EXECUTIVE MESSAGE

Many high schools give lip service to preparing students for success in college and life, but large numbers of California high school students never graduate. In L.A., less than 2/3 of seniors graduate, and even if they do, fewer than 50% have completed the coursework necessary to go to state colleges.

ECHS stands out by consistently showing remarkable results. Last year, 83% of its seniors graduated; this year’s target is 90%. Though a large majority of our students come from families where no one has gone to college, 10% of ECHS graduates were accepted by UCLA, with others accepted at prestigious private schools, including Wesleyan, Bryn Mawr, Dickinson, Bates, and Kalamazoo. Acceptance into a 4-year college is now a requirement for graduation.

How does ECHS accomplish these impressive results? It does so through a relentless commitment to excellence and continual growth. College preparation starts on the first day, in the first class. ECHS tracks a broad range of test scores and other success indicators for each student and tailors individualized assistance for those who need it. Its environmentally based learning model and programs such as Green Ambassadors have won numerous awards and grants. Realizing that educational success depends primarily on the quality of the teachers, ECHS seeks out and attracts the best and brightest and gives them an opportunity to make a difference in the school and in the lives of its students.

As ECHS completes its tenth year, plans are being finalized to open a new middle school and a teacher-training institute to distribute its unique Green Curriculum to other schools nationwide.

Please join me in supporting the amazing educational model that is ECHS with your in-kind or financial help!

Ken Deemer is on ECHS’ Board of Directors. He is a founding partner and Chairman of Los Angeles Social Venture Partners.

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Science Grant From Ahmanson Foundation To Boost ECHS College Prep

A $100,000 grant from the Ahmanson Foundation will be used to build new classroom lab spaces and an innovative indoor-outdoor learning area on campus, allowing more lab-based science instruction.

ECHS will install large lab/project stations in its science classrooms with special windows for the best use of natural light. Outside the Biology classroom, asphalt will be replaced by an outdoor learning space that includes aquaculture units, a greenhouse, and compost stations.

While some high schools only require one year of lab science, ECHS requires four. “From physics to chemistry to biology and life sciences, lab instruction is key in preparing our students for higher education and future career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Alison Suffet-Diaz, Founder and Executive Director of Environmental Charter Schools. “We are extremely grateful to the Ahmanson Foundation for this grant. It furthers our goal of expanding our science program and engaging more students in a hands-on, inquiry-based educational model.”

Green Savings Bonus: ECHS estimates that electricity costs from lighting its science classrooms will decrease at least 50% due to the use of natural light, energy-efficient bulbs and fixtures, and light shelves made possible by the grant.

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Saban Grant Connects Students to Colleges

A program designed to help ECHS students successfully enter college is expanding, thanks to a grant from the Saban Family, one of the 50 most generous philanthropists in the United States according to Business Week.

The program includes assistance with academic preparation, financial aid, and exposure to elite colleges and professional careers. It is made possible through ECHS’ partnership with College Match, which helps promising low-income students apply to and be accepted by colleges around the country. The program also gives students who otherwise could not afford it the chance to visit these elite schools.

ECHS' involvement with the College Match Program has secured more than $100,000 in scholarships for 3 seniors and 5 juniors to attend college.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

ECHS Partners With LMU and Heal the Bay to Create College Course

Tapping into the wealth of resources in the community and creating value through collaboration is a hallmark of ECHS' unique approach. ECHS and Loyola Marymount University have teamed up to create a community-based learning course that enables future science teachers to work with environmental educators as they develop high school service learning projects.

An example of how ECHS follows its mission of “inspired learning” to prepare students for success in college, the program encourages LMU and ECHS students to learn through classroom observation, action, and reflection. It also encourages them to increase their own environmental literacy and connection to the community.

Through the project, ECHS students will be exposed to the university environment by having college students teach and mentor them. LMU future teachers will get classroom experience with ECHS serving as their "learning lab." The science curricula created as part of the project will become an online resource available through Heal the Bay, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to making Southern California waters safe, healthy, and clean

GREEN AMBASSADORS

ECHS’ award-winning Green Ambassadors program inspires students to continue their education after high school.

Through service learning, it creates opportunities for youth to build leadership skills and address critical environmental issues facing our planet.

Via the program students quickly realize they are able to take action to improve their environment. Once inspired, their learning becomes more relevant, sparking their desire to go on to college.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT 

Beth Katz

Job: Environmental Science Teacher, 9th Grade Team Leader. 4 years at ECHS.

Educational Background: B.A. in Environmental Science, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Columbia University. M.A. in Secondary Education, Loyola Marymount University.

Awards: 2006 Alumni Achievement Award from Columbia University. Earthwatch Institute Bing Educator Fellowship. Teach for America AMGEN Math/Science Fellowship.

Before ECHS: Beth came to ECHS as a member of Teach for America, a nationwide organization that recruits promising teachers and trains them through work in disadvantages communities.

On ECHS:  Her experiences on Outdoor Learning trips, such as ECHS’ 9th Grade Catalina trip are memorable. “But my most rewarding experience," says Katz, "has been reading the reflections my students write about their own learning. It is moving to hear, in their own words, how they have grown and what has inspired them to make more sustainable choices in their own lives."

When School's Out: Katz was a cheerleader in college and still occasionally practices gymnastics. Her adventures abroad include trips to Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica, Mexico, England, Israel, and Australia. At home, she spends most of her free time enjoying the beach and encouraging her friends and family to make sustainable lifestyle choices.

INSPIRED STUDENTS: GRAD PROFILE

Christina Dennis, Loyola Marymount University Student

Christina Dennis, ECHS class of 2008, credits her educational experience at ECHS with inspiring her to pursue higher education and for her success at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). A sophomore at LMU, Dennis is considering History and Women’s Studies for her major.

“The coursework and curriculum at ECHS was rigorous, and we had lots of help at the school, such as tutoring and programs helping us prep for the PSAT and SAT. There were lots of resources like AVID, and Senior Seminars,” says Dennis.

Dennis excelled at ECHS, earning the Sportsmanship Award playing on the basketball team, and graduating as the Class Salutatorian and President of the Senior Class. The Senior Thesis really helped her transition from high school to college. “The Senior Thesis made each of us choose a topic we were interested in investigating. Our research included both library and fieldwork. We then presented it in front of the entire school,” she remembers. “It was a big project culminating all our work at ECHS.”

“On top of academic achievement, ECHS focused on developing the student as whole person. So I feel like I wouldn't be the kind of person I've become had it not been for the positive influence of ECHS,” says Dennis. Today, the ECHS influence still helps Christina at LMU. She is part of a multicultural dance team and is working for service organizations as she pursues her studies.

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ECHS Re-Launches Website www.echsonline.org!

Check out the new look of echsonline.org for all the latest news and information on ECHS. The website has been redesigned to better serve students, staff, and partners of ECHS, with news, calendar, and multimedia information.

New features include a College section with SAT and college prep information for parents and students. An Alumni section and blog will support plans to develop an alumni association to maintain bonds formed at ECHS, so that graduates can continue to support the school, each other, and the community.

“ECHS will celebrate its 10th year of serving students this fall,” says Alison Suffet-Diaz, Executive Director and founder of ECHS. “Echsonline.org’s new look and functionality is designed to reflect the school’s vision to become truly Green and a beacon for inspired learning."

ECHS 'Green Philosophy' Featured in Local News

ECHS students turned the tables and became teachers to the community recently as they opened the Lawndale campus to present their Intersession projects in a Community Forum. A recent article in The Daily Breeze newspaper highlighted the event and how ECHS prepares students for college and higher education.

The month-long academic program, Intersession, challenges students to work in groups conducting field research while studying community planning and environmental justice issues. They are encouraged to develop their own ideas and positions on real-world issues using material taught in the classroom.

The infusion of a progressive “green” philosophy with traditional academic subjects is a 'best practice' of ECHS and a reason why the curriculum is so successful in motivating students to prepare for 4-year colleges and universities.

“Students will tell you it’s more meaningful when it is all connected,” explains Alison Suffet-Diaz, school founder and executive director of Environmental Charter Schools. The community agrees: ECHS was honored with a $10,000 donation from Chevron towards its academic programs in a ceremony held on campus.

Environmental Charter Middle School: Enrollment for Fall 2010 Now Open!

Environmental Charter Middle School (ECMS) is slated to open in Gardena and extend our award-winning educational approach to a new community of younger students.

Hurry! ECMS is now accepting applications for 6th grade. Applications received by March 26th have the best chance of receiving an enrollment offer.

ECMS will hold Informational Meetings in the next few weeks (click here for schedule). Learn more about ECMS and our progress towards opening the school. For more information email Principal Kami Cotler here or call 310-214-3400.

ECHS students and teachers are participating in these upcoming events...

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