Da Vinci asks Wiseburn Unified to authorize RISE; board hears presentation and student testimony

Da Vinci Schools asked the Wiseburn Unified School District Board of Trustees on April 16 to authorize its alternative education program, Da Vinci RISE, as part of the Da Vinci Connect charter. The presentation and subsequent public hearing combined a legal explanation, data on student outcomes and several personal testimonies from students and staff who said the program provides a pathway to graduation for students with significant barriers.

"When we brought forth this material revision, we did not provide the level of clarity or completeness that you deserved," said Michelle Rainey, who said she supports curriculum and instruction at Da Vinci Schools. "That was a mistake. And third, a commitment to transparency, to accountability, and to building a stronger, more aligned partnership moving forward." Rainey framed the request as a return of RISE to its original authorizer and described a legal pathway under Ed. Code 47605.1(f) that, in her words, would "allow RISE to operate certain sites outside of Wiseburn's attendance boundaries" when those sites are tied to enumerated workforce or youth programs.

Rainey and legal counsel Greta Proctor told trustees the request is not a new petition or an extension of the charter term but rather a material revision that would permit limited geographic flexibility while keeping accountability with the local authorizer. "That structure is what allows RISE to be locally authorized by Wiseburn while operating certain sites outside of Wiseburn's attendance boundaries," Proctor said, citing the statutory provision.

Da Vinci staff also cited measurable improvements on state indicators. Rainey summarized dashboard gains: English language arts reportedly improved by more than 70 points (red to orange), math by over 40 points, English learner progress rose by 11 percentage points, college-and-career indicators improved and graduation rates rose by more than 16 percentage points. She said attendance rose from roughly 50% to 72% and assessment participation climbed from about 35–40% to over 75% (internal participation above 85%).

Supporters emphasized RISE’s mission and results. "As a principal, what matters most to me is creating learning environments where students and staff feel seen, challenged, and supported," said Naomi Lara, principal of Da Vinci Rise High School, who invited trustees to visit the campus. Multiple current and former students told personal stories of re-engagement and credited the program for helping them stay in school and graduate.

Laura Schaefer, a Da Vinci board member and chief financial officer/COO for a private college, testified remotely about the program's finances: "The budget is balanced and includes a healthy reserve of approximately $900,000," she said, adding that the program is designed to be sustainable on average daily attendance alone and that grants and philanthropic support are enhancements.

Trustees pressed staff on several operational items during the Q&A: the status of a withdrawn petition to the Los Angeles County Office of Education, current campus locations (Richstone Family Center in Hawthorne and a South L.A. site), the distinction between RISE and the district's Success Learning Center, and the planned YouthBuild partnership. Da Vinci representatives confirmed they withdrew a county reauthorization petition while a separate new charter application remained active in other venues. They said current enrollment is about 160 students and that RISE is choosing to maintain smaller enrollment for program stability.

Many speakers at the hearing asked the board to reauthorize RISE locally. "RISE exists to ensure these students do not fall through the cracks and have the opportunity to catch up and return to their school of origin or remain at RISE through graduation," Rainey said. Several community members and Da Vinci board members described the program as a regional model for serving opportunity youth.

The board president closed the public hearing at about 7:13 p.m. and moved the item to deliberation; trustees did not take a final vote at this meeting. The board requested additional clarifying materials and will consider next steps at a future meeting.

Why this matters: The authorization decision will shift oversight and accountability for an alternative program that serves students with high needs — foster youth, students with chronic absenteeism and those returning after long gaps — and may allow limited out-of-boundary operation tied to workforce and youth programs. The board's deliberation will weigh academic gains, financial stability and statutory constraints on geographic authorization.