Blueprint partners with ExED to provide facilities supports to Eaton Fire affected charter schools

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Rebuilding Safe Schools After the Eaton Fires

by

When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena and Pasadena in January 2025, four public charter school campuses were devastated, disrupting learning for more than 1,300 students and families. Many of these families were already navigating economic hardship, and the loss of school facilities created an urgent need for stability. For these communities, schools are more than buildings; they are essential anchors of support and connection.

We are deeply grateful to our longtime partner ExED, with support from the Walton Family Foundation, for their grant supporting Blueprint’s Rebuilding Safe Schools After Eaton Fires initiative. This investment allows us to support fire-impacted charter schools as they work toward safe, stable, and permanent learning environments.

The schools supported through this initiative are:

  • Alma Fuerte Public School
  • Aveson Schools
  • Pasadena Rosebud Academy

Why This Support Matters

The fires intensified long-standing challenges in Los Angeles County’s charter school facilities landscape. High costs, limited options, and complex public funding processes make it extremely difficult for charter schools to secure permanent facilities without expert support.

Families lost homes. Students lost classrooms. Without coordinated assistance, the risk of long-term displacement for these schools was real.

How the Grant Supports Schools

This grant enables Blueprint to provide hands-on, practical support using our proven facilities development model, starting with funding navigation.

First and foremost, the grant funds consultants to support each school’s Proposition 2 application, along with guidance from Blueprint on other state facilities funding opportunities, including the Charter School Facilities Incentive Grant (CSFIG). These processes are complex and time-intensive. Blueprint’s team and consultants act as an extension of school leadership, managing technical details so school leaders can stay focused on their students.

In parallel, Blueprint supports schools in evaluating facility options—whether through leasing, acquisition, or shared-use arrangements—and coordinates pro bono architectural support to reduce early planning costs and accelerate decision-making.

Impact and What’s Next

In the short-term, the schools will:

  • Begin the process toward permanent facility funding and/or secure long-term space
  • Restore access to safe, stable learning environments for 1,345 students
  • Benefit from early architectural and planning support at no cost

Longer-term, this work will lead to permanent school homes.

This project is about more than rebuilding facilities. It’s about restoring stability, continuity, and confidence for students, families, and communities.

With Gratitude

This work would not be possible without partners who understand that recovery means investing in people and communities, not just buildings. We are honored to partner with ExED along with the Walton Family Foundation for their continued commitment to equitable, long-term solutions for students and schools.

Photo: Aveson Schools

A grassy field leads to a school building with students playing safely on the playground and walking near the entrance, reflecting Safe Schools initiatives. Trees and mountains are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Rebuilding Safe Schools After the Eaton Fires

January 15, 2026

By Blueprint Staff

When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena and Pasadena in January 2025, four public charter school campuses were devastated, disrupting learning for more than 1,300 students and families. Many of these families were already navigating economic hardship, and the loss of school facilities created an urgent need for stability. For these communities, schools are more than buildings; they are essential anchors of support and connection.

We are deeply grateful to our longtime partner ExED, with support from the Walton Family Foundation, for their grant supporting Blueprint’s Rebuilding Safe Schools After Eaton Fires initiative. This investment allows us to support fire-impacted charter schools as they work toward safe, stable, and permanent learning environments.

The schools supported through this initiative are:

  • Alma Fuerte Public School
  • Aveson Schools
  • Pasadena Rosebud Academy

Why This Support Matters

The fires intensified long-standing challenges in Los Angeles County’s charter school facilities landscape. High costs, limited options, and complex public funding processes make it extremely difficult for charter schools to secure permanent facilities without expert support.

Families lost homes. Students lost classrooms. Without coordinated assistance, the risk of long-term displacement for these schools was real.

How the Grant Supports Schools

This grant enables Blueprint to provide hands-on, practical support using our proven facilities development model, starting with funding navigation.

First and foremost, the grant funds consultants to support each school’s Proposition 2 application, along with guidance from Blueprint on other state facilities funding opportunities, including the Charter School Facilities Incentive Grant (CSFIG). These processes are complex and time-intensive. Blueprint’s team and consultants act as an extension of school leadership, managing technical details so school leaders can stay focused on their students.

In parallel, Blueprint supports schools in evaluating facility options—whether through leasing, acquisition, or shared-use arrangements—and coordinates pro bono architectural support to reduce early planning costs and accelerate decision-making.

Impact and What’s Next

In the short-term, the schools will:

  • Begin the process toward permanent facility funding and/or secure long-term space
  • Restore access to safe, stable learning environments for 1,345 students
  • Benefit from early architectural and planning support at no cost

Longer-term, this work will lead to permanent school homes.

This project is about more than rebuilding facilities. It’s about restoring stability, continuity, and confidence for students, families, and communities.

With Gratitude

This work would not be possible without partners who understand that recovery means investing in people and communities, not just buildings. We are honored to partner with ExED along with the Walton Family Foundation for their continued commitment to equitable, long-term solutions for students and schools.

Photo: Aveson Schools

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