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Expanding educational opportunities for students in under-resourced communities

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California

Exploring Educational Excellence: A Tour of CWC LA Charter Schools

March 25, 2024 by PCSD

PCSD had an exciting opportunity to tour one of our charter school partners in Los Angeles alongside many of our CDFI lending partners. Our itinerary included stops at three campuses of Citizens of the World Los Angeles (CWC LA): CWC West Valley, CWC Mar Vista, and CWC Silver Lake Middle School.

The tour was an immersive experience delving into the heart of the CWC LA model. Each visit provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the educational ecosystem found within these campuses. From state-of-the-art facilities to innovative teaching methodologies, we witnessed firsthand the dedication to excellence that defines the CWC approach.

Our time at each school was enriched by engaging presentations and enlightening conversations with school principals and students alike. We had the privilege of hearing directly from the individuals who shape and benefit from the educational environment fostered by CWC LA.

However, it was the moments spent listening to the students articulate their personal experiences with CWC that truly resonated with us. Their impassioned testimonials painted a vivid picture of the profound impact that CWC has had on their lives. From fostering a sense of belonging to igniting a passion for learning, it was evident that CWC represents far more than just an educational institution—it’s a community where students thrive and dreams take flight.

As advocates for educational equity and opportunity, our partnership with CWC LA reaffirms our commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and empowering students in under-resourced communities. The insights gained from this tour will undoubtedly inform our ongoing efforts to support and uplift the next generation of leaders.

Our tour of CWC LA charter schools was not just a journey through hallways and classrooms; it was a profound exploration of educational excellence and the transformative power of inclusive education. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to CWC LA for opening their doors to us and their lending partners and for the invaluable work they do every day to inspire and empower students. Together, we will continue to strive towards a future where every child has access to quality education and the opportunity to reach their full potential.

CWC West Valley
CWC West Valley
CWC West Valley
CWC Mar Vista
CWC Mar Vista
CWC Silver Lake Middle School

Filed Under: Blog, California

PCSD presents at CCSA Conference 2024

February 28, 2024 by PCSD

PCSD is participating in two sessions at the CCSA Conference in Long Beach.

EDUCATION SESSIONS

Facilities: Finding the Right Place, and Building the Right Space
March 19, 2024 | 11:15 am – 12:30 pm

Long Beach Convention Center, Room 202A

This lively, interactive session will prepare school leaders to effectively navigate the requirements encountered on the road to finding, securing and developing school facilities. Zoning, permitting, and occupancy requirements, environmental regulations, and design choices and constraints impact the development process. Learn about existing regulations, recent developments, and statewide trends as you build your facilities strategy. We will consider stick-built vs. modular, cost-saving design features, pandemic considerations when selecting a site, PLAs, CUPs, and more. This panel is ideal for those looking for next-level content.

Presenters:

  • Mary Grace Houlihan, Project Director, Northern California, Pacific Charter School Development (Moderator)
  • John Lemmo, Partner/Attorney, Young, Minney & Corr, LLP
  • Patrick Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities, Magnolia Public Schools
  • Richard Berliner, Principal, Berliner Architects

District/Charter Leases – Can’t We All Just Get Along?
March 19, 2024 | 3:25 pm – 4:40 pm

Long Beach Convention Center, Room 202B

Understand what to consider when negotiating a long-term ground lease with your local school district. How do I bring the school district to the table and get the best terms? What do I need to include in the lease to build what I need, finance the project, and meet all legal requirements? What should I avoid? Hear from veterans about KIPP, Envision, and Ed for Change projects among others. Join us for a lively discussion and find out!

Presenters:

  • Jennifer Afdahl Rice, Executive Director, Northern California, Pacific Charter School Development
  • Adam Kaye, Director Real Estate, KIPP Public Schools Northern California
  • Monique Daviss, Executive Director, El Sol Science and Arts Academy
  • Sele Nadel-Hayes, Chief Operating Officer, Envision Schools

Filed Under: Blog, California

Palace Theater Makeover: BayTech Charter School’s Exciting Transformation Project

February 23, 2024 by PCSD

Demolition has officially kicked off at the future home of Bay Area Technology School (BayTech) in the vibrant Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland!

BayTech, a public charter school dedicated to serving grades 6-12, is gearing up for a monumental leap forward as it embarks on the journey to establish its permanent campus.

With roots tracing back to 2004, BayTech has been on a mission to provide quality education to the Oakland community. Currently serving 339 students, the school has faced the challenges of multiple locations over the years. But now, the tide is turning as BayTech takes a major step towards stability and growth.

The project site, once home to the historic Palace Theater, boasts a rich history dating back to the 1920s. From vaudeville acts to movie screenings and even serving as a church space, the Palace Theater has seen it all. Now, it’s undergoing a remarkable transformation into a state-of-the-art educational facility!

To learn more about the purchase of this historic building, check out this article from The Mercury News (March 15, 2023): Historic Oakland theater and church will become tech charter school

Filed Under: Blog, California

Finance Team Tours Northern California Sites

January 30, 2024 by PCSD

The PCSD Finance team met up with our Northern California team for a comprehensive tour of in progress charter school facility projects. They started the day at Navigator Schools Gilroy Prep which is set to expand capacity to support TK students. They then proceeded to Voices College-Bound Language Academies in Morgan Hill where groundwork has been laid to support modular buildings. The new campus is scheduled to open for the 2024-2025 school year. They visited Navigator Schools Hayward Collegiate which will be adding TK students. The day concluded at Bay Area Technology School (BayTech Charter School), where construction is underway for a new school at The Palace Theater in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood

Navigator Gilroy Prep
Voices Morgan Hill
Navigator Hayward Collegiate
BayTech Charter School

 

Filed Under: Blog, California

Leadership Public School (LPS) Visit

November 14, 2023 by PCSD

Who did you meet with today?

Today I had the opportunity to meet Nick Robinette and Dave Thalman from Clark Sullivan, Sandra Lee from Lionakis, Anna Olsen from PCSD, and Christopher Harrell, Brent Daniels, and Chanthip Phongkhamsavath from Leadership Public Schools (LPS).

Where do they work? 

In general, they all work for different firms but are working to construct a new structure for Leadership Public Schools (LPS). Currently, they are building an extra space to create more learning space for students in LPS; PCSD has managed the project to provide LPS the opportunity to build this space. Furthermore, I was able to see how much help they all contributed to this. Though Nick is a general contractor at Clark Sullivan, his background in design has helped further the modeling of the building, especially since there is a limited amount of space to work with. Sandra’s background in architecture at Lionakis has contributed a lot with the underground work. All these people have contributed a lot to this project in different ways.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

Today I was able to get to know the background that goes into building a project like the new LPS building; and how the architect and construction team come into play with this. I highlighted a lot of important factors that may be needed so that issues like the code requirements don’t become an issue later on. I learned that there is different software that go into planning a project that ultimately helps these plans become completed.  When determining the time of completion for construction projects, scheduling software is especially helpful because it provides an estimated time using historical data. Among several other highlights, I discovered that when working with projects like building school-related properties electricity is especially important since it is highly necessary to students and staff. Electrical engineers are also a very important factor to managing projects that need a lot of electricity overall.

What insights did you gain? 

Insights into this week’s visit are the small details that a school facility should have to make the facility a lot better for students. I highlighted the mention of sheer walls because compared to other buildings sheer walls are specifically designed to provide structural support and can help keep noise in one area. I also gained a lot of insight that isn’t really talked about when coming into the architect field. Sandra talked about her experience in the field and the process. I like that she mentioned so much about her school process, the test, and what the test/exams consist of and how far she has come and where she is now in being officially licensed.

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today?

By far I would say that getting to know the overall process that goes into constructing was really interesting, but coming back from certain setbacks was also interesting to know because it makes the experience more real, rather than just making it seem like everything is easy. I was also interested to learn how different as well as difficult it can be to construct and plan projects that have schools that are so connected like LPS and Castlemont.

Looking at the computerized plans for the site
Looking at the building being renovated
Looking at the building being renovated
Getting an intro the site

Filed Under: Blog, California Tagged With: architecture, general contractor, internships

Uncovering the World of Real Estate Development: PCSD’s Recent Adventure at Lighthouse Community Public Schools

October 30, 2023 by PCSD

The journey for the right career path is what makes events like job fairs an invaluable resource for students. Recently, Pacific Charter School Development (PCSD) had the privilege of participating in the Lighthouse Community Public Schools job fair, where I was able to present alongside toy designer, Mr. Chip.

The focus of my presentation? Real estate development – a field that offers an incredible array of opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Whether you’re starting at the entry level or aiming for the C-suite, there’s a place for everyone in this dynamic industry. As I was able to highlight, you can choose to work out in the field, in an office setting, or even find a role that combines the two.

High school students, known for their candid and curious nature, were eager to engage with us. Their questions ranged from the practical, “What’s a day in your life like?” to the ever-important, “What’s the salary?” But it was one question that truly resonated – “Is this something you always wanted to do?” I shared my personal journey, revealing that my passion for economic development as a way of supporting the community wasn’t discovered until my junior year in college. This just goes to show that finding your true calling doesn’t always happen overnight, and it’s okay to explore different paths.

PCSD is committed to breaking down the barriers to entry in the world of real estate development, making it accessible to all who are interested in exploring this exciting industry.

Filed Under: Blog, California Tagged With: career fair, real estate

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