Thank you for supporting Citizens of the World Charter School! CWC opened its doors to its first class of 100 Kindergarten and First Grade students in September 2010. It is growing every year and will eventually serve 660 students in grades K-8. It is modeled after some of the most acclaimed public and private schools in the nation.

CWC provides a socio-economically, culturally and racially diverse community of students in the heart of Hollywood with an intellectually challenging, experiential learning environment that develops each individual student's confidence, potential and individual responsibility as citizens of the world in which we live. The cornerstone of our educational program is to give students authentic opportunities to learn and think critically in a real-world context and from one another as peers. We are proud to offer this innovative program within a new, vibrant public school setting.

Our model includes a 20:1 average student to teacher ratio along with a Teaching Assistant in every class. We also offer music, art, and physical education multiple times a week and an affordable healthy school lunch program and after school program until 6pm every day.

California ranks near the bottom in terms of per pupil funding averaging just $4700/pupil in general fund revenue limit for elementary school students ($7,500 when supplemented by all state and federal additional funding). This is in comparison with the approximately $12,000+ that states like Connecticut provide per pupil in government funding. Charter schools are funded directly by the state and in exchange for greater autonomy than traditional public schools charters receive less funding. Specifically, charter schools are not eligible for more than 28 different categorically funded programs that traditional schools in California can apply for and instead receive a lesser amount in a charter block grant. Charters also are not able to fund facilities through school bonds and other tax vehicles nor are they able to submit mandated cost reimbursement claims like traditional public schools.

The cost to educate a student at CWC is currently $10,216/per pupil. We receive $7,594 in government funding which includes $275/student in one time charter start up grant funding. This means that we need to raise an additional $2,600/per pupil to supplement public funding to sustain our educational model. We have been fortunate to have a major benefactor in our founder, Mark Gordon. Over time we will increase enrollment and the model will become self sustaining with significant reliance on parental contributions.

Mark Gordon funded CWC's launch last year and contributed another $300,000 (or $3000 per pupil) for our inaugural year and is contributing another $200,000 in our second year of operation. We need to raise an additional $245,000 this school year (2011-2012) to support our current program. The largest source of ongoing funding will come from the annual pledge drive. This translates to $1300/family. We know that nearly 40% of our families are socioeconomically disadvantaged and will not, for the most part, be able to contribute at this level. Nonetheless, our goal is 100% participation in the pledge drive at whatever level families are able.

We are also planning a number of events for students and families alike including:

• SILENT AUCTION/GALA - Early spring at Siren Studios on Sunset Blvd.

Smaller events like wine tastings and promotions at local restaurants are also in the works. We are also signed up with Labels for Education and Boxtops along with ESCRIP at tons of local stores (click here to sign up for ESCRIP – our group name is Citizens of the World Charter School and our group ID# is 500024691). Lastly, our fundraising committee will be pursuing big and small grants as well as corporate sponsorships and partnerships.

Thank you in advance for supporting CWC! You can click here to donate now.