Soledad Enrichment Action Charter High

This institution is milking the state of badly needed funds, and these funds could be used for much better schools, schools that would use funds morally. The site I am particularly referring to as corrupt and criminal is the Norwalk school. The president of this school and entire institution is Cesar Calderon. Calderon is completely incompetent. He allows students to smoke marijuana in the classrooms and bathrooms, endlessly abuse teachers, tag walls, destroy school and state property, gang bang, engage in racism, and basically run the entire show. He completely turns his face from the illegal activities at the Norwalk school, which is located on Firestone Blvd. His wife is also privy to this; she works there and helps run the zoo.Please investigate this school for massive abuse. I was a teacher there and have first hand experience of all the noted activities. The state taxpayers are entitled to a much better return on their dollars. This institution continuously churns out terrible API scores and it needs to be held accountable for it careless use of state funds!

This is not a school its a zoo, has anyone ever inspected these sites? We are asked to just "grade" students and pass them. It is just insane, the director is a horrible person and is never arround. We dont have supplies and there is no security. It is horrible that they just keep funding this so called school.

I had the opportunity to work at SEA . Yes, the kids are challenging but there are many teachers, staff members and administrators who are dedicated and make a difference in the students' lives. I have had the chance to "work" with crappy teachers like Mike. It sounds like was he was one of the teachers who couldn't handle the realities of the students who attend SEA. He and the other so called "teacher" need to go back to where they belong, teaching preschoolers in some upper class neighborhood or back to their dream world where all kids are white, middle class and perfect.

SEA is a safe haven for youth at risk. SEA Charter is a community day school that provides students with the opportunity to gain credits to acquire a high school diploma. Students are instructed in a nuturing enviroment. SEA staff work hard to insure that all students have the capacity to demonstrate the attained skills and knowlegde as required by ed codes. SEA maintains a safe and secure enviroment that fosters student achievement.
Cesar Calderon is the executive director of SEA. Cesar is an outstanding individual who has dedicated his life to save the lives of youth in the Los Angeles county.

SEA offers students who have not been successful in a traditional high school an opportunity to succeed. Our students come form a variety of situations for example: from being behind in credits, to being pregnant, to returning from jail. We also take students who have been expelled from their own school. We offer a second chance to these students in earning their diploma and perhaps, a chance in life.

I have worked with SEA for many years and have found our youth to be among the most intelligent and creative youth that I have encountered. They are also among the most challenging.

It is a "privilege" to work with them and to be a part of the SEA family.

Staff who work for SEA have to be staff who are truely committed who are willing and able to work with these special youth. They are oftentimes individuals, who through no fault of their own were born into a society of poverty and violence. Many of their family issues include gang affiliation, drug addiction, domestic violence, poverty etc.....We are the last chance for them to complete their high school education. Just two weeks ago, we graduated some 100 youth who have turned around their lives and who are ready to go on to bigger and better things. Many are already enrolled in colleges. They feel so proud of themselves.

How odd, that the administrators of this schoo are the one's giving themselves possitive reviews. Margaret and Elisa when was the last time you met with a parent or student? How many times to you visit your own schools? How much do you have to threaten us to be quiet. If what you are saying makes you feel better then go on believing your own story. Shame on you!

SEA STARTED OFF WITH THE MOST HEARTFELT MISSION, THE MOTHERS, PROBATION AND GANG INTERVENTION SPECIALST ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO SAVE OUR YOUTH, I HAVE SEEN FIRST HAND, AND I FEEL THE MISSION HAS GONE, FROM SAVING LIVES TO MEETING THE ADA QUOTA, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THOSE NUMBERS YOUR ARE NOT DOING YOUR JOB, I FEEL SEA HAS WONDERFUL TEACHERS, BUT THE T.A'S ARE RUNNING THERE OWN PROGRAM, SOME T.A'S DETERMINED WHEATHER A STUDENT GETS KICKED OUT OF SEA OR IF THEY SHOULD EVEN RETURN. THEY MAKE THREATS TO THE STUDENTS. WHO ARE ON PROBATION, THESE T.A'S KNOW WHO THEY ARE, THEY DONT CARE ABOUT THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS OR EVEN KNOW HOW TO SUPERVISE THEM IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER, THEY NEED TRAINING ON HOW TO WORK WITH AT RISK KIDS, SOME EVEN HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE KIDS, SEA SHOULD HAVE ADMIN, STAFF POP IN ON THEM UNANNOUNCED AND SEE WHAT THEY ARE REALLY DOING, MOST AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS WERE WRITTEN DOWN ON A CALENDER, BUT NEVER REALLY CARRIED OUT. STUDENTS ARE LED TO SIGN THE SIGN IN SHEETS ANDRELEASED TO GO HOME, NOT THINKING ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES IF A STUDENT GOT JUMPED OR EVEN SHOT GOING HOME, THERE PARENTS ARE LED TO THINK THAT THE STUDENT IS IN A AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM WHEN INACTUALITY THERE STUDENT WAS SENT HOME, BUT ACCORDING TO THE SIGN IN SHEET THEY ARE IN A AFTERSHOOL PROGRAM. REMEMBER ALL OF THIS IS DUE TO THE PRESSURES OF MAKING THE ADA QUOTA, KIDS COMPLAINED ALL THE TIME THAT THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM DID NOT HELP THEM AT ALL. IF ONLY MOST OF SEA HAD THE MISSION IN THERE HEART, THEY HAVE A HABIT OF FORGETTING THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH THEM FOR MANY MANY YEARS AND TREAT THEM LIKE NOBODY'S. THAT'S A SHAME

It seems to me that no one is criticizing the kids nor mission of S.E.A. -both of which are impressive and inspiring. What's at issue is the management of these schools - which most definitely needs improvement.

I've worked at and have had the opportunity to observe several sites and, more often than not, the teachers were dedicated and talented - as teachers; but (not surprisingly) ill-equipped as administrators. What they and the kids lacked was proper admin support to help learning reach its full potential. Teachers and T.A.'s are NOT administrators and should not be expected to do admin work. S.E.A. staff, to use a term used for the kids, 'run their own program.' And, as with the kids, this has consequences. This is, however, what S.E.A. staff are compelled to do because of a dire lack of effective admin. leadership.

S.E.A. admin seems to have a 'hands-off' attitude toward the day-to-day management of the schools. Rare and short site visits yield nothing substantive or authentic. This disconnect is critical, but neglected.

Please don't use the mission and students of S.E.A. to obfuscate the real issue. Again, no one is criticizing either. Inept management has hid behind them for too long. It's entirely within reason to criticize S.E.A. without criticizing its mission or kids. Please don't get this twisted. If we all want to do right by the kids and the mission, let's work on an honest assessment of management.

Furthermore, to 'proud faculty': to say that a teacher (with whom you admit you did not even work!) is 'crappy' and would prefer to work with 'preschoolers in some upper class neighborhood or back to their dream world where all kids are white, middle class and perfect' is myopic at best, and racist at worst. I've not worked with nor know Mr. Rojas, so cannot speak to his intentions. Neither should anyone else.

Our SEA Administration has no educational background that anyone knows of. Cesar Calderon doesn't, yet he is trusted to run this large organization. Its not our teachers, look into our administration and you will see how crappy they run things. We always wonder why they are in charge of this school system I am just amazed on how this has gone on so long.

This school is a great idea. But, for the most part it serves not as a school, but as a holding cell to keep kids off the street. After working at SEA, I have come to understand that data is of paramount importance to SEA administration. The published AYP information only reflects the performance of those students who were in attendance during the first months of school and continued through the testing period in the spring. Because these students have been "normed" and subsequently identified as the scores that "count," they, sadly, receive the very best SEA has to offer. Even to them, however, SEA doesn't offer much in the way of teaching, innovation, or creativity. SEA's stated mission is awesome and the students, while rough, are often eager to learn and hungry for rich, meaningful educational experiences. These are the kids walking the fine line between a second chance and disaster. They are the kids that need the very best educational opportunities we have to offer. Unfortunately, SEA is just not providing those opportunities. So much focus is put on (woefully ineffective) test prep that resources are not put toward rich, meaningful, multi-modality academic and vocational instruction. Every school could use more money and more resources. But, SEA seems to squander and misallocate the resources they do have. SEA touts after-school and vocational programs. But, once the attendance sheets are signed for these programs, students are either sent home, put in front of a movie, or handed a packet. SEA has identified a great need but has absolutely failed to meet that need.

Pieso que Cesar Calderon es una persona la cual se ha despojado de muchas prioridades en su vida y la de su familia dando el cien por ciento para dar a estos jovenes una oportunidad. Como, luchando contra aquellos que lo unico que les importa es poder poder poder fama y dinero. Mientras que Cesar Calderon esta preparado emocinal, moral,espiritual y con mucho etica y profesionalismo,con mucho trabajo se ha propuesto metas las cuales se han echo una realidad en Sea, es una persona dinamica creativa lleno de esperanza de que lo desintegrado buelba a ser integrado. Pienso que si el esta en esa posicion es por que la ha ganado con onestidad,esfuerzo, y boluntad de hacer de Sea un lugar de oportunidades para todos aquellos que son rechazados por la sociedad. Pienso que Cesar Calderon ha echo un buen trabajo y lo seguira haciendo mientras tenga el apollo de la gente que enrealidad conoce el deseo de su corazon. El cual es ganar un espacio en esta sociedad que es tan cruel para aquellos jobenes que han cido desechados y marginado por ella. hay muchas cosas que se pueden decir de este lider,sus suenos y metas que Desde pequeno ha sido una persona inpecable que todo lo que ha echo ha sido ser util a la sociedad. Si de alguin hay que hacer una pelicula es de este hombre. mientras que criminales son vistos en peliculas redactando las fechorias de sus actos. A Cesar Calderon lo vituperan por hacer un bien a la sociedad reintegrando a los que fueron desintegrados por ella.

To all those people with negative comments: This school made all the difference in my life and to the teachers and faculty at SEA hollywood who showed me they really cared about me and understood what challenges in life I was facing, Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

TO ALL NEGETIVE COMMENTS. SEA HAS NOT ONLY CHANGED MY LIFE BUT HAS CHANGED OTHER LIFES TOO THIS SCHOOL ISNT BAD AT ALL THEY TRY THEIR BEST TO TEACH US ALL JUST BECAUSE THESE SCHOOLS ARE FILLED UP WITH GANGBANGERS OR SO CALLED LOW LIFES IT DOESNT MEAN ANYTHING WE ARE ALL THE SAME AND HAVE THE SAME KNOWLEDGE. I DO THANK THIS SCHOOL FOR CHANGING MY LIFE AND MAKING ME BECOME A BETTER PERSON AND PUSHING ME TO DO GOOD THEIR IS ALOT OF OPPORTUNITIES IN THESE SCHOOLS NO LIE I HAVE JOINED IN A FEW PROGRAMS THAT HAVE HELPED ME OUT A WHOLE LOT AND ITS ALL BECAUSE OF SEA. SEA MADE MY LIFE BETTER FOR THE FACT THAT THE TEACHERS HAVE HELPED ME GET IT ALL TOGETHER I USED TO BE A STRAIGHT F STUDENT AND NOW I AM A STRAIGHT A AND B STUDENT - SEA FIRESTONE STUDENT

I have firsthand knowledge of at least 100 great charter schools throughout Los Angeles County but I am yet to find one that focuses its enrollment practices exclusively to serving probation, courts referred, expelled or drop out high school students. I am also yet to find one charter school that provides such a great benefits and compensation package to Teachers as provided by SEA, however, working with such students is not easy. I wondered why SEA administratorsdid not choose to work with an easier student population like other charter schools. I think that no school is perfect and SEA is not the exception, however, although my calling wasn’t to work with high risk youth, I commend them for their efforts in saving lives and an entire generation of youth who would otherwise be without alternatives. I think the criticism outline here is unfairly misrepresenting the value the SEA Charter School represents in our communities.

Imagine a classroom full of high school students who have stopped taking school seriously since 6th grade. What you call “Mission Impossible” I call my mission. I have seen my share of success stories since starting as a substitute teacher back in 2001. As a regular teacher at SEA East LA for the past 9 years, I can recall hundreds of students who have made measurable gains academically, physically, socially and emotionally. Many of these students could care less a few months earlier only to buckle down once they know what is at stake and acquire the necessary skills to pass the CAHSEE. Given that we cater to primarily opportunity transfers from other schools, I need not tell you how difficult our job is. But I am also not too keen on collecting a paycheck from a sinking ship. This boat is not sinking, and I invite anyone to come see our program at East LA. You will not see a perfect school. You will see passionate staff members fighting apathy and ignorance on a daily basis. On bad days it can be ugly. On good days, it is downright beautiful. Seven months ago, I invited my entire student body of 90 students to train for the LA Marathon during PE class. On March 21, six students completed the LA Marathon along with me. Some people may not like those numbers. I do.

I agree with Charles. SEA is a school with the best mission in the world to give a second chance to our youth that were kicked out by the regular school---that is a very big challenge to face.

We really have many talented teachers, who are giving their best effort to help our students. It is not true that we just grade our students. As a teacher you should have your own system in computing your grades.

We are also trying our best to teach harder everyday in order to increase the number in our performace.

SEA also have many programs for our students, like tha peace jam, NFTE, ADL etc, that our students enjoy to do. I love the academic freedom that I enjoy in SEA, because that is an opportunity for me to be more creative especially in dealing with our unique students.

SEA management for me is the best. They support the teachers and every staff in every way. Of course they have to encourage us to have high ADA. Every charter school is like that. But I also agree that SEA gives the best benefits for their employees.

SEA for me is trying to do their best to achieve their beautiful mission, let us work together to serve our youth through SEA.

SEA is not a perfect organization--There is no perfect organization.

But SEA is another organization that is trying to give education to those "unwanted" youth that were spit out by system. We deserve a recognition on that.

When I first arrived at SEA I thought I can't make it but with the supports of my colleagues and administrators, I was able to survive until now. Teaching these kind of students is indeed a challenge. The society may consider our students as a threat but we, the teachers, still look at them as the future of our country. Quotation said, "Teach the students today what you want the future will be". I am not a resident of this country but I care for it. The simplest way I can show my concern for the future is to teach my students to the best I can. They may not be the best engineers or doctors someday, but I know that with the caring and concern the whole SEA family is giving to them will prepare them a better future and help them choose the better decisions in life. I know Im not GOD, I can't make miracles neither I don't have magic to change things perfectly, but I have my heart and skills I can offer to my students to guide them towards to a better life. Test results are also basis but everyday encounter, making and ensuring every students that pass through our classroom will recieve the best treatment they deserve is more rewarding. I am not the best teacher, Im still learning but I always put my trust to the administrator because I know, that like me, they also want the best for our students, for this country.

I am a former participate of SEA's Gang Intervention Program. SEA has open the door to great opportunity to improve my life and has in courage me to a higher education. Not only have I seen the results in me but I have seen the same effect within my peers.

My neighbor Moises was in fifth grade, he was eleven and lived only with his mother. He joined the gang. A few months later, Moises was shot in the head. Why an eleven year old had to end like this? How could anyone had helped him?

Every student that is in my class is one Moises asking for help and guidance.

SEA is the place where troubled youth can find an opportunity to know that they are worthy. Lets keep helping one Moises at a time

Mr. Piszton stated my feelings and beliefs so eloquently, so please reread his words. I invite you to also visit my site, Girls Academy, where there is no tagging and no drug use in class. Look at our classroom walls, and you will see evidence of project-based learning that is present in all subjects. Ask the students about our many guest speakers, such as an Atomic Bomb survivor, a Superior Court judge, a firefighter, an immigration attorney, a troupe of Shakepearean actors, an author, multiple entrepreneurs, executives, bankers, and college representatives. Next ask about how students do cross-curricular preparation for education field trips that include the Los Angeles Opera, the Los Angeles Harbor, the Queen Mary, the Magic Castle, the Japanese American National Museum, the Griffith Observatory, and more. Then please ask our students about their activities. For example, recently we sent two students to Sacramento, where they interacted with our State Legislature. And just last week my class participated in a NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) competition; each student had completed an entire plan for a small business, and three finalists presented before corporate judges. All won cash prizes, and one will continue to the regional semi-finals. We are especially proud that one of our past winners went all the way to New York, where she was awarded $5000! To add to our success, our Entrepreneurship class was featured on The PBS TV show called Bizkid$! Finally, on June 8th, twelve of our students will be responsibly serving at the election polls as Student Poll Workers. In conclusion, we are proud of our students, and how they experience success and show that they can be agents of change in a world that needs them. Adding to the words of Mr. Piszton, we are not sinking a ship ... We are building one!

In education, as in politics, simplistic analysis serves no one. SEA Charter High School is not a school in any traditional sense. We are 18 – is it 19? — small campuses spread from Long Beach to Pomona. So, to talk about “SEA” is to commit all the errors of generalization.

What all SEA campuses share is the willingness to serve kids who have failed in – or been failed by -- the dysfunction that is public education in urban Southern California. These are the drop outs, ditchers, the expelled; many have enjoyed several of what LAUSD cynically calls “opportunity transfers.” We teach the kids out of camp detention, on probation, and out of rehab. Many are in and out of gangs; just as many are victims of gangs. Few have what most people would call “normal’ home lives. Branded as failures, and alienated by school, they have academic skills at fifth or sixth grade and often as low as second or third grade levels. Neverthess, they were promoted.

SEA is the last stop, and the last chance, to redeem the wreckage of the local public schools. We cannot always succeed, and no one succeeds at this job without commitment, creativity, and a genuine affection for young people.

At my site in East Los Angeles, we do anonymous student surveys on a bi-annual basis where the kids have overwhelmingly described our site as the best school they have been to, with the most dedicated and caring teachers. Again and again, they say they have learned more here than anywhere.

Are we teachers satisfied? Of course not. We three teachers with 90 students are constantly modifying, experimenting, and rethinking how to meet this challenge. Our site is safe, clean, and collegial. Conflict is rare; violence is practically non-existent. We have enjoyed a daily attendance rate of above 95% for five years running. We have rigorous Art and Physical Education programs, with staff and students alike fully participating. We have an organic garden, have built two functional solar ovens, and our students have raised money to buy two cleft palate operations, an obstetric fistula operation, and helped a burned out homeless family have a festive Thanksgiving. Six of our kids just ran the LA Marathon.

There is much work here to be done, to be sure. Right now we are doing a cross curricular, 10 day exploration of the issues surrounding fossil fuels including English Language Development, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The kids will see two films on the issue. Naturally, a lot of attention is being paid to the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. (Interestingly, my own two children, who attend “better” LAUSD schools, have not had the subject so much as mentioned in any class. So much for ‘teachable moments.”)

The answer to SEA’s problems resides in the complete reformation of the urban public school system. Meanwhile, we will continue to do our best to deal with its product.

Whatever negative they say about my school...I believe and still have faith on the SEA Mission and Vision.

Let's face that the fault shouldn't be focus on the administrator, it should start from within the teacher. We are the one who has a first hand experience and in-charge of the students. The question is not what the administrator can do for you as an educator, but what can you do to the students.

I agree that we are working in a difficult and not normal school environment because of the kind of students we have. But if we are just going to know and feel , understand , LOVE and accept what they have been through and are going through then it will not be about our personal needs that we will discover, it is the passion, understanding and the real mission of our profession....

Wherever we go, we cannot find a perfect administration, perfect school, perfect students ... but we can start to create a better future for these youth that needs us....

To those who say bad things about SEA... I think you haven't tried to feel to be a real teacher with a heart.

I am not an American citizen, our former students behavior are far different from here, but I learned to love them, accept them and willing to "teach" them because this is my profession... to watch intently my students..not the administrator.

As a Probation Officer, I know that when a youngster gets in trouble with the law and has been out of school for too long, his/her education options become almost non-existent and SEA School is one of the very few that is willing to give them a chance. Attending their high school graduations is an amazing experience. At graduations I hear students say how at SEA, they were able to catch up on their credits, pass state exams and finally obtain their high school diploma. Most of the graduates, refer to SEA, as being a life saver and the only place where they were given a chance to go back to school and succeed. Especially students from Norwalk, I constantly hear them comment about the school’s strict supervision and uniform requirements. I have dealt with multiple SEA School campuses for more than a decade and I am yet to experience the negative situations mentioned above. The negative commentator, which seems to be the same person in disguise making multiple comments, sounds like a disgruntle former SEA employees who is expressing a lot of anger, bitterness and resentfulness with the only intent to hurt the SEA Organization without regard to how badly we need SEA in our communities. We need more schools like SEA.

Mr. Rojas,
You would be amazed about the Norwalk site that you defined as a zoo in your comment. I’ve been working as math teacher for nine month now, and the way you portrayed this school doesn’t reflect at all the school setting where my colleagues and I provide students with a positive learning environment. You’re very welcome to visit my classroom any time. I’m sorry to hear about your negative experience, but that is history. Our school’s effort to provide at risk students with an opportunity to be around positive role models all year round represents a valuable support for the community. I’m glad that more schools like ours are going to be supported as a result of the current Education policy.

I had 2 boys who attended SEA Charter Schools in Montebello and East Los Angeles, at both sites I saw my boys make a change and make progress. Staff was strict and very professional at all times. At Garfield High, my boys were made fun of by the Dean who was supposed to be there to help them. SEA Fetterly and Montebello worked hard to help my boys get ahead, now 1 is in college and the other on his way to the Air Force!

Mental Health Worker/Mom, Elsa Rocha

Soledad Enrichment Action Schools are good schools for students who need a second chance. Some go there to catch up on their credits while others go there because they are on probation or pregnant. All SEA's schools are different. Norwalk and North Long Beach are tough schools because students tend to be more defiant. Some students decide to graduate from a SEA because they say it is easier than a regular high school. Students do not get any homework.

SEA's schools offer parenting classes. Students receive counseling, drug counseling, sex education, anger management, and job training. Classes consists of no more than 25 students per class so that makes a big difference.

i am a student of sea charter in highland park and i am doing way much better than in regular highschool. the food is way better and i dont have to feel emberassed to ask questions about a subject. i have great teachers and i do all my work! i think this school is great it gives kids another chance to learn istead sending them to camps or juvi..!! we need an education and as far as i know this school is the one for the kids that have trioubles in normal highschool. you can critisize and even make us feel bad but its not like we are going to listen because we like this school and thats all i have to say.. highland park sea!!!!