A growing body of research from education scholars shows that an Ethnic Studies pedagogy taught at the K-12 level exposes students to an empowering and academically rigorous curriculum. This curriculum has proven to have positive academic and social benefits to students of all races and ethnicities.
Ethnic Studies incorporates culturally relevant, social justice, community responsive and other pedagogical approaches with a focus on literacy and critical thinking skills. Ethnic Studies has a 50 year history in the United States with high school students in East LA demanding Mexican-American studies in their schools in 1968 and college students in that same year creating the first college Ethnic Studies programs at San Francisco State University.
Click here to learn more about our Ethnics Studies Programming.
Expanded Learning Opportunities
Our Expanded Learning program, Creando Caminos, brings to life our mission of creating literate, critical thinkers, and independent problem solvers who are agents of social justice with sensitivity toward the world around them. We focus on two specific areas: academic intervention to support students in achieving academic excellence and enrichment programs and activities that give students access to content and experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. In our programs, students grapple with rigorous academic content, play sports, take field trips, build robots, experience nature, cook nutrient rich meals, grow fruits and vegetables, play musical instruments, and so much more. Creando Caminos brings joy and challenge to our students every day.
Summer Programming at Camino Nuevo: A Summer of Joyful Learning for TK-7th Grade Students
Summer @ CNCA is a FREE and in-person summer program (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during June and July) at our Burlington, Kayne Siart, Castellanos, and Cisneros campuses. Our summer program is for new or current CNCA students who are in TK-7th Grade.
In partnership with Teach for America and Woodcraft Rangers, Summer @ CNCA includes:
- Exceptional Academic Support
- Enriching Arts
- Athletics
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Student Leadership Opportunities
- Snacks and Meals
- Enrichment Field Trips
YOLA at Camino Nuevo
Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) at Camino Nuevo is designed to increase equitable access to high-quality music education by giving students the tools, instruction, and opportunities they need to thrive. The program supports students’ cognitive, social-emotional, and personal growth while preparing them for long-term success in music and beyond.
Formed in October 2018 in partnership with the LA Philharmonic, YOLA at Camino Nuevo is YOLA’s fourth site and the only one that offers both intensive in-school and after-school instruction. The program is rooted in El Sistema, the model that shaped LA Philharmonic Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, and provides free, comprehensive music education to CNCA students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade.
“In an orchestra, musicians learn to make beautiful music and everything that goes with that including study and discipline—but within the context of the entire orchestra. None of us make music by ourselves. The orchestra is a perfect metaphor for the community.”
– Gustavo Dudamel
Scholarships
Since our first cohort, the Class of 2008, our scholarship program provides CNCA students with funds to help them pay for college costs. Our scholarships help reduce financial barriers that prevent our students from persisting in college and earning their degree.
About CNCA Scholarships
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CNCA Scholarships are renewable for 4 years given that recent CNCA high school graduates meet the GPA and enrollment requirements. Last year, we issued over $310,000 in scholarships.
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Annually, we award 30 to 40 new scholarships to graduating seniors.
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Scholarships are awarded by the Scholarship Committee and Camino Nuevo Charter Academy's dedicated College Success Team.
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The College Success Team stays in contact with Scholarship recipients to answer questions, provide guidance, help with Scholarship renewals, and support them as they persist through college to graduation.
Our Scholarships
NOMA Scholarship - $4,000 a year for students pursuing humanities majors
AMA Scholarship - $4,000 a year to high performing students with any major. This program partners with Ready to Succeed to support alumni with career exploration and career transition support
Principal Scholarship - $2,000 a year to students pursuing STEM
PND Scholarship - $2,000 a year for students pursuing any major
Vocational Scholarship - $1,500 a year (2-year award) for students pursuing career or vocational programs
How to Apply
Students at our Camino Nuevo Charter Academy Dalzell Lance High School are eligible to apply to CNCA scholarships during their senior year. Students interested in applying should connect to the College Center and ask for the College Success Team to learn about eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
