Griffin Academy renewal hearing draws students and parents who praise dual-enrollment and small-school community

The Vallejo City Unified School District on Monday held a public hearing on Griffin Academy High School’s charter renewal petition, hearing presentations from district reviewers, school leaders and more than a dozen supporters who said the small campus gives students academic and social-emotional advantages.

District staff opened the hearing and explained the review timeline: the petition was received Oct. 15, the district will post a recommendation by Dec. 28 (the 75th day), and the board expects to act or continue the matter in January, the staff said.

Nick Driver, representing the petitioners, described program strengths including graduation and college- and career-readiness metrics and said Griffin students “outperform the state in both English language arts and science” while showing growth in math. He described the school as “a small, connected environment” and said students report feeling safe and supported.

Margie Giorgio, chief academic officer and co-leader for Griffin, attributed academic gains to small class sizes, a looping model that keeps students with the same teachers year to year and close teacher collaboration. Giorgio noted improvements in ELA and science, steady EL reclassification gains and continuing work to raise math achievement.

Crystal O’Connell, director of wellness, outlined layered social-emotional supports at Griffin: advisory lessons, in-class “zen zones,” restorative practices, wellness coaching, clinical interns and partnerships for tier-three therapeutic interventions. O’Connell said the wellness program now serves about 40 high-school students a week and that clinical interns work under licensed supervision.

Board members pressed for details. A trustee asked whether dual-enrollment courses are taught on Griffin’s campus or at community colleges; school leaders said most dual-enrollment instruction is provided through Contra Costa Community College, though some college-taught or articulated classes meet on the campus. Trustees asked for subgroup achievement data; the presenters said the petition contains more detailed demographic and subgroup scores and identified Latino and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups as the largest measured subgroups.

Students and parents offered multiple endorsements during public comment. Ayah Hamdan, Griffin’s ASB president, told the board the dual-enrollment program allowed her to earn “more than 60 college credits” while in high school and said the school’s small size created leadership opportunities and close teacher support. Several other students and a parent said the school’s dual-enrollment program, small classes and community feel justify renewal.

Board chair closed the hearing after public comment and said the input from petitioners, staff and the public will be part of the formal record the board and staff will use in preparing their recommendation.

The district emphasized this session was a fact-gathering hearing only; no vote on the renewal took place Monday. The board signaled the next public-facing steps are posting the staff recommendation and returning in January for further action.