News & Announcements

I am filled with anticipation for the future of Value Schools. It is with both a sense of nostalgia and excitement that I write to inform you of a transition in leadership. At the June 9, 2023 Value Schools Board meeting, I officially stepped down from my position as Board Chair, entrusting the responsibility to our Vice-Chair, Vincent Gonzales. I have every confidence in Vince's ability to lead our community forward and continue our journey towards excellence.

We are excited to announce a remarkable milestone by Tom Levee, a dedicated member of the Value Schools Foundation Board. Tom has successfully completed nearly one-third of the challenging 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail (CDT) by crossing into Colorado. This remarkable accomplishment showcases his courage, character, and unwavering support for scholarship funds and 529 education investment accounts for the students and families at Value Schools.

For over ten years, Grant Cambridge, Value Schools Board Chair and Value Schools Foundation Chair, has offered the Back East Scholars Trip (BEST) to our high school students. As a Harvard Business School graduate, Grant wanted to provide our students access to universities on the East Coast and expand their educational possibilities.

Career Exploration… the Value Schools Way! Recently, we continued our Career Exploration Series as students from our high schools spent the day with the co-founders and owners of Five Crown Homes, Christine Conomikes and Gina Doyle.

Tom Levee is a name that is synonymous with adventure, perseverance, and generosity. The Value Schools Foundation Board member completed the Pacific Crest Trail in 2021, and now is taking on the Continental Divide Trail – with a purpose of supporting Value Schools.

On March 29th, Value Schools students and alumni visited the Huntington Library in San Marino to celebrate Women’s History Month. R. Isabela Morales, the 2023 Shapiro Book Award recipient for Happy Dreams of Liberty: An American Family in Slavery and Freedom, was the center of attention. Ms. Morales gave a glimpse of the book's narrative, and answered questions from the audience.

Earlier this month, the students from University Prep and Central City had a memorable day of conversation and reflection thanks to Peter Kaufman, Glenair CEO. They were given the opportunity to meet Datone Jones, a former Green Bay Packer and UCLA graduate, who shared his life journey from South Los Angeles to college and the NFL.

Providing our students with access to exciting, inspiring, interactive experiences and inviting our friends and students to participate is one of our fun challenges for our Value Schools Foundation Board in 2023.

Our second guiding value reminds us that every student should be provided the tools to develop to her or his fullest potential. Each and every day students at Value Schools are given opportunities to do just that.

Come join the Downtown Value School ELAC Meeting this Thursday, January 12th at 9:30am (directly after Coffee with the Principal). We will be reading and approving the English Language Learner Master Plan. Our ELAC Members will be voting on the ELL Master Plan but all are welcome to attend.