appreciation Day, where hundreds of families, community members and local leaders visited Locke for a day of celebration and education.

Photo Essay: Ánimo City of Champions Charter High School’s First Career Day

Apr 27, 2018

This month, students at Ánimo City of Champions Charter High School in Inglewood met with professionals across STEM, business, entertainment, and non-profit industries for their first Career Day.

National Poetry Writing Month Brings Student Stories to the Stage

Apr 26, 2018

Though nearly every English curriculum in America features a unit on poetry, at Green Dot, we provide students with additional outlets to use performance poetry (or spoken word) to pursue self-expression and personal growth.

The Daily Breeze — The 2nd North High Special Olympics event brings all students together for competition

Apr 24, 2018

This month students from Alain LeRoy Locke College Preparatory Academy competed in the 50 meter dash, the 100 meter dash, and the 4×100 meter relay at the North Torrance Unified Track Meet with the Special Olympics.

Green Dot Student Writing and Art Competition Awards Scholarship to Winners!

Apr 24, 2018

Our first Ánimo Voices Writing and Art Competition invited students to write about innovators, upstanders, visionaries, or rebels that have made a difference in their local or broader communities. Check out this year’s winners!