History

Since 2000, Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) has inspired its students to achieve dramatically improved academic results by extending learning beyond the classroom walls and using methods like outdoor educational field trips to complement rigorous academic programs.   U.S. News & World Report ranked ECHS in the top 3% of high schools in the nation for its ability to deliver college-ready graduates from its community.                  

The award-winning high school outperforms comparable high schools.  Thirty two percent of California’s high school students graduate with the course work needed to attend a university.  At ECHS 97% of graduate college ready.   80% of our graduating senior will be the first in their families to attend college.  
 
ECHS was Los Angeles’ first - and one of the nation’s first - environmentally-themed public charter high schools.  We have had 10 years to develop, implement, reflect and refine our Green Curriculum and consequently have received an EPA award and Service Learning Leader Award. 

With the support of a 2009 California Public Charter Schools Dissemination Grant, ECHS began sharing its Green Curriculum and specifically its award winning Green Ambassador program with 10 public schools across the state.  And, in April 2010, ECHS was featured in the Media Policy Center’s Growing Greener Schools documentary as a model for teaching using the environment as the integrating context!
 

Expansion to all grade levels

These first 10 years of experience has prepared us expand our model to all grade levels and to serve as both a model and leader for high school’s nationally.   In the fall 2010, we will open Environmental Charter Middle School and in Fall 2012, we will open Environmental Charter Elementary School.  Our goal is to create a K-12 model of education that is both rigorous and integrates the environment into its design to inspire, equip and empower all students. 
 

Green Ambassador Institute

In addition to expanding grade levels, ECHS launched a Green Ambassador Institute with the purpose of sharing our award winning Green Ambassador curriculum and other green teaching practices and curricula with schools nationally. 

Our goal is for all schools across America to have the following common features:

•    Demanding curriculum and rigorous academic programs that exceeds state standards for all grade levels
•    Small schools and classes that facilitate strong relationships among students, teachers, and parents
•    Learning that occurs beyond the classroom walls and into the local environment
•    Project and service-based learning
•    Interdisciplinary approach that incorporates environmental science and ecology inspired activities across all disciplines
•    A “Green” school culture and a common vision that adds meaning to students’ experience