Citizens of the World Charter Los Angeles (CWC LA) schools are a collection of exceptionally effective public charter schools that focus on community. Their purpose is to help children discover their potential by growing their skills, developing their self-esteem, and becoming responsible citizens who will have a positive impact on their communities and the global community. All schools have an academically challenging and experiential educational environment that combines rigorous standards with hands-on project-based learning experiences that promote intellectual development as well as social/emotional development.

CWC LA helps students achieve academic excellence and develop the empathy, cultural competence, and leadership qualities necessary to succeed in a multicultural society. This connection allows schools to share best practices, cooperate on teaching strategies and maintain alignment with a learning model while still responding to the unique needs and character of the neighborhoods they serve. The network emphasizes diversity by design ensuring that students from different socioeconomic, cultural and racial backgrounds learn together in inclusive, supportive communities.

Educational Approaches by Citizens of the World Los Angeles

Learning Model

The schools employ a learning model designed to prepare students for success in an interconnected society. At the heart of this model is the commitment to providing an academic experience while cultivating skills such as empathy, cultural competence and adaptability and courage. The school enables a socioeconomically, racially and culturally diverse community allowing students to learn with and from one another in hands on project-based environment.

The school emphasizes the importance of nurturing the whole child, ensuring that students not only achieve academic excellence but also develop the social and emotional skills necessary to thrive as responsible and engaged citizens. The school measures achievement through standard assessments including Smarter Balanced Assessments and ranks in the top within the LA Unified School District. The school adds Social Emotional Development into every aspect of the school day enabling students to understand their own emotions and manage behavior and cultivate positive relationships.

The school prioritizes diversity and inclusion creating a culture where every student, parent and staff member can participate in meaningful learning experiences. The results of this holistic approach are evident in student performance: CWC LA students outperform district and state averages in both English and math, while also engaging fully in arts, social-emotional programming, and inclusive curricula. The school ensures that middle schoolers receive individualized high school counseling and provides a continuous pathway for students to remain engaged through the middle grades.

Core Academics

The core program at Citizens of the World Los Angeles is grounded in research based educational theories and evidence based practices emphasizing both academic achievement and development. The syllabus is designed to enable life long learners who are self motivated, competent and prepared to contribute meaningfully to a varied society. Teachers implement a variety of instructional strategies including constructive approaches, project based learning, inquiry driven projects and small group instruction to ensure that lessons are engaging strong and responsive to individual student needs.

Academic instruction is aligned with national and state standards and directs to multiple disciplines including English Language Arts, mathematics, science and social studies. The school inputs special enrichment programs and student clubs to support varied interests and encourage the development of leadership, creativity and partnership. A cornerstone of the school’s academic philosophy is the inclusion of all learners including students with Individualized Education Plans or 504 Plans. CWC LA maintains a commitment to providing a full spectrum of educational support ensuring that students with physical, emotional, learning or developmental differences receive instruction in the least restrictive environment consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act and state regulations. The school enables partnering among parents, teachers and external agencies to tailor support to each student’s unique needs.

Social Emotional Learning

Social Emotional Learning at Citizens of the World Los Angeles is a central component of the school’s educational approach supporting the growth of the whole child by teaching students to understand and manage emotions, form positive relationships and make responsible decisions. Embedded in the three strands of the CWC LA Learning Model, SEL complements academic instruction and civic engagement to enhance rounded development. Students engage in SEL through steady instruction in areas such as self awareness, self management, social awareness and responsible relationship decision making which helps them develop confidence, empathy and resilience.

The school employs the CWC SKILLs framework that promotes a shared language of norms and core values highlighting qualities such as safety, kindness, inclusivity, curiosity and leadership. SEL is reinforced across multiple settings including dedicated weekly SEL blocks, daily morning meetings and all school assemblies focused on cultural and emotional learning.

Staff receives development and a region wide framework to guide consistent implementation aligning school wide SEL goals with local themes and priorities. By inputting social emotional growth into every aspect of the school experience, the school prepares students to be thoughtful, empathetic and resilient individuals who can successfully navigate different environments and contribute positively to their communities.

Melissa Kaplan | Executive Director

Melissa Kaplan is the Executive Director of Citizens of the World Los Angeles. Melissa Kaplan leads with energy and a clear focus on expanding opportunities for all students. She became Executive Director in 2023 and brings over 20 years of experience in education particularly within charter school networks in Los Angeles. Melissa’s work centers on closing educational opportunity gaps and building inclusive school cultures that support teachers and students alike.

“Citizens of the World Los Angeles operate under a results-driven learning model while honoring the unique character of the neighborhoods and communities they serve.”