Los Angeles

Welcome to the Los Angeles Region at Aspire Public Schools! Our region has 11 high-performing schools serving over 4,000 students in the South Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and South Gate communities. We have eight elementary schools and three secondary schools.

Within Los Angeles, we strive to imbue our work with the “Super Seven” qualities: Inspire, Innovate, Grapple, Discover, Thrive, Create and Love. Our schools are focused on equity and meeting the needs of all scholars in a variety of different ways. We have rich academic curriculum, strong connections to technology through our Blended Learning Programs, and an emphasis on educating the whole child through our Social Emotional Learning Programs.

For Title IX & UCP, please contact Dr. Alejandra Velez, Regional Director of Student Services, at 323-837-9920.

For Special Education inquiries, please contact Ana Escalante, Regional Director of Special Education, at 323- 538-2550.

Homeless (McKinney Vento) and Foster Youth Resources
Education Rights of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (Ed Rights Brochure, SPANISH)
LACOE Resources

Contact Aspire’s liaison, Dr. Alejandra Velez, Regional Director of Student Services for additional resources at alejandra.velez@aspirepublicschools.org; 323-897-9920.

Aspire Los Angeles Regional Office
5901 E. Slauson Avenue
Commerce, CA 90040
(323) 837-9920

2021-22 Key Dates for Aspire Los Angeles Region

First Day of School: August 16, 2021
Labor Day: September 6, 2021
Fall Break: October 4-8, 2021
Veterans Day: November 11, 2021
Thanksgiving Break: November 22-26, 2021
Winter Break: December 20, 2021-January 10, 2022
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 17, 2022
Presidents’ Day: February 21, 2022
Spring Break: April 11-15, 2022
Memorial Day: May 30, 2022
Last Day of School: June 17, 2022

Additionally, in order to encourage and support stakeholder involvement, each school’s website contains the following information in both Spanish and English:

Timely notices of board meetings and other school committee meetings that involve parents.
Meetings held/interpreted in Spanish and English.
Opportunities to share thoughts and opinions through email and ParentSquare, the interactive parent communication platform used by the school.
Short summaries of issues, ideas, and decisions of school committees.
At least two opportunities for parents to give detailed input on the Local Control Accountability Plan.

Parents are welcome and encouraged to volunteer at our school, however, parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school.

Los Angeles Leadership Team

Christopher Carr

Interim Superintendent, Aspire LA Region Email Christopher Phone Christopher View Bio

Hector Hernandez

Associate Regional IT Director Email Hector Phone Hector View Bio

Blanca Martinez

Regional Director of School Performance, Management and Operations Email Blanca Phone Blanca View Bio

Alejandra Velez

Regional Director of Student Services Email Alejandra View Bio

Kelly Muchnick

Los Angeles Regional Human Resources Manager Email Kelly View Bio

Ana Escalante

Regional Director of Special Education Email Ana View Bio

Jennifer Camiro

Special Project Manager Email Jennifer View Bio

Marcie Jones

Director of Teacher Residency Email Marcie View Bio

Ronnie Ernandes

Regional Director of Mathematics Email Ronnie View Bio

Daisy Hernandez

Administrative Assistant Email Daisy View Bio

Superintendent’s Message

We are proud to be part of Aspire Public Schools which operates 36 college-preparatory public charter schools serving over 15,300 students in underserved communities across California. From Aspire’s early beginnings in 1998, when Founder Don Shalvey said, “Something needs to change, and we can change it,” Aspire has been on a path to change the odds for low-income students by delivering a rigorous COLLEGE FOR CERTAIN education to students in grades TK-12.

There are eleven Aspire schools in LA, and our mission is to provide ALL students with an exceptional education that allows them to excel inside and outside the classroom by offering a rigorous core curriculum, outstanding leaders and staff, high standards and expectations, extended instructional hours, and personalized learning opportunities. EVERY DAY we seek to fulfill our promise that each child receives a high-quality education to prepare them for success in college, career, and life.

Guided by hope and optimism, The LA Aspire staffs work closely with parents as teammates for student success. Our goal for 2021-2022 is as follows: The Aspire LA schools will be high achieving and successful schools by putting students first and foremost AND by creating learning environments focused on respect, joy, equity, teamwork, and a growth mindset. Come visit us any time. My door is always open!

With admiration and respect,

Stefan Bean, Area Superintendent of Aspire Los Angeles

Demographics

LA Students

4,510+

Post-Secondary Matriculation Rate (Class of '19)

72%

# College Courses Passed Prior to HS Graduation (Class of '17)

3,279

LA Teammates

550+

Los Angeles Schools

South Gate, CA

Aspire Firestone Academy

South Gate, CA

TK-5

Aspire Gateway Academy

South Gate, CA

TK-5

Key Goals + Initiatives

CREATE safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environments where students attend and are connected to their schools.
REFINE and EXPAND targeted intervention and supports for students’ academic, health, and social emotional development.
ENGAGE parents and community partners through education, communication, and collaboration to promote student success.
EXECUTE high quality, continuously improving instructional programs and college readiness focus; provide appropriate educational options to ensure that every student graduates college ready.
SUPPORT regional leaders through professional development, coaching, and supervision.
ENSURE compliance with all local, state, and federal legal and Ed Code requirements.

Los Angeles