Mission

The aim of New Los Angeles Charter School (New LA) is to cultivate future civic leaders through rigorous project-based learning and hands-on commitment to social justice, teaching students skills that will enable them to thrive and ensure advanced academic success. The school nurtures and trains students who understand how to work together to solve problems, changing their own lives as they change the community around them. Located in Mid-City Los Angeles, the heart of a diverse city, New LA serves 300 students in grades 6-8. With small classes, a diverse student body, and attentive teachers, New LA is a nurturing standards-based school. New LA has a rigorous standards-based curriculum, fosters respect for human life, and provides relevant life experiences. The culture of the school creates a shared sense of mission, one that reinforces in our students a love of learning, a commitment to social action, and a deep respect for others. 

New LA keyword: Rigor. Middle school is the gateway to future academic success. At New LA, every student receives the academic foundation to be prepared for a college preparatory high school. Rigorous intellectual development comes from a focus on habits of mind and not merely information retention. Students demonstrate mastery of concepts and skills by working together on real-life projects rather than test-taking alone. New LA uses an effective model of rigorous standards-based instruction, through which all students will achieve mastery of California state content standards by the end of each grade level. 

New LA keyword: Relevance. At New LA, we believe, as John Dewey did, that “education is the fundamental method of social progress.” New LA students are challenged to pursue the goals of equality and justice, and work to promote progress in their local and global communities. They are taught to use their knowledge and skills to work for a just, equitable, compassionate world. Learning is connected to real life experiences. Students participate in volunteer work, gaining valuable real life experience. This leads to a deeply embedded feeling in every student that adolescents have the power to change the world. 

New LA keywords: Respect and Relationships. In order for students to grow academically, creatively, and morally, they need a safe space to take risks. New LA encourages vigorous debate and expression of individual voice, but through the use of active listening and conflict resolution techniques. The school uses active and project-based learning and thematic integration at strategic points in the curriculum to develop youth who have the skills, knowledge, and resources to work with diverse groups of people in order to lead their communities towards social justice. New LA students participate in a structured Advisory program in order to develop a deep sense of trust in themselves, the strength and courage to succeed at life’s challenges, and the skills necessary to confidently pursue future academic and career aspirations.