Making Waves Academy 2021-22 Impact Report

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Community and resilience during the pandemic

Ranking among the best high schools in U.S.

Celebrating the college and career paths of the Class of 2022

Wave-Maker alumni giving back in their careers and communities

Honorary naming: Campus for Equity in Education

About Making Waves Academy

Making Waves Academy is a public charter school committed to rigorously and holistically preparing students in grades 5-12 from Richmond, California, and the surrounding areas for college, career, and life success.

In the U.S. News 2022 Best High Schools rankings, Making Waves Academy was recognized among the top high schools, including receiving an overall score of 93.97/100 and ranking among the top high schools in California and the U.S.

Making Waves Academy Named Among Top 4.5% of U.S. High Schools

Top 4.5% among U.S. high schools

5.8% among California high schools

7.3% among U.S. charter high schools

MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

Dear Making Waves Academy community,

I would like to begin this impact report by appreciating a variety of people who supported us in our return to in-person learning for the 2021–22 school year.

Thank you for “riding the wave”

I value and appreciate our students, parents, staff, service providers, and our charter authorizer, the Contra Costa County Board of Education, for “riding the wave” that was the 2021–22 school year. A special thank you to our board of directors, Making Waves Foundation staff and board, and a very special appreciation to Making Waves founders, John and Regina Scully. Lastly, thank you to all our funders and supporters who contribute time and resources in supporting our Making Waves community.

Facing COVID challenges

The school year began with tentative excitement and some fear about what it would mean to return to in-person learning. We would be combatting COVID, lost time at being around people, and losses in learning. The tentative excitement gave way to new challenges such as weekly COVID testing, not having in-person community building and meetings, and an increase in student and staff support to address health challenges, loss of loved ones to COVID, and anxiety about the future.

Turning a corner and celebrating great “firsts”

By the end of the school year, we began to turn a corner as we looked forward to celebrating our 8th grade promotion, 12th grade graduation, school events, and the college and career decisions of our seniors. We celebrated some great firsts: the boys’ soccer team winning their first North Coast Section championship, the first junior–senior prom on campus, and our first graduate gaining admission to Harvard University.

Setting our sights higher

For the 2022–23 school year and beyond, we are excited to set our sights higher. We are expanding our approach to college access education for our students and families, strengthening instruction schoolwide, and rebuilding parts of our culture. Now 15 years into our school’s founding, we are seeing the exciting developments some of our Wave-Maker alumni returning to campus to build their careers and recycle their successes. With time, radical prioritization, and practice, I look forward to us being even stronger than we were before the pandemic.

We hope this impact report does a good job of sharing some of the challenges, successes, and reflections from the school year.

Thank you for your interest and support.

Sincerely,

Alton B. Nelson, Jr. Chief Executive Officer

YEAR IN REVIEW

Resilience and community during the pandemic

Making Waves Academy overcame disruptions during the pandemic through dedicated support of students, teachers, and the community. Alongside immense challenges, there were some courageous successes and return-to-normal moments.

“I’ve seen a lot of things that we call ‘normal’ in a school year, one of which is when parents drop their kids off at school. The kids typically turn back to their parents, and both will wave goodbye. The parents seem to wait slowly, trying to take one last look. That’s one of the real welcome-back-to-school moments. As a parent, I know that feeling when dropping off my own kids,” said Alton B. Nelson, Jr., CEO of Making Waves Academy, during a virtual State of the School panel conversation held in fall 2021.

priorities,” said Nelson.

““Safety, academic learning, and socialemotional well-being continue to be the top

Approaching learning loss with compassion

Before the pandemic, Making Waves Academy was already specializing in intervention programming and academic and socialemotional support services. At the height of the pandemic, the need for this dramatically increased. The political unrest and racial injustices happening simultaneous to the pandemic compounded the challenges.

As students and teachers made the pivot back to being on campus, the Making Waves Academy team led with compassion and was proactive during the transition, providing self-care packets and mindfulness programming, as examples.

Building community was critical. “There was value in taking the first few weeks of school and focusing on engaging each other again.

Wave-Makers,” said Nelson.

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“Our 5th graders returned as 7th graders, our 7th graders returned as 9th graders and our 10th graders returned as seniors. This example is a reminder of how much we needed to be patient and observant of students and what they needed to adjust,” Nelson said.

Students were then more prepared for the rigorous instruction and the high expectations we have for them as

Supporting teachers, too

As large numbers of people across the U.S. left their jobs as a part of what’s known as the Great Resignation, Making Waves Academy was responsive in supporting, hiring, and retaining teachers.

We also looked at our salary, benefits, and compensation packages for employees, identifying ways to retain talent and investing in coaching and professional development,” he added.

Another bright spot is the Teacher Residency Program, which is growing the talent pipeline by preparing recent college graduates and career changers interested in becoming teachers. The program pays residents and covers the cost of a master’s degree and teaching credential, while developing them into highly effective teachers through training in areas such as instructional planning, cultural competency, and social-emotional learning.

Meeting disruption with dedication

“While disruption and distress have been two themes to emerge, two others have been dedication and delivery. The latter two have been the spirit of Making Waves since I’ve known it at its inception and we’re going to continue that tradition,” said Nelson.

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“There has been such fortitude and resilience in our community. There’s a strength of courage in the face of what’s happening and in an ability to bounce back,” Nelson said.

“There is a strong commitment and belief in our mission and our outcomes. We have one of the best faculties serving our students with high-quality instruction,” said Nelson.

Group of teacher residents and their mentors

Making Waves Academy Celebrates Graduates

Making Waves Academy celebrated its graduating students – known as the 19th Wave – and their families on June 14 at Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, California.

Valedictorian Lizbeth Ibarra is attending Harvard University

Valedictorian Jaquelin Trujillo is attending UCLA

Salutatorian Alexis Ledesma is attending UC Davis

Valedictorian Alexander Reyes is attending UC San Diego

Salutatorian Elena Ybarra is attending UCLA

“ “We are proud of the Class of 2022 and of all they have accomplished. Our graduates have persevered through a few particularly challenging years to reach this milestone–including a return to inperson learning,” said Alton B. Nelson, Jr., CEO of Making Waves Academy.

A Continuum of College and Career Pathways

During 2021–22, Making Waves Academy continued efforts to increase support for students across the continuum of college and career pathways. In May, the school community joined seniors at a decision day event during which students shared a range of plans, with the majority attending bachelor’s degree programs and universities or community colleges.

Several students started job programs, trade or apprenticeship programs, military enlistment, gap-year programs, and other career paths.

Making Waves Foundation Grants Scholarships

Making Waves Academy graduates have the unique opportunity to receive scholarships and coaching from Making Waves Foundation to support them on their path to graduating from college.

“We’re thrilled to welcome college-bound Wave-Makers into our college success program, which provides academic, career, financial, and wellness support based on students’ unique identities, interests, and aspirations,” shared Patrick O’Donnell, CEO of Making Waves Foundation.

Making Waves and Breaking Barriers at Harvard

Lizbeth Ibarra decided to attend Harvard University, an institution that accepted only 3.19% of applicants in 2022 – the lowest percentage in the school’s history. “I am most excited about getting out of my comfort zone and being able to experience something different. I am hopeful that everything the 19th Wave and I do after graduation is going to change the world for the better,” Ibarra shared.

“I chose Harvard because I feel it’s important that I continue to break barriers as a low-income woman of color at a PWI [predominately white institution]. While I know I’m going to have to seek resources to support me as a first-generation student in a space like this, I want to show other BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, and people of color] kids that we do belong in these spaces.”

A climate activist, Ibarra is studying environmental science and engineering. She is a first-generation college student and is the first Making Waves Academy student to attend Harvard.

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Lizbeth Ibarra

Wave-Maker Completes Summer Programs at Georgetown and Stanford

In summer 2022, Yvette Tejada, now a senior at Making Waves Academy, completed the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program and the Georgetown Pre-College Online Program. With Georgetown, Tejada took law and medical courses, filled with lectures, discussions, and assignments. With Stanford, Tejada attended two to four lectures a day for five weeks.

“I was taught a broad range of topics from anatomy and public health to imposter syndrome. Because I had taken introduction courses at Making Waves Academy, by the time I was accepted, I was very well-prepared,” Tejada said. “I was encouraged a lot by my counselor, Michelle Chan, who helped me throughout the application process.”

With only 30 students accepted to the Stanford program, Tejada said she benefited from the networking, mentorship, and projects. She developed a research paper, slideshow, and poster on environmental justice and access to health care.

“We all felt really connected to this topic because we all came from underrepresented backgrounds,” described Tejada. “I was ecstatic to apply my knowledge to help propose a solution for our focused dilemma.”

Through both programs, Tejada learned about college coursework and research as well as how to work with students and instructors from all over the U.S.

““I recognize that in college, I will meet individuals from all over the world. I plan to apply my newfound knowledge during college in the future.”

Yvette Tejada

Campus Scenes

A celebration of Making Waves Academy’s boys’ soccer team winning the North Coast Section championship in fall 2022.

Making Waves Academy Founder John H. Scully (left) with the boys’ soccer co-captains, Juan Maldonado (center) and Jorge Gudina (right).

Students choosing books through a partnership between Making Waves Foundation and the University of Chicago’s My Very Own Library Program.

Organized by students, the school carnival in fall 2021 brought together the community for games, activities, and learning about student clubs.

Teachers and staff members came together in April 2022 to plant flowers and vegetables for the first time at the campus’ community garden.

OUR TEAM

Wave-Makers Returning to Campus to Grow Careers in Education

After earning their college degrees, several Wave-Makers have returned to campus to recycle their success and pursue careers in education, joining our very mission-aligned team.

was a part of the 12th Wave and Class of 2015 at Making Waves Academy. She is now the campus’ student success liaison.

“Coming back to the place that set the foundation for me and being able to share my experiences with other students are really important,” shared Zacarias Lopez, who graduated from California State University, East Bay.

Zacarias Lopez completed a college capstone project that led to a conference presentation on the impact that mentors have on the academic achievements of undergraduate students of color. She noted the significant positive influence of her college coach from Making Waves Foundation.

““I probably wouldn’t be here if not for the amount of support I received from Making Waves. I want to make other students feel the same way and have that same support.”

KEVIN ALEGRIA

was a part of the 12th Wave and Class of 2015. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, he joined Making Waves Academy as an on-site substitute teacher before becoming the college and career counseling coordinator, supporting both the upper school and the middle school.

“I have learned a tremendous amount. In my new role, I am directly supporting students in their post-secondary journey. I am embodying recycled success as I do what I can to elevate our students to achieve their scholastic goals,” Alegria shared.

““I knew I wanted to be in education and help students from my community who look like me and have similar experiences. Coming back to Making Waves was the best way to do that.”

GABRIELA ZACARIAS LOPEZ

A Decade in the Making: Father and Son Duo Share Championship Season Together

For Barry Argueta and Alexis Argueta – head coach and assistant coach for Making Waves Academy’s boys soccer team – soccer is more than just a game. It’s a way of building community, giving back, and spending time with family.

Barry Argueta started coaching the team when his son, Alexis Argueta, was a sophomore at Making Waves Academy.

“I believed that what the school was doing for my son was so good in terms of academics, I wanted to give back something in return,” he shared.

A part of Making Waves Academy’s first-ever 5th grade class, Alexis Argueta went on to graduate from the University of San Francisco, started his career at an immigration law office, and joined his father on the field as an assistant coach.

This past season culminated in the team winning their first-ever California North Coast Section title. Triumphantly winning with a score of 4-1, the team has now set a new course for Making Waves Academy after several past appearances in the finals without victory.

Having gone from a player to a coach and mentor, Alexis Argueta shared: “I’m sure I would have been very happy to have won the title when I was playing but I think it was more rewarding as a coach.”

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“I’ve seen a lot of these guys grow and so I think that it’s rewarding to help them grow –not just on the soccer field but academically and in life as well.”

Making Waves Academy Boys Soccer Head Coach Barry Argueta (left) with his son and Assistant Coach Alexis Argueta (right)

CEO Earns Hart Vision Award

On March 17, 2022, the California Charter Schools Association recognized CEO Alton B. Nelson, Jr. among the recipients of the 2022 Hart Vision Awards and as the sole School Leader of the Year (North) honoree. The program recognized Nelson – who celebrated his 10-year anniversary at Making Waves Academy in 2021 – for his exceptional work and achievements as a public charter school leader and advocate.

VIDEO FEATURE: ALTON B. NELSON, JR. EARNS HART VISION AWARD

““For over a decade, Alton has demonstrated true dedication to the students of Making Waves Academy. I am proud to honor his service to the Richmond community with the Hart Vision award for School Leader of the Year.”

— Myrna Castrejón, California Charter Schools Association President and CEO

““This award is an affirmation of Making Waves Academy as a high-quality public charter school. There is a strong commitment and belief in our mission and our outcomes. We have one of the best faculties providing rigorous instruction and supporting our students in achieving their life dreams. I am honored to receive this award and I am proud to be a part of the Making Waves community.”

— Alton B. Nelson, Jr., Making Waves Academy CEO

OUR ALUMNI

Making Waves Academy Alumni Celebrating Graduations

This year, 25 Making Waves Academy alumni celebrated their graduations from college and universities across the U.S.

CONGRATULATIONS TO A FEW OF THE MANY COLLEGE GRADUATES!

Wave-Maker Camryn Downey graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Sonoma State University.

Wave-Maker Moises Limon graduated from UC Merced with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering.

Wave-Maker Luis Guzman earned two degrees from UC Davis: a BS in biopsychology and BA in African American studies.

From Making Waves Academy to UC Berkeley Law

“It is an absolutely amazing feeling to know that I have made history,” shared Leajé Morris, who became the first Making Waves Academy alumni to graduate from UC Berkeley School of Law in 2022 and the first in her family to become a lawyer.

““It is truly unreal and is an absolute blessing. I would not be here without God, my mother, my Making Waves family, and the discipline that I have maintained throughout this process,” she shared. “It is very gratifying to know that I can inspire other young students of color, especially those who come from a similar background as I do.”

“I remember the day that my name was pulled during the lottery like it was yesterday,” shared Morris about the lottery process for enrollment at Making Waves Academy, adding that the opportunity “would change my life trajectory in ways that we could not imagine.”

A strong student leader and advocate for others throughout her time at Making Waves Academy and while earning her bachelor’s and Juris Doctorate degrees at UC Berkeley, Morris shared: “I can honestly say that I graduated from law school with a newfound understanding of the law, and an eternal flame for the pursuit of justice.”

Now beginning her career in law as a litigation associate at a law firm in San Francisco, Morris said: “I am very thrilled to get started! I chose to pursue law school because I knew that I wanted to be an attorney at a very young age. I wanted to become the attorney that my community needed me to be.”

““Being a Wave-Maker means always giving back. To all of the Wave-Makers: Believe in yourself and know that you are equipped with the knowledge and the power necessary to reach the finish line.”

Leajé Morris (right) with her mother, Pamela Hampton (left)

OUR DONORS

Thank You – Without You This Would Not Be Possible

Thank you to our donors for your generous contributions between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.

$1,000,000+ John H. and Regina K. Scully Foundation

Jessica and John Fullerton $100,000+ Suzannah and Peter Scully $50,000+ Andrea and Brian Scully $1,000+ Alderson Real Estate LLC * Anonymous

Meka and Ajani Jackson, M.D. Alicia Malet Klein and Tom Klein

Alton B. Nelson, Jr. and Jennifer Henry Joseph and Mercedes McMicking Foundation

Mary and John Schelling

$500+ Anonymous

Joyce and David Burke Antoinette and Louis Ciapponi

Elizabeth Martinez + Zachary Paschall + Up to $499 Amazon Smile Anonymous Sumit Asija * Rachelle Aberin and Andres Orozco

Lazaro Beltran + Box Tops for Education * Tracey Broadhead Frith *

Ka’Dijah Brown + Benjamin Calvert + Jaime Cervantes Kelly Crosby + Judith Cunningham Diana and Ralph Davisson Irania De La Mora * Raul De Leon

Darcy H. and Richard Deming Karla Diaz-Lara and Gabriel Lara + Danelle Dibble

Patrick Gagen + Angela Garay + Genentech

Tammy Glover and Damon Edwards

Joyce Hawkins and John Sweitzer

Alex Klein and Kristy Henrich * Carol Heppenstall

Caitlin Holloway *

Susan and Richard Holm Helen Jupiter and Matthew Cohan

Wayne Kelley + Jessica Laughlin

Emalyn Lopez + Elizabeth Martinez

Ann and William Moon

Patricia and Alexander Obidi Ellen O’Donnell * John O’Donnell * George O’Neill

Brenda Paredes *

Glenn Rogers

Juan Sarabia *vw

Patricia and Paul Sax Edward Schaefer

Robert Schroeder Samantha Smith *+ UnitedHealth Group +

Art Vedder

Carmen Velarde + Dr. Evangelia Ward-Jackson + Jehan Williams + Charles Withers * Richard Woodward Blanca Zermeno

Wave-Maker Circle

Thank you to alumni from Making Waves Academy or Making Waves Foundation programs who have donated to either organization in the past year.

Ajani Jackson Andres Orozco Claudia Alvarez Corina Garcia Grace Zhang Guillermo Gallardo Irania De La Mora Jovita Jordan

Juan Sarabia Karla Diaz-Lara Tommy Zhang

Special Thanks Benevity Community Impact Fund Box Tops for Education Genentech Google J.P. Morgan Charitable Giving Fund Marin Community Foundation

Network for Good UnitedHealth Group * New Donor + Recurring Monthly Donor

Campus for Equity in Education

Making Waves Academy was co-founded by John H. and Regina K. Scully in fall 2007. In spring 2022, Making Waves Foundation dedicated the 20-acre campus as the Campus for Equity in Education, emphasizing Making Waves’ commitment to address disparities in education and recognizing John H. and Regina K. Scully’s extraordinary vision and longstanding support to reduce inequity and advance educational opportunities.

Pictured left to right: Ron Nahas, Alicia Malet Klein, Regina K. Scully, John H. Scully, Patrick O’Donnell, Derrick Bolton, Alton B. Nelson, Jr.

OUR FINANCIALS

Making Waves Academy’s Financial Position

Making Waves Academy is a tuition-free public charter school that receives local, state, and federal funding. To best meet student needs and achieve the most impact, our government funding is supplemented by significant charitable contributions every year.

The information to the right is derived from our fiscal year 2021–22 unaudited financial records. For more detailed information, please contact Chief Financial Officer Wallace Wei at wwei@mwacademy.org.

Fiscal Year 2021–22 Financials

Assets

Long-Term Assets $ 287,695

Total Assets $ 9,802,841

Net Worth $ 6,990,804

Revenue & Support

Government Grants $ 17,254,638

Contributions $ 10,076,556

Total $ 27,331,194

Expenses

Personnel $ 17,544,910

Non-Personnel $ 4,267,603

Contract Services $ 4,211,711

Total $ 26,024,224

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board members as of October 1, 2022.

Alicia Malet Klein Board President

Dr. Esther Hugo

Jessica Wind Laughlin

Margaret Watson

Anabel Barron Secretary

Layla Naranjo

Janis Glover

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Executive Leadership Team

Senior Leadership Team

Alton B. Nelson, Jr. Chief Executive Officer and Interim Principal

Brian Jimenez Assistant Principal, Middle School Division Wallace Wei Chief Financial Officer

Arella Sidransky Dean of Students (9-12)

Karen Snider Director of Special Education Kelly Le Director of Making Waves Academy-Alder Teacher Residency Program

Katharine Mason Director of School Operations

Esau Molina Director of College and Career Counseling

Elizabeth Martinez Chief Operating Officer

Artemus Jones Dean of Students (7-8)

Damon Edwards Chief Technology Officer

Eric Becker

Assistant Principal, Upper School Division

Lisa Strong Dodson Managing Director of Talent

Jennefer Cerna Dean of Students (5-6)

Executive Leadership and Senior School Leadership as of October 1, 2022.