About Us

 Who We Are

YouthBuild Charter School of California is a unique charter school model providing young adults at YouthBuild programs with an authentic alternative to traditional school environments. Launched with support from YouthBuild USA in 2008, YCSC provides a project-based high school curriculum that relies on authentic assessment to fulfill credits toward a high school diploma. Young people, ages 16-24, enroll at YCSC after having dropped out, aged out or failed out of traditional schools. Here they find an education that is more relevant to their goals, talents and daily lives.

Unlike traditional schools that employ standardized curriculum and classroom practices which can often disempower and alienate marginalized students, YCSC’s project-based approach allows young adults to take ownership of their education. It offers them the means to pursue meaningful academic and professional success and gain the skills necessary to realize their personal dreams and goals. In order to reach our goals for effective, relevant education, we hire only highly-qualified teachers who come from some of the country’s most progressive educational colleges and universities.

 Our Mission

The mission of the YouthBuild Charter School of California is to cultivate collaborative learning communities in which every student has the right to an authentic education, plays a meaningful role in creating positive social change, and becomes an active participant in working towards just conditions for all.

Our Vision

Our vision is that all young people, regardless of their circumstances, have access to an education that will prepare them to counter social inequities and realize their full potential. Our school empowers young people to transform themselves and become leaders in their communities. Our school is a haven of trust and respect, where students can prepare for success in careers, post-secondary education, and life.

Our Core Values 

1. Philosophy of Education - YCSC students have the right to an authentic education that will prepare them to counter social inequities and become leaders in their communities.
2. Project-Based Approach - YCSC students have the right to be creators of new knowledge in an engaging and contextualized project-based curriculum.
3. Post-secondary Opportunities - YCSC students have the right to pursue meaningful post-secondary opportunities in their areas of interest with support from staff.
4. Leadership Development - YCSC students have the right to take their place as socially responsible leaders who reflectively collaborate with all community members and participate in service activities where they live.
5. Caring Teachers - YCSC students have the right to highly-qualified teachers who always express a sincere interest in their lives and who support their goals.
6. Alternative Approach to Discipline - YCSC students have the right to be active participants in restorative justice in which adults and youth work together to bring about positive changes in the YCSC community of learners.
7. Commitment to Social Change - YCSC students have the right to play meaningful roles in creating positive social change.

Contact Us:
YouthBuild Charter School of California
155 W. Washington Blvd. Suite #517
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-741-2600
http://youthbuildcharter.org