Camino Nuevo Charter Academy

Welcome to Camino Nuevo Charter Academy

Camino Nuevo Charter Academy (CNCA) was built through the combined efforts of community groups, dedicated educators, and parents to transform the Greater McArthur Park and Pico Union communities by serving the educational needs of students and dramatically increasing student achievement. CNCA challenges itself on a daily basis to do whatever it takes in order to achieve excellence across the organization. CNCA currently operates six independent public charter schools serving a total of 2,600 students in grades Pre-K through 12.

For over a decade, CNCA has guided thousands of students on their college bound path, lead by CNCA’s core principles of scholarship, respect, access, justice and community. The CNCA motto, “College Ready, College Bound”, is the positive and empowering message communicated in preschool and continued through high school to all CNCA students.

Parents have chosen CNCA schools because CNCA uses a “Whole Child Approach” to ensure every child is provided:

Safe and nurturing learning environment

Small class sizes

Extended school year

Rigorous, comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum

College preparatory academic program

Enriching arts programs (Music, Dance, Art, Drama)

After school program

Targeted ongoing intervention program

Bilingual program (support language development for both English only and native Spanish speakers)

Effective services for English Language Learners and students with special needs

Additionally, teachers, staff and parents are uniquely supported to ensure their success in achieving our collective mission of supporting all students and transforming the community. CNCA promotes significant teacher collaboration and has established a professional learning community across the organization. Parents are highly regarded partners as evidenced by the CNCA Parents as Partners program, where parents participate in various workshops including how to support their child’s access and success in college. Parents are also involved in school site-based councils and weekly trainings.

CNCA is continually improving and expanding its services. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about the amazing work taking place across the CNCA organization. We hope you will be inspired to join us in changing the lives of students and transforming the community.

Thank you for your interest and support of CNCA.

Sincerely,

Ana F. Ponce

Chief Executive Officer

Our Newest School: Sandra Cisneros Learning Academy in Echo Park

Camino Nuevo operates the Sandra Cisneros Learning Academy

This school year, CNCA was proud to open Sandra Cisneros Learning Academy (SCLA) in Echo Park. CNCA was selected to operate the new school through the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Public School Choice (PSC) process.

SCLA officially celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, September 22, 2011. Acclaimed novelist Sandra Cisneros attended to celebrate the opening of the school named after her. Ms. Cisneros visited several classrooms during a tour of the campus, and also autographed books for the entire 6^th grade class, all of whom are currently reading The House on Mango Street. LAUSD Board Member Bennett Kayser emceed the celebration, and Julia Perez, an SCLA parent, and students Julian Lopez (2^nd grader) and Lailani Ramirez (7^th grader) all expressed their appreciation and gratitude for having SCLA as their new school. LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy also commended Camino Nuevo' s developmental bilingual program:"[At] helping students learn to read and write in more than one language, and be proficient. You are the top of the game!" Also in attendance were LAUSD Board President Monica Garcia, Board Member Steve Zimmer, and former LAUSD Board Members Yolie Flores and David Tokofsky.

Learn more about SCLA by visiting the school's website.

Getting to Know Charter Schools

All CNCA schools are independent public schools. CNCA understands that many families may have questions about charter schools. CNCA provides the following information to support families in making informed educational decisions for their child.

The California Legislature enacted the Charter Schools Act in 1992 to promote educational choice and instructional innovation. Charter schools are public and tuition-free for all students. Charter school must admit all students (including students with special needs and English Language Learners) who apply – if there is excess demand for the number of seats available, the charter school must conduct a random public lottery to determine who will be enrolled. Like traditional district schools, charter schools are required to hire credentialed teachers. More than 30% of charter schools in California, including all CNCA schools, operate under a collective bargaining agreement negotiated with the teachers’ union. The majority of funding for charter schools comes from the state and federal government, just like most traditional district schools. Charter schools are held to a higher level of accountability to ensure that they are meeting student goals.

For more information on charter schools, please feel free to visit the California Charter Schools Association or the California Department of Education.