HomeMy WebLinkAboutApplications_San Luis Obispo Classical Academy DEI 2022 Applications (1)Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
2022-2023 GRANT FUNDING FOR HIGH IMPACT DE&I PROJECTS
Pl e ase provi de al l re que ste d i nformati on be f ore submi tti ng your appl i cati on. Please be as spe cific as possible !
I f accommoda on or assistance is n eed ed in co mple ng this A pplica on, or if a paper ve rsion is prefe rre d, ple ase
contact (805) 781-7100 or D EI@slocity.org
Organization Name :*
Y e ar Establishe d:*
Fiscal Age nt, if diffe re nt than abov e :*
Tax ID #:*
Docume nt Ce rtifying Fe de ral Tax-Exe mpt status, if applicable
Name of Exe cutiv e Dire ctor (or highe st le ade rship position)
Approximate Annual Budge t:
M ajor Source s of Funding:
M ission State me nt:
Numbe r of paid staff (full- or part-time ):
Numbe r of v olunte e rs:
Name of Board Pre side nt or Chair:
Organizational Le ade rship Chart *
Name of Pe rson comple ting this Application:
PART 1: APPLICANT INFORMATION
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy
2005
N/A
203131883
501c3determinationSLOCA.pdf 31.17KB
Susie Theule
4,000,000
Tuition and Program Fees, Individual Contributions, Affiliated for profit Business Revenue
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy is a community that forges character, fosters wisdom, and nurtures a
lifelong passion for learning.
82
363
Kenneth Moore
SLOCA Org.pdf 709.06KB
Cozy Faber
Organization M ailing Addre ss:*
Phone :*
E-mail:*
Brie fly de scribe your organization’s mission, primary activ itie s, and ope rating structure s.
De scribe the community(ie s) your organization supports.
Name of DE&I Proje ct *
Est. numbe r of pe ople se rv e d through this proje ct:*
City
San Luis Obispo
State / Province / Region
CA
Postal / Zip Code
93405
Country
USA
Street Address
165 Grand Avenue
Address Line 2
805-548-8700
cfaber@sloclassical.org
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy (SLOCA) provides a classical education model to the communities
within San Luis Obispo County and supports parents in their efforts to educate their children. SLOCA is a
community that forges character, fosters wisdom, and nurtures a lifelong passion for learning.
17 years ago, SLOCA was founded on a collaboration between school and home to educate for life. The
education we provide is life-enriching, life-preparing and life-giving; although education contributes
towards meaningful ends, we understand that education is a worthy end in and of itself. The parent
directed and student centered design cultivates a focused environment invested in a love for learning. We
do this by creating a lifestyle for whole family education. Intentional multi-age classrooms and learning
models built on children’s inherent strengths.
SLOCA began in 2005 from the vision and tenacity of two women. It started as 27 children ranging from K-
6th with classes conducted in four homes to now in 2022 with over 406 students (Infant Care - 12th) on a
leased school campus from San Luis Coastal Unified, four leased buildings from Cal Poly, and leased
space in downtown San Luis Obispo. SLOCA offers a five day full-time program, a two day hybrid program,
and an additional Friday program. SLOCA now offers after school care.
SLOCA has an Executive Director (founder) who reports to a 7-10 member Board of Directors. The Lead
Team is composed of the Executive Director and leadership of each department. Mentor teachers are
assigned to new teachers to give them the support they need.
The SLOCA Athletics Program offers students in Kindergarten through 4th track and field, soccer, and
black top basketball. Starting in 5th grade, track and field, volleyball, flag football, basketball, and ultimate
frisbee are played at the league level. In high school, track and field, volleyball, basketball, 8-man football,
and cross country compete at the CIF level. All student levels at SLOCA have the opportunity to be part of
our rock climbing club--one of the only schools to have this sport.
Please be specif ic in the population and geographic area.
406 students (Infant Care - 12th) attend SLOCA on a leased school campus from San Luis Coastal
Unified, four leased buildings from Cal Poly, and leased space in downtown San Luis Obispo.
30% of families reside in the City of San Luis Obispo, 30% in north county, 30% in south county, and 10%
on the north coast of San Luis Obispo county.
PART 2: PROJECT INFORMATION
San Luis Obispo Academy Native Spanish Speaker Scholarship Program
1000
Est. numbe r of SLO CITY RESIDENTS se rv e d through this proje ct *
Total Proje ct Cost:*
AM OUNT OF CITY FUNDING REQUESTED:*
De scribe your propose d proje ct or program.
De scribe the community the proje ct will support.
300
600,000
128,080
Specify w hat the requested f unds w ill be used f or, the need for this project, the number of people impacted. Include a project plan, if available.
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy seeks to set up a scholarship program for rising 7th grade students
who are native Spanish speakers and are proficient in Spanish and English in the City of San Luis Obispo
and county with the help of the City of San Luis Obispo’s DE&I Impact Fund.
We seek the DE&I grant funding to cover one year of tuition, books, mandatory fees, program
development, and discretionary expenses for four students in our five day program. Initially the students
will join our Upper Middle School which is comprised of 140 students as their immediate circle. As part of
the five day program, students interact with students who are in our hybrid program as well as the Friday
program offerings, expanding the program reach to the entire 406 strong student body, 363 volunteers,
and 82 staff members. Involvement in school sports will open them up to school athletes from Heartland
Charter with whom we partner.
The DE&I grant will also support the cost of in person translation services as needed to families during
required parent trainings, orientations, and meetings. This extends to the creation of our new informational
collateral in Spanish, the audience of which will begin with prospective families continuing to those who
matriculate.
Six staff members are directly involved in the program development and administration. From our
research, community outreach, and feedback from experts, to ensure the success of the social emotional
aspect of the program design, it is optimal to allow space for at least two incoming students versus only
one.
Students' needs will fluctuate from family to family to be immersed in the entire SLOCA experience. To be
prepared for varying degrees of need, a discretionary fund would provide flexibility to cover costs which
the family cannot. The fund would support students as needed to take part in the optional lunch plan,
purchase school supplies, play sports, attend summer camps, buy a yearbook, and contribute to a fully
realized academic experience. For example, some families need the school provided lunch option, while
others will opt to bring their own lunch. Students can participate in the sports of their choice, without the
weight of costs acting as a deterrent. That said, the athletics department’s fee model aims to keep the cost
of sports below market rate to maximize participation of all students. In close collaboration with our
admissions team, we will be able to discern the level of support for each family from the discretionary fund.
The need is for the program itself to encompass the full value system of equity and inclusion by funding
the areas described above. The bare bones cost for one Spanish speaking student from Pacheco
Elementary to attend SLOCA from 7th through 12th grade has been pledged by one donor. The donor’s
dollars committed to the project have site specific conditions that inadvertently limit its intent to be an agent
for diversity at SLOCA.
Funding from the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Impact Fund would allow the program to operate outside of
that localized geographic demographic, resulting in a more diverse pool of students and stretch donor
dollars further.
De scribe the e quity gaps and community ne e ds this proje ct will addre ss.
In the table below briefly list 2-3 methods of evaluation and indicators of success or
Specify the population, location of services provided, and any other identif iers your proposed project w ill support.
San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLCUSD) has 25 years of experience providing bilingual
education. SLCUSD offers elementary dual language programs at Pacheco Elementary (K-6) and at
Baywood Elementary (K-1 adding a grade each year). Pacheco Elementary is located within the City of
San Luis Obispo.
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy’s campuses are located in the City of San Luis Obispo. 406 students
(Infant Care - 12th) are enrolled residing as far north and east as King City and Fresno, and as far south
as Santa Ana. 30% of families reside in the City of San Luis Obispo, 30% in north county, 30% in south
county, and 10% on the north coast of San Luis Obispo county. 12 languages are spoken at home across
the school population. Classes take place on leased school campus from San Luis Coastal Unified, four
leased buildings from Cal Poly, and leased space in downtown San Luis Obispo.
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy has been approached by a donor wishing to create a scholarship
program for students whose native language is Spanish and have completed the Dual Language
Immersion program at Pacheco Elementary School. The students would enter SLOCA at 7th grade and
attend through high school. There are limits to the use of the funds:
Location. The funding is site specific. If a native Spanish speaking student, now proficient in English and
Spanish by the end of 6th grade, completes their term at another school in the city of San Luis Obispo or
elsewhere in the county, the funding would not cover that student. The student therefore would not meet
the eligibility requirements of the donor’s funding in order for SLOCA to accept their scholarship
application.
Costs. The funding will only cover mandatory fees, tuition, and books.
Funding from the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Impact Fund would allow the program to operate outside of
the focused demographic, resulting in a more diverse pool of students.
The donor’s funding does not cover an optional lunch plan, school supplies, sports, summer camps,
yearbook, and others which contribute to a fully inclusive experience.
We seek for the DE&I grant funding to cover one year of tuition, books, mandatory fees, program
development, and discretionary expenses for four students in our five day program. This would allow us to
free up and lengthen the life of the donor funds, resulting in closing the gap further to maintain security of
the initial cohort of four students through graduation.
SLOCA is committed to comprehensive, thoughtfully designed communications both in person and through
digital and print materials. We seek support from the DE&I grant to cover the cost of in person translation
services as needed to families during required parent trainings, orientations, and meetings. This extends
to the creation of our informational collateral in spanish, the audience of which will begin with prospective
families continuing to those who matriculate. Organized, succinct, and beautiful materials are integral to an
inclusive environment, which at present is outside of the donor’s funding scope.
From our research, community outreach, and feedback from experts, to ensure the success of the social
emotional aspect of the program design, it is optimal to allow space for at least two incoming students
versus only one, with an objective to enroll four students in year one.
Students' needs will fluctuate from family to family to be immersed in the entire SLOCA experience. To be
prepared for varying degrees of need, a discretionary fund would provide flexibility to cover costs which
the family cannot. The fund would support students as needed to take part in the optional lunch plan,
purchase school supplies, play sports, attend summer camps, buy a yearbook, and contribute to a fully
realized academic experience. For example, some families need the school provided lunch option, while
others will opt to bring their own lunch. Students can participate in the sports of their choice, without the
weight of costs acting as a deterrent. That said, the athletics department’s fee model aims to keep the cost
of sports below market rate to maximize participation of all students. In close collaboration with our
admissions team, we will be able to discern the level of support for each family from the discretionary fund.
measurable outcomes.
M e thods of Ev aluation Indicators of Succe ss / M e asurable Outcome s
In the chart below, identify any partnerships/collaborations that are supporting this
project, and their roles.
Name of Partne r Activ ity/Se rv ice The y Prov ide for This Proje ct
Prov ide the time line for this propose d proje ct.
De scribe your plan for sustainability be yond the City’s one -ye ar award funding, if applicable .
Using the table below, please provide a broadly-itemized budget for your project,
including the source of any matching funds.
Ite m De scription *Total Cost *Amount Prov ide d by
City Funds *
Amount of Othe r
Funds and Source of
Funding *
1
2
3
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
# of students matriculated
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
100% retention rate
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
# of parents served
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
sports and summer camp participation rate above
75%
Example: ABC Business
Pacheco Elementary English Learner Advisory
Committee
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
coordination of promoting opportunity to eligible
families
Example: ABC Business
Pacheco Elementary Principal and key staff
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
partnership between schools to aid with seamless
integration at SLOCA
Program development is presently in progress. Translation and creation of program materials, and giving
presentations would begin once funding is secured in January 2023. Application process would open in
February 2023. Approved applicants would be eligible for discretionary funds to attend summer programs
open to the public in Summer 2023. The first cohort of students matriculate to San Luis Obispo Classical
Academy in August 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year.
A donor has committed $250,000 to create a scholarship program for students whose native language is
Spanish and have completed the Dual Language Immersion program at Pacheco Elementary School. The
students would enter SLOCA at 7th grade and attend through high school.
The program’s cost requires the solicitation of additional funding in and beyond year one to maintain a
scholarship fund of the desired design of four incoming students each year. This will create a multi level
student community for the students. Funding will be sought from individual, corporate, foundation, and
municipal sources on an ongoing basis. If funding is not secured from alternative sources to sustain
incoming student populations in future years, we will have made significant strides to keep our promise to
the enrolled students due to the support of the DE&I Impact Fund.
PART 3: PROJECT COST / BUDGET
Tuition & Fees 70,960.00$70,960.00$0.00$
Discretionary Expenses
(Lunch, summer camp, school
supplies, sports)
4,280.00$4,280.00$0.00$
Translation Services 20,000.00$20,000.00$0.00$
4
*During application review , you may be asked for f urther f inancial information or f or proof of any matching f unds
De scribe the plan for promoting this proje ct within the City of San Luis Obispo.
How will you highlight the City's support of your proje ct?
By signi ng thi s applicaon, I ce rfy that the i nformaon containe d w i thin is true and corre ct to the be st of my
know l e dge . I agre e to comply w i th the re quire me nts of the Ci ty of the San Lui s Obispo.
Name of Pe rson comple ting this Application:*
Signature *
Title :*
Date :*
Program Development and
Administration
20,000.00$20,000.00$0.00$
PART 4: AWARENESS AND VISIBILITY
SLOCA’s newly leased space in downtown San Luis Obispo will raise the visibility of the school overall.
Presentations will initially be made to English Language Advisory Committees at Pacheco Elementary and
other other interested school sites. It will be announced in SLOCA’s weekly newsletters and special Sneak
Peek Open House events.
The Parent Orientation evening, weekly newsletters, Down Home blog, website, social media pages,
Annual Report, History Experience Days, workshops, fundraising events, board meetings, presentations at
Pacheco Elementary ELAC, and Sneak Peek Open House events all have opportunities to share how we
make offerings possible at SLOCA.
PART 5: CERTIFICATION
Cozy Faber
Development Director
8/31/2022