ANNUAL REPORT

DRIVE TO THRIVE

2026

OUR MISSION

Ednovate’s mission is to create Positive Multigenerational Change by providing tuition-free, college-prep education with a focus on first-generation, college-bound high school students across Southern California. From day one on our 21st-century campuses, students receive the academic challenge and personal support they need to turn their college dreams into reality.

A LETTER FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR

Dear Ednovate Community,

Thanks to your unwavering partnership, Ednovate continued to provide a high-quality, innovative student experience rooted in our Whole Child approach. During a year of leadership transition, we lived out our theme, Drive to Thrive, remaining steady, focused, and committed to the best outcomes for students. 

In School Year 2025-26:

  • 100% of graduating seniors earned acceptance to a four-year college or university for the second consecutive year.

  • 644 graduates earned more than $50 million in scholarships and received thousands of acceptances from 200+ colleges and universities.

  • Ednovate students outperformed state and local benchmarks on key measures of academic achievement and college readiness.

  • 345+ Community Schools events engaged more than 28,800 participants, strengthening support and connection for students and families.

  • We continued expanding opportunity in Orange County, preparing to welcome the founding Class of 2030 at Atlas College Prep.

These milestones reflect the strength of our entire community. Together, we are driving toward thriving futures and Positive Multigenerational Change.

‍Better Together,‍ ‍

Kate Hirsh
Ednovate Board Chair

Impact at a Glance

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Outperforming Benchmarks. Expanding Opportunity.

Ednovate students consistently outperform state and local benchmarks on key measures of academic achievement and college readiness. These results are even more significant when compared with outcomes for Latinx, Black, and economically disadvantaged students—populations that make up the majority of the students Ednovate serves.

Across measures of literacy, college and career readiness, and eligibility for California's public universities, Ednovate students are demonstrating that when students have access to rigorous academics and the right support, they can thrive.

When Olivia Martinez arrived at Legacy College Prep, she imagined attending college close to home. After participating in a Harvard college prep program, she began envisioning something bigger: universities across the country and a future studying international law.

“It made me realize that Ednovate provides opportunities you didn't have before. You become your best self, the version you didn't know you could be.”

Advanced Placement | Dual Enrollment | Project-Based Learning | College Counseling | Daily Advisory

The Ednovate Experience

Milestones that Matter

LEADING THE WAY

This year, Ednovate schools, students, and educators earned recognition for academic excellence, innovation, and student success—locally, statewide, and nationally.

  • 2 additional California Distinguished Schools, recognizing exceptional student achievement

  • 5 AP School Honor Roll schools, expanding access to rigorous, college-level learning

  • National Best Places to Learn Award, recognizing Ednovate’s commitment to creating exceptional work environments for staff to flourish and grow

  • Selected for the Carnegie Foundation’s Future of High School Network, joining education leaders working to reimagine the high school experience

  • All Ednovate schools participating in CIF athletics, expanding opportunities for students to compete, lead, and belong

#Better Together

Community Schools

"Community Schools are about more than providing resources; they're about building trusting relationships, restoring hope, and empowering families during difficult times."

– Stephanie Ramos, Community School Coordinator, Esperanza College Prep

A great school supports more than academics; it becomes a place where students and families know they belong.

This year marked the successful completion of Year One of Ednovate's Community Schools initiative, transforming six campuses into community hubs where families can access resources, wellness services, educational opportunities, and trusted support, all in one place. By bringing partners, programs, and services directly onto campus, we removed barriers and strengthened the relationships that help students thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

At Esperanza, one parent turned to the school after losing her job. Stephanie helped her identify employment opportunities, complete applications, and prepare for interviews.

A short time later, the parent returned to campus—this time carrying a cake to celebrate receiving her first paycheck.

That moment captures what Community Schools are designed to create: trusted relationships that help families access resources, overcome barriers, and thrive.

Throughout the year, schools expanded on-campus programming based on the voices of students and families, including computer literacy classes, free technology access, mental health workshops, arts enrichment, food distributions, and community events that celebrated culture and connection. 

Community Schools IMPACT

OUR SCHOOLS

During the 2025–26 school year, Ednovate served more than 2,800 students across eight schools, including our Ednovate Virtual Academy. While every campus is grounded in Ednovate's proven college preparatory model and commitment to Positive Multigenerational Change, each school offers distinctive programs, partnerships, and experiences that reflect the strengths and aspirations of its community. 

MEET THE PRINCIPALS

Our USC PArtnership

"Our students are proud to carry the USC name. It reinforces their belief that they belong on a college campus and that the path there begins right here in South LA.

– Principal Jaron "Mr. Rob" Roberson

This year, Ednovate deepened its longstanding partnership with the University of Southern California by renaming two campuses USC East College Prep and USC South LA College Prep. Building on a relationship that began with the founding of USC Hybrid High in 2012, the new names reflect a shared commitment to college access and educational opportunity.

The partnership also strengthens teaching and learning through the USC Teacher Residency Program, where resident teachers work alongside experienced Ednovate educators while providing additional support to students.

“We are proud to deepen our partnership with Ednovate. USC has long been invested in the success of students from East and South LA.”— Pedro Noguera, Dean, USC Rossier School of Education

Together, Ednovate and USC are expanding opportunities for students while strengthening the pipeline of educators serving our communities.

Innovation With Purpose

“The best innovations in education don't start with technology. They start with people.”– Rachael DeRogatis, Special Projects Fellow

Innovation has always been part of Ednovate's DNA. This year, we relaunched our Innovation Team, bringing together 18 educators from eight schools to pilot emerging technologies and instructional strategies in real classrooms.

Working across five collaborative cohorts, educators explored solutions to strengthen instructional coaching, accelerate student feedback, personalize learning, and reduce administrative burdens. Their approach was simple: pilot, listen, iterate, and scale with care. Every tool was evaluated against one question: Does this help teachers better serve students?

One promising result is MyClassroomCoach, an AI-powered instructional coaching platform designed by Ednovate educators. The platform provides classroom-specific feedback aligned to proven instructional frameworks, expanding access to timely, high-quality coaching.

Across these efforts, technology serves as a tool—not a replacement for educators—giving teachers more time and support to focus on what matters most: building relationships, inspiring curiosity, and helping students thrive.

Looking Ahead: Driving Toward Greater Impact in Orange County

In August 2026, Ednovate welcomed the founding Class of 2030 to Atlas College Prep near Tustin. Students are beginning their high school journeys with rigorous academics, personalized support, dual enrollment, and career-connected learning designed to prepare them for college and beyond.

Atlas marks the next step in Ednovate’s long-term commitment to Orange County, building on the success of Legacy College Prep in Santa Ana and expanding access to high-quality public education.

Our vision extends beyond opening new schools. Through partnerships with local colleges, businesses, and community organizations, students will have opportunities to earn college credit, explore careers, build professional skills, and connect their education to their future.

As Ednovate continues to grow in Orange County, we aim to reach more students—particularly Black and Latinx students and those who will be the first in their families to attend college—with schools where they are known, challenged, supported, and prepared to thrive in college, career, and life.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Ednovate is committed to fiscal responsibility and transparency. Thanks to our generous partners and careful planning, we invest every dollar in delivering a high-quality education that transforms lives.

*Unaudited figures at time of publishing

Your Generosity

Our donors and partners are at the heart of everything we achieve. Your generosity fuels Positive Multigenerational Change by making it possible for Ednovate to provide strong college readiness programming, grow and maintain joyful and safe campuses, support innovative practices, and train and retain excellent teachers. Thank you for believing in our students and investing in their futures.

In the News

REMOVE? Whole Child Approach

We believe every student has a genius, and we must find it and cultivate it. ACT and GPA have been proxy measures of success for over 50 years. Our experience tells us that there are better measures to capture each student’s genius, their special gift to this world, so they can use it for good, to make this world a better place. We call this Positive Multigenerational Change. Our innovative Whole Child Report Card not only prepares students to get into college but also gives them a better chance at thriving in life.