Original Research by School Decision on Da Vinci Design
Da Vinci Design is a charter high school serving grades nine through twelve in El Segundo. The enrollment is small, split evenly across the grade bands, with a majority Hispanic student body and a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school sits in an area where median home values are high and rents are moderate; the local job market and mortgage context reflect the broader economic environment of coastal Los Angeles County.
On standardized testing, the school faces real challenges. The most recent proficiency data shows that about half of students met the standard in English language arts, fewer than a quarter in mathematics, and a small share in science. Only one year of data is available, so it is not possible to trace whether these results are trending or stable; a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the trajectory and what supports are in place for students in math and science. No graduation rate or chronic absenteeism data are reported, and special population data for students with disabilities and English learners are not available. The gaps in these metrics may reflect the nature of the school or reporting lags; without that context spelled out in the data, a parent should ask the school directly about these outcomes.
What distinguishes Da Vinci Design is its pathway architecture. The district has sharply expanded dual enrollment, moving from two career pathways to eight, and now offers free college courses through El Camino College, with the state and the district covering tuition and textbooks. This is a concrete benefit: students can begin earning college credit in high school at no cost to families. For seniors, a new program called LifeLaunch launches in fall of the 2025-26 school year, providing tuition-free certification pathways in healthcare fields such as certified medical assistant, pharmacy technician, and EMT, or in aviation with FAA drone certification and paid flight hours. Students can also pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree through partnerships with Southern New Hampshire University and other institutions, all free to families. The Da Vinci Connect pathway allows students to begin college coursework as early as ninth grade and work toward a degree without cost.
These college and career scaffolds are the school's defining feature and a genuine draw for families seeking tuition-free pathways beyond high school. The school is explicit about preparing students for direct entry into careers and further education, and it has built infrastructure to do so. For families in the El Segundo area weighing Da Vinci Design, the question is whether the current academic proficiency aligns with their expectations for a student's readiness for that next step, and whether the school's model of career focus and dual enrollment is the right fit for their child's learning style and goals.
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