Da Vinci Schools
Chris Mason is an experienced art teacher and creative consultant with a diverse background in education and the arts. Since August 2013, Chris has worked as a freelance art teacher, providing enrichment art programs for K-8 students across various schools in the Torrance area. In addition to instructing at Da Vinci Schools while coordinating art projects with core curriculum, Chris also offers private art lessons. As the owner of Chris Mason Productions, Chris engages in freelance artwork and storyboarding. Prior experience includes roles as a database manager at ComingSoon.net, graphics designer for a documentary, storyboard artist for television commercials, and various production roles in video production. Education includes a degree from the American Film Institute and recognition as an Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America.
Da Vinci Schools
Da Vinci Schools is a TK-College public charter school network located in Los Angeles, California, United States. Da Vinci Schools are dedicated to preparing students for college completion and 21st century jobs through an interdisciplinary project-based, real-world curriculum. Ninety-eight (98%) of Da Vinci graduates have successfully completed the A-G subject requirements for admission to a University of California or Cal State campus (a rate 51% higher than the State Average). Da Vinci graduates have been accepted to every UC and CSU, and to Stanford, MIT, Yale, Columbia, Brown, Princeton, Dartmouth, Purdue, USC, LMU, and many other prestigious private and public universities across the nation. Da Vinci signature programs and practices include: project-based, real-world learning; career pathways: a small and personalized learning environment where every student is known, seen and valued; strategic public-private partnerships with many innovative industry, higher-ed, and nonprofit leaders; an Internship and Work Experience Program in which high school students gain on-the-job, work experience; and an Early College Program in which students take college classes for credit (at no cost to families) while they simultaneously earn their high school diploma. Dr. David Brown, the former executive director of the WASC Accrediting Commission, said "Da Vinci Schools are among the very finest I've seen." Former CA State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, said "Da Vinci Schools should be a model for other public schools in the state." The Los Angeles Times reported that Da Vinci Schools offer a teaching model that would make Leonardo da Vinci proud.