Entries by Ellie Fazzi

Bridge to College: Student Voices From the First-Generation College Journey

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A blue and gold grad cap that says "Anything is Possible" with the text "Bridge to College" and the Visions and Paper Wings logos below.

Bridge to College: Student Voices From the First-Generation College Journey

Bridge to College is a support program for first-generation 10th–12th grade students designed to help them confidently navigate the path to college. In partnership with Paper Wings Creative Consulting, LLC, the program offers mentorship, guidance, and practical tools for college readiness.

With monthly mentor meetings, campus visits with families, peer support, and a dual enrollment opportunity, Bridge to College creates a supportive community that helps students and families feel prepared, informed, and confident about higher education.

To better understand the impact of the program, we spoke with current and former Bridge to College students – hear about their experiences and how the program has supported their college journey:

“The Bridge to College program has helped me a lot in terms of understanding what college life looks like, making it less intimidating. I’ve learned how to pick classes, socialize with peers, and beat self-doubt. I’ve also learned a lot about scholarships and financial aid, which has been really helpful. The mentors are super nice and they’re always asking for our feedback. I feel like this program is helping me feel more prepared for college and more capable of actually succeeding.”

Zjarna M., Grade 11, University Prep Early College Academy

“The Bridge to College program goes over many skills, from the specifics of actually getting into a college, to the payment aspect, to time management and so much more. The Bridge to College program is the reason I feel confident enough to enroll in a college for the next fall semester. I’ve been able to talk to students just like me currently going to college and have gotten the honest details of what college will be like. I believe that everyone who plans to go to college should take this course. The knowledge gained is not limited to the academic aspect. The program has highlighted specific local colleges, their clubs, and appropriate activities that college students partake in recreationally for those who may struggle with friendships. Even people that don’t plan to go to college should go, as the program offers a lot of advice that helps not only in college, but in high school. You’d be surprised how much college truly has to offer beyond academics.”

Mason M., Grade 11, Independent Study Academy

“The Bridge to College program prepared me for success after graduation in various ways, but the main one that stood out to me was the mentors. We got to speak to actual, current students who ended up in college either right after high school or when their lives led them there. We spoke each meeting about how our lives would change once we got there but also not to fear what was ahead of us. Speaking to these mentors made me realize two things. One of them was that college wasn’t anything to be afraid of. The other being that I had a support system, waiting to help me out as I started my process of becoming a student. Through their information and now as a mentor myself, I have seen firsthand how this program has given me endless opportunities to grow.”

Gianna S., Class of 2025, University Prep Early College Academy

These reflections highlight the heart of Bridge to College: building confidence, knowledge, and a sense of belonging for students as they prepare for life after high school. Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and meaningful connections with peers currently in college, students gain both practical tools and reassurance that they are not navigating this journey alone.

As Bridge to College continues to grow, it remains rooted in its mission to empower first-generation students and their families with the support they need to take their next steps toward higher education with clarity and confidence.

Listening to Learn: Celebrating Student LCAP Listening Sessions

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Multicolored speech and thought bubbles on a teal background with the Visions logo in the center.

Listening to Learn: Celebrating Student LCAP Listening Sessions

In March, Visions In Education hosted Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) listening sessions for parents, guardians, and students. These sessions provided an important opportunity for our community to share what’s working well across our programs, as well as where we can grow. This feedback plays a key role in shaping next year’s LCAP and guiding our continuous improvement efforts.

This year, we gathered valuable insights from our Student Council and Student Advisory groups. This feedback, along with insights from our student and parent/guardian LCAP surveys, is helping inform and refine our priorities for the year ahead.

Our Student Council and Student Advisory groups highlighted several strengths across their Visions experience, including:

  • Strong support networks through friendships, clubs, and study groups
  • Access to academic help like tutoring, math lab, and online tools
  • College and career readiness opportunities, including dual enrollment and counseling support
  • Engaging programs and activities such as clubs, field trips, and student voice initiatives
  • Diverse enrichment options like career speakers and CTE pathways
  • Students feel heard and supported in smaller, more personal settings

Our Student Council and Student Advisory groups also identified opportunities for growth in the following areas:

  • Expand academic offerings, including more course variety and practical life skills classes
  • Increase access to events and connection opportunities beyond the Sacramento area
  • Offer more diverse field trips, college tours, and student-centered experiences
  • Improve event planning, including scheduling, venues, and inclusivity
  • Strengthen communication on how student feedback is used
  • Create more consistent opportunities for student voice and recognition
  • Grow athletics and in-person engagement, including peer tutoring and CTE events

Board Member Sandra Morales also attended the listening sessions with our Student Council and Student Advisory groups, reinforcing the importance of student voice in guiding the work of Visions.

“At Visions In Education, we are intentional in our role as youth developers, ensuring students have meaningful opportunities to share their thoughts, opinions, beliefs, and passions. By elevating student voice, we affirm that young people are not just participants in their education, but partners in shaping it,” explained Associate Director of Equity & Student Engagement Ron Thomas. “Our student leaders care deeply about their school community and consistently show up as powerful change agents. When given authentic platforms to lead and contribute, they bring insight, creativity, and lived experience that strengthen our organization.”

Guided by Community

The feedback gathered from our LCAP survey is essential in shaping and refining our goals for the upcoming school year. Based on this input, we are focusing our discussions on:

  • Expanded Leadership: Ensuring more coordinated and equitable student opportunities across regions.
  • Student Support: Providing targeted support for students’ social, emotional, and civic growth.
  • Expanded Career Pathways: Expanding career and technical education programming, ensuring more students have access to career preparation.
  • Strengthened Curriculum Support: Enhancing curricular coherence, instructional support, and individualized learning plans.
  • Enhanced Communication and Feedback: Focusing on creating centralized communication structures and inclusive feedback systems.

Please stay tuned for more information when we share our official LCAP findings this May.

Thank You, Educational Partners!

Engaging educational partners – such as parents/guardians, teachers/employees, students, and community members – is a vital aspect of creating an effective LCAP. This collaborative approach ensures that the plan reflects the diverse needs and priorities of the community it serves. We are grateful to our Student Council and Student Advisory members for sharing their voices and helping shape a stronger, better Visions for the years ahead.

“Hearing directly from our students allows us to move beyond assumptions and make informed decisions on what they really want to see from Visions. Their feedback plays a critical role in shaping our LCAP priorities and ensures that our goals and actions reflect the real needs and aspirations of the students we serve,” explained Jamee Block, Associate Director of State & Federal Programs. “While our Student Council and Student Advisory groups provided a strong and meaningful opportunity for engagement, we are committed to hearing from an even broader group of students in the future.”

Spring Highlights: Engaging With Learning Period 8 Events!

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A collage of photos of Visions students with the text "Learning Period 8 Events" in the center.

Spring Highlights: Engaging With Learning Period 8 Events!​

Spring has been buzzing with energy across our school, with students taking part in a variety of enriching and fun events that showcased their creativity, curiosity, and spirit.

Home School students engaged with families and staff during our annual Project & Performance Fairs. From innovative science experiments to engaging performances, students had the opportunity to present their work, share their talents, and celebrate their learning in a supportive, festive environment. These fairs highlighted the hard work, creativity, and dedication of our Home School students throughout the school year.

High School students enjoyed a variety of exciting off-campus and cultural experiences this spring, including a day on the USS Hornet, where they explored a historic aircraft carrier, learning about naval history, engineering, and life at sea, roller skating and line dancing, fun-filled outings that combined physical activity and social engagement, and attending Michael Jackson the Musical, a theatrical adventure that brought music, dance, and storytelling to life.

These events reflect Visions’ commitment to providing students with opportunities to grow academically, socially, and culturally, while fostering meaningful connections with peers and staff. We look forward to more memorable experiences as the school year comes to a close!








Spring 2026 Graduates: Grad Letters, Checkouts, and Webinar Info Available Now!

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White and yellow text that says "Grad Info Available Now!" with the Visions logo underneath, next to a photo of two smiling graduations in front of a Visions backdrop holding graduation props.

Spring 2026 Graduates: Grad Letters, Checkouts, and Webinar Info Available Now!

Within the week, Visions will be mailing all potential grads a grad letter with graduation information, including ticket information. Included in this letter are parking instructions, a graduation checklist, and a list of graduation expectations that students are expected to abide by (see links to the PDFs below). To make accessing this information easier, we have created a Graduation Information page.

Graduates are responsible for reading and understanding this information prior to Grad Checkout and Graduation.

PDF Links:

For questions, please ask your teacher or contact us at graduation@viedu.org.

Grad Webinar

We will be holding an informational Graduation Webinar on May 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM. During this webinar, we’ll walk you through ceremony requirements, mandatory practice schedules, and essential graduation checkout procedures. Plus, we’ll provide you with key details to pass along to your guests who will be joining you for the ceremony. There will also be a chance to ask any questions you may have.





Register here!

Grad Checkouts

We will have five grad checkouts in May at different locations throughout our service area for students to get cleared for graduation, get caps and gowns, pick up tickets, and return outstanding materials. All sites will have staff to collect outstanding books, materials, and computers. All graduates must complete a grad checkout to be eligible to walk in our ceremony.

Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting April 23, 2026: LCAP and Title I

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Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting April 23, 2026: LCAP and Title I

Visions is pleased to share our upcoming Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting. During this meeting, we will review important information related to our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the Title I Annual requirements.

Home School & Secondary PACs will meet on April 23, 2026 at 5:30 PM via Zoom.

Members of the public are welcome to attend to stay informed about items being brought forward to the PAC for input. Opportunities for public comment will be available during the designated public comment portion of the agenda.

To review PAC agendas, Zoom links, presentations, and meeting procedures, please visit the PAC page on The Wire or access our PAC meeting documents directly.

Mentorship Matters: Visions & Improve Your Tomorrow

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A group of young male students gather in a circle with their fists raised together. Blue text in a yellow box at the bottom that says "Improve Your Tomorrow" with the Improve Your Tomorrow and Visions In Education logos.

Mentorship Matters: Visions & Improve Your Tomorrow

At Visions In Education, we believe every student deserves the support, guidance, and opportunities needed to reach their full potential. Through our partnership with Improve Your Tomorrow, we are strengthening pathways to success for young men of color and helping them build confidence, develop leadership skills, and prepare for college and beyond.

About Improve Your Tomorrow

Improve Your Tomorrow works to bring mentorship opportunities to young men of color throughout California and prepare them for higher education and future careers. The organization envisions “a nation in which young men of color are overrepresented in higher education, underrepresented in the criminal justice system, and are leaders in their communities.”

Through this partnership, students receive individualized mentoring while also participating in group sessions that create safe spaces for connection, reflection, and growth. These experiences allow students to explore identity, build resilience, and develop skills that support both personal and academic success. Improve Your Tomorrow works closely with Visions staff to ensure students remain supported, engaged, and on track toward graduation.

Hear From Our Students

Watch the videos below to hear Visions students share how Improve Your Tomorrow has shaped their confidence, strengthened their goals, and helped them see new possibilities for the future.

Growing Impact at Visions

Currently, 19 Visions students are actively involved in Improve Your Tomorrow.

Throughout the year, students participate in:

  • Weekly study halls focused on academic support and accountability.
  • Workshop meetings centered on cultivating positive habits, building strong decision-making skills, and choosing activities and friendships that encourage personal growth. Here, students engage in conversations about learning from difficult situations and turning challenges into opportunities.
  • Leadership development activities that empower students to use their voice and lead with confidence.
  • Ongoing mentorship and coaching from dedicated mentors.

These experiences are designed not only to support academic achievement, but also to foster belonging, purpose, and long-term success.

Expanding Opportunity: Visions In Education Joins RAPSA

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The Reaching At-Promise Student Association logo above the Visions In Education logo.

Expanding Opportunity: Visions In Education Joins RAPSA

At Visions, we’re committed to serving every student – no matter their background, circumstances, or learning journey. Our mission is to provide a personalized, high-quality education that meets each student where they are and prepares them for success in school and beyond.

In support of this mission, we’re proud to join the Reaching At-Promise Students Association (RAPSA), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering educators who serve at-promise students. Through RAPSA, teachers, administrators, counselors, and community members gain access to meaningful professional development that helps them better support every learner.

“At Visions, our students are at the heart of every decision we make. Partnering with RAPSA allows us to deepen our impact, equipping our educators with the tools and understanding needed to better support each student’s unique journey and unlock their full potential,” said Superintendent Steve Olmos.

Through research-based professional development and training, RAPSA bridges the gap between academic research and real-world practice – helping educators better understand and support At-Promise and Opportunity Youth. In partnership with Visions, RAPSA will expand access to the knowledge, resources, and cross-sector collaboration needed to improve student outcomes, supporting our mission of ensuring all students reach their full potential.

What This Means for Our Students

For students, this partnership means stronger support, deeper understanding, and more opportunities to succeed, both academically and personally. By equipping our staff with proven strategies and insights, we are better able to recognize each student’s unique strengths, address challenges with empathy, and create learning environments where every student feels seen, supported, and capable of success.

Whether a student is overcoming obstacles, re-engaging with school, or accelerating toward their goals, this partnership enhances our ability to meet their needs every step of the way.

Our collaboration with RAPSA reinforces what matters most – ensuring every Visions student has the opportunity, support, and confidence to reach their full potential and define their own path forward.

About RAPSA

The Reaching At-Promise Students Association (RAPSA) is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting educators who work with at-promise students. By identifying students as “at-promise,” RAPSA highlights the belief that every student – regardless of challenges – has the potential to succeed.

“RAPSA’s mission is to improve the lives of at-promise students by providing professional development experiences for educators who work with the opportunity youth population.” Learn more about RAPSA here.

Attention Class of 2026, Save the Dates! Spring Graduation is June 2 & 3, 2026!

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Two smiling graduates life their hands in the air in front of a Visions In Education backdrop, with the words "Save the Dates!" at the bottom.

Attention Class of 2026, Save the Dates! Spring Graduation is
June 2 & 3, 2026!





Graduation Info Page

Graduation is fast approaching, and we are excited to celebrate the incredible journey of the Class of 2026! You have worked hard, grown in meaningful ways, and helped shape the community around you. Below you’ll find the important details about your assigned graduation ceremony so you and your loved ones can prepare for this special milestone. We can’t wait to celebrate you and all that you’ve accomplished!

Graduation 2026: Ceremony Breakdowns

In order to accommodate our growing graduating class, this year we will be holding three graduation ceremonies over a two-day period! Graduation ceremonies will be held at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 and Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Students will participate in the graduation ceremony based on their principal group.

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

AM Ceremony

Ceremony Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Students arrive by 9:00 AM

🎓 University Prep Students (McKinnis)
🎓 Moses Community

PM Ceremony

Ceremony Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Students arrive by 3:00 PM

🎓 Lewis Community
🎓 Patel Community

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

No AM Ceremony

PM Ceremony

Ceremony Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Students arrive by 2:30 PM

🎓 Alward Community
🎓 Home School Academy
🎓 Fall Grads Attending Spring Ceremony

How Do I Find My Principal Group?

If you haven’t met your principal or have forgotten which community you are in, you can check in LPAD under the My Contacts section in the left-hand sidebar.

You will also receive a letter with specific instructions and will be reminded as we get closer to our ceremony date. If you have any questions, please reach out to graduation@viedu.org.

The Visions Advantage: Instructional Coaching at Visions In Education

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Close up photo of two people working together with sticky notes, pens, and a laptop.

The Visions Advantage: Instructional Coaching at Visions In Education

At Visions, we believe powerful professional learning happens when it’s grounded in practice, aligned to purpose, and enriched by continued learning. That’s the mission behind our in-house model for meaningful, customized instructional coaching.

And last spring, our Professional Learning & Innovation (PLI) Department deepened that mission by returning to the classroom themselves—this time at UC Berkeley’s International House, where they studied the transformative work of Elena Aguilar’s Art of Coaching Teams.

📚 Learning the Art of Coaching Teams

Group photo of Visions staff

The multi-day intensive at UC Berkeley offered our instructional coaches hands-on training in building high-functioning, equity-centered teams. The content is grounded in Aguilar’s framework for trust-building, identity work, and team transformation.

Key learning included:

  • How to build emotionally resilient teams
  • Tools for addressing conflict and resistance
  • Strategies to lead team development through a lens of equity
  • Techniques to align coaching work with school and program goals

This experience directly strengthens how we support PLCs, facilitate coaching cycles, and facilitate collaborative learning environments across our academies.

A special thanks to Montoya Mayo, proud UC Berkeley alumna, who reminds us that learning is both a personal journey and a professional calling.

🛠️ Expanding Our Toolbox: Training from PCOE

Placer County Office of Education - Guide to Coaching cover

In addition to Berkeley, PLI also participated in training with Placer County Office of Education (PCOE) focused on:

  • Coaching for content-specific pedagogy
  • Feedback strategies for adult learners
  • Data-informed instructional decision-making

Together, these trainings sharpened our coaching skills and affirmed our core belief: when professional learning is paired with effective coaching, transformation takes root.

🔍 The Research is Clear: Coaching Works

Studies show that professional development followed by coaching has a far greater impact than PD alone:

  • A meta-analysis of 60 studies that found teacher coaching yielded pooled effect sizes of 0.49 SD on instructional practice and 0.18 SD on student achievement was conducted by Matthew A. Kraft, David Blazar, and Dylan Hogan. Their research can be reviewed HERE.
  • Educators are more likely to implement new strategies when supported by ongoing coaching (Darling-Hammond et al., 2017).
  • Instructional coaching increases educator efficacy and leads to stronger student achievement outcomes (Kraft, Blazar & Hogan, 2018).
  • Coaching builds collective educator efficacy, one of the most powerful influences on student learning (Hattie, 2019).

🗣️ What Our Educators Are Saying

At Visions, our coachees agree:

“I really appreciate the process of observation and reflection. This time we focused on strategies for increasing engagement in an online setting and I will continue to reflect on how my lessons went and what I could improve upon.” – Independent Study Educator

“With my coach, I developed some really specific documents and presentations that I will continue using and adjusting as I need to. I enjoy the process of thinking about a problem that I have or anything that didn’t work as well as I wanted it to or was expecting and talking through ideas with somebody to improve my teaching practice.” – Independent Study Educator

“I was looking for a little validation that where I was putting my energy was valid, and looking for some ideas (through collaboration) to improve my practice in this medium. My coach helped a ton in both regards.” – Home School Educator

Recent coachee data from September 2025 backs this up: The jump in understanding shows that coaching creates the bridge between learning and real-world practice.

Instructional Coaching Data for PLI

Average Scores on a scale of 1-5 as of September 5th, 2025

Satisfaction rating

🔗 The Visions In Education Coaching Advantage

With a refreshed vision grounded in The Art of Coaching Teams, and bolstered by continued training with partners like PCOE, Visions instructional coaches are more prepared than ever to:

✔️ Collaborate deeply
✔️ Challenge respectfully
✔️ Build equity-driven learning environments
✔️ Equip educators for long-term growth

Group photo of Visions staff

Sharing Our Story at CSDC

This fall, a few of Visions’ PLI Department staff will be presenting at the California Charter Schools Development Center (CSDC) Conference, showcasing our approach to in-house professional learning paired with instructional coaching and highlighting how we build systems that honor educators while driving student success. This opportunity reflects both the innovation happening at Visions and the growing recognition of our model across the state. You can learn more about our specific session HERE.

Instructional coaching at Visions isn’t just support—it’s strategy, reflection, and partnership in action. That’s the Visions Advantage.

Professional Learning at Visions In Education

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White notebook with the work "Teamwork" surrounded by colorful images and icons of the different elements of teamwork.

Professional Learning at Visions In Education

At Visions, we believe that the growth of our educators directly fuels the success of our students. That’s why professional learning isn’t outsourced—it’s custom-built, in-house, and designed specifically for the unique needs of our staff and students.

Our Professional Learning & Innovation (PLI) Department works side-by-side with our educators, instructional leaders, and administrators to design engaging, relevant, and impactful learning experiences. From PLC implementation and curricular resources to instructional best practices and leadership coaching, every offering is grounded in our shared mission of equity, excellence, and student achievement.

What makes professional learning at Visions a true Visions Advantage?

  • Custom Design: Sessions are created by Visions educators, for Visions educators—aligned to California standards and tailored to our unique learning environments.
  • Practical Application: Every workshop, webinar, and coaching cycle connects directly to student and staff learning, ensuring strategies can be applied immediately.
  • Ongoing Support: Professional learning is not a single event but a continuous cycle of growth, reflection, and collaboration. We offer follow-up individual and group coaching sessions, along with asynchronous courses to meet the varied needs of our staff.
  • Shared Expertise: Our educators are learners and leaders, building a culture of collaboration that strengthens teaching and learning across all academies.

Impact in Action

In just the first two weeks of the school year, PLI provided a wide range of professional learning opportunities, reaching educators across programs. Early data shows:

  • High levels of participation and engagement in live sessions.
  • Positive feedback from educators on the relevance and usefulness of content.
  • Immediate application of strategies in planning, as reported in reflections and coaching conversations.

Professional Learning Data August 2025

This early success demonstrates the power of customized professional learning to accelerate both educator growth and student achievement.

Learn More About Our Approach

At Visions, we honor the professionalism of our educators by ensuring professional learning is relevant, responsive, and respectful of diverse learning styles. To do this, we draw on:

  • Adult Learning Theory – recognizing that educators learn best through collaboration, practice, and reflection.
  • Instructional Best Practices (IBPs) – evidence-based strategies proven to engage students and support learning.
  • PLC Frameworks – providing structures for collective teacher efficacy and shared accountability.
  • Continuous Feedback – gathering input from staff to ensure sessions meet their needs and build on their expertise.

This commitment ensures that professional learning at Visions is not only informative but also transformative—equipping our educators with the tools, strategies, and confidence to make an impact every day. 

Sharing Our Story at CSDC

This fall, a few of Visions’ PLI Department staff will be presenting at the California Charter Schools Development Center (CSDC) Conference, showcasing our approach to in-house professional learning and highlighting how we build systems that honor educators while driving student success. This opportunity reflects both the innovation happening at Visions and the growing recognition of our model across the state. You can learn more about our specific session HERE.

Professional learning at Visions: Designed here. Delivered here. For our staff, our students, and our future.