LEARN. GRADUATE. GIVE BACK.
Making Waves Academy commits to rigorously and holistically preparing students to gain acceptance to and graduate from college, to ultimately become valuable contributors to the workforce and their communities.
Making waves is all about creating more educational opportunity for those that would otherwise not have access. We strive for a day when all children will have access to quality schools that support, nurture, and enable them to reach for the stars.
John H. Scully, Making Waves Co-Founder
OUR MISSION
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Our Values
Community
We combine our intellect and critical thinking skills to support each other and make healthy choices for ourselves and positive changes in our community.
Resilience
We are agents of change, who, through hard work and perseverance, have the power to define ourselves and to control our destiny.
Respect
We believe each person is valuable and we demonstrate respect by following our community norms.
Responsibility
We have integrity; we are accountable for our decisions and actions and their impact on ourselves and our community.
Scholarship
We are life-long learners who aspire to and achieve academic excellence.
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We Believe That Educational Opportunities Change Lives
Imagine a society in which all youth—regardless of race, ethnicity, or socio-economic status—have access to highquality educational opportunities and the tools to achieve success.
That vision inspired our founders to launch Making Waves Foundation in 1989 to address the educational needs of socioeconomically disadvantaged youth in Richmond, California. As Making Waves’ after-school tutoring and coaching program grew, our leaders realized that it could not meet the needs of enough students in a cost-effective way. So in 2007, we established Making Waves Academy as a public charter school.
Since then, Making Waves Academy has expanded to serve more than 1,100 young people in grades 5–12. Our students come from cities throughout west Contra Costa County. Nearly all students are students of color, and 80% qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Making Waves Academy partners with Making Waves Foundation’s college success program, known as CAP—which supports Making Waves Academy graduates through college—to form a unique, holistic educational model that supports students academically, social-emotionally, and financially on their journey to, through, and beyond college.
Alton B. Nelson, Jr., CEO, Making Waves Academy
We have seen that when students connect with their own motivation for going to college and what they are most passionate about, they are more likely to persist and succeed in college.
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Our Students
We prepare students for college, career, and life success by helping them develop critical competencies, skills, and mindsets.
Every year, nearly 100% of Making Waves Academy seniors earn their high school diplomas. Making Waves Academy high school graduation requirements are consistent with California’s college admissions requirements, aligning with our goal of preparing 100% of our students to be eligible to apply for admission to college. We encourage students to pursue their life dreams, whether that’s attending a four-year college or university, attending community college, or pursuing pathways outside of higher education.
As a public charter school, Making Waves Academy is free to attend. Given demand is higher than the number of spots available, there is a lottery process through which students are enrolled or waitlisted. of
*Lower percentage due to COVID-19 pandemic
Senior Class
2021 Fast Facts 88% 2434 90%100% 71% Graduation Rate* of students were admitted to college (83 of 93) of graduates met the A-G requirements for UC/ CSU eligibility students attend community colleges students moved straight into the workforce of students are enrolled in 4-year colleges students attend a CSU campus students attend a UC campus including 13 at UC Berkeley and 4 at UCLA 16 11
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We Believe in Social Impact Through Education
We call our students ‘Wave-Makers,’ referring to the waves they make in the world after graduating, including giving back to the community.
I can say with full confidence that Making Waves Academy is the best school for my family. The teachers are very respectful and challenge the students to be more successful—they don’t let them fall behind, they see their potential and help them reach it. Gonzalo, father of four Wave-Makers
I am a Wave-Maker! I am a valuable person. I will believe in myself. I will achieve my goals. I am creative. I will be an impossible me and recycle my success.
An excerpt from the ‘Wave-Maker Affirmation’
We Believe in Recycling Our Success
Making Waves Academy supports the growth of our students as responsible citizens by creating a mindset that embraces a daily practice of our core values: Respect, Responsibility, Scholarship, Resilience, and Community. Everyone at Making Waves Academy is committed to these values, and our graduates go on thinking about how they are going to give back to their communities.
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Our Holistic Approach
Making Waves Academy applies a holistic approach for each student. We accept students where they are and chart the appropriate course to encourage long-term success. Our charter school provides a broad array of services and support, including academic intervention, mental health services, and test preparation (SAT/PSAT/ACT).
Academic Support
Making Waves Academy provides academic support to all students based on student academic need, including providing advanced learning services, intervention services, English language development, and enrichment opportunities.
College and Career Counseling
We support each student in developing their dreams for themselves and aligning their dreams to post-secondary education pathways and/or career options. Our College and Career Counseling Center prepares students for multiple pathways by providing guidance and support on academics, extracurricular activities, and standardized tests. Services provided include college and career goal setting, visits to and from college campuses, and college selection and application process support.
Social-Emotional Support
Making Waves Academy provides clinical psychological counseling and social work services as well as social-emotional curriculum to help students process and overcome trauma and other non-academic challenges, including obstacles due to systemic racism.
College Scholarships and Coaching
Making Waves Academy graduates have the opportunity to participate in Making Waves Foundation’s college success program, known as CAP, which provides personalized coaching, financial support, financial literacy resources, and career guidance for Making Waves Academy graduates.
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Our State-of-the-Art Campus
We are committed to providing the facilities and resources our students need to succeed.
Our campus features open learning areas, parent resource centers, restorative justice spaces, college and career centers, performing art and art spaces, and athletics facilities. Our campus design encourages creativity, innovation, and collaboration, with classrooms clustered around community hubs. Every student and every teacher has access to cutting-edge technology including Promethean interactive boards for every classroom and Chromebook devices for every student.
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College Success Program
All Making Waves Academy graduates have the unique opportunity to join Making Waves Foundation’s college success program, known as CAP. This program supports graduates from Making Waves Academy and other high schools in the Bay Area, and has tremendous outcomes supporting students in reaching their college, career, and life dreams.
Need-Based Scholarships
All eligible Making Waves Academy college students receive access to need-based scholarships, of up to $5,000 a year.
Personalized College Coaching
Professional coaches work with students to create an annual plan centered on academics, communications and connection, professional development, time management and organization, wellness, and financial management.
Personalized Financial Planning
The financial services team helps students with college selection, financial planning and literacy, developing budgets, completing financial aid forms, and graduating from college with limited and manageable debt.
Professional Networking, Internships, and Workshops
Professional development activities throughout the year include opportunities to meet professionals in various industries so students remain connected to a community of peers and create a broad professional network.
Post-College Coaching Coaches continue to support students after college, providing guidance on career paths, post-graduate education, finances, and life skills.
Data based on 296 Making Waves Academy alumni in college and supported by Making Waves Foundation’s college success program, CAP, of
86% $1,222 First-Generation College Students Types of College Attended Average Estimated Loans Per Year Per Student • 44% at a California State University campus • 32% at a University of California campus • 13% at a community college campus • 5% at a private college or university • 2% at an out-of-state public college or university • 3% other
as
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Join Our Team!
Making Waves Academy seeks talented individuals to apply for roles across the organization, including:
• Teaching
• Instructional leadership
• Operations
• Counseling
• Program management
• Data analysis
• Technology
• Administrative support
Our CEO, Alton B. Nelson, Jr., has an amazing commitment to developing his staff to their fullest potential and makes sure the organization invests in professional development and leadership opportunities. He is committed to attracting diverse pools of talent and creating great incentives to retain our talent.
What makes Making Waves Academy an exceptional place to work?
Innovation and Collaboration
• We provide state-of-the-art facilities and a work culture that encourage creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
Intentional Student Support
• We intentionally support our students to and through college, and we follow the impact of our programs on students’ lives after graduation.
Holistic Support Services
• Making Waves Academy offers a variety of holistic supports for students including social-emotional development, restorative practices, psychological counseling, and social work services.
Comprehensive Benefits
• Making Waves Academy offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including options for 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, and group term life insurance, a cost-of-living stipend, and a 403B or CalSTRS retirement plan.
Funding to Advance Our Mission
• In addition to the federal, state, and local funding we receive as a public charter school, we receive significant philanthropic support to advance our mission.
Lisa Dodson, Managing Director of Talent, Making Waves Academy
Visit Us Today! makingwavesacademy.org/careers
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Our Board of Directors
The board members of Making Waves Academy are committed leaders who actively work to further the school’s mission and long-term goals. In their oversight role, they act strategically and in partnership with school leaders, focusing on student achievement and development, school culture, fiscal responsibility, and compliance.
Alicia Malet Klein Board President GATE Instructor, Coleman School; President, HeadsUp Public Education Foundation
Anabel Barron Board Secretary School Care Manager, West Contra County Unified School District; Making Waves Academy Parent
Janis Glover Realtor; Retired Manager, Pittsburg Arts and Community Foundation; Former Chief of Staff, Contra Costa County District 5; Former Legislative Aide, California State Assembly
Dr. Esther Hugo Adjunct Faculty, San Jose State College of Education; Coordinator, UCLA College Counseling Certificate Program; Education Consultant
Jessica Laughlin Senior Product Manager, Genentech
Layla Naranjo Associate Director (interim), Residential Education, UC Berkeley
Margaret Watson Manager, Corporate Strategy, Adobe
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BE A WAVE-MAKER!
Whether you are interested in student enrollment, employment opportunities, community partnerships, or supporting Making Waves, we invite you to reach out, learn more, and get involved.
makingwavesacademy.org
