Embracing a Bright Future: Making Waves Academy Celebrates Class of 2023 at Decision Day
by Making Waves Education Foundation
The Making Waves Academy Class of 2023 is ready to make waves.
On May 6, the Academy community gathered in the school’s gymnasium for Senior Send-Off, an annual tradition celebrating national College Decision Day. Turns out, we have a lot to celebrate!
Decision Day is a day of pride, honoring soon-to-be-graduates who have chosen a four-year university, community college, certificate or trade program, or career path. Decision Day showcases unwavering support for our students as they make decisions that shape their future.
Following tradition, each senior steps forward to center court, shares their plans, and rings a celebratory cowbell, while their teachers, and classmates cheer them on.
Ready for the Future
With graduation just around the corner, Making Waves Academy seniors – known as the ’20th Wave’ – are set to embark on the next chapter of their lives. This year we are excited to share that every Making Waves Academy senior who applied to a four-year college was granted admittance to at least one, fulfilling our promise that every student has the opportunity to attend a four-year college in California .
So, what does the future hold for the class of 2023? Students shared a range of post-secondary plans, with most graduating students planning to attend four-year or two-year community colleges.
Their plans span across attending renowned institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, University of California Los Angeles, University of California Berkeley, University of Southern California, San Francisco State University, Santa Clara University, and University of California Davis–just to name a few. Others have chosen to embark on fulfilling careers, join the military, or pursue vocational training. The 20th Wave includes students accepted to all nine undergraduate University of California (UC) campuses, several California State University (CSU) campuses, and a variety of public and private two-year and four-year institutions.
Every Making Waves Academy senior who applied to a four-year college was granted admittance to at least one, fulfilling our promise that every student has the opportunity to attend a four-year college in California
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Among our exceptional seniors, we have a Posse Scholar who earned a full-tuition scholarship to Lehigh University, along with two full-tuition scholarships to Johns Hopkins University. Furthermore, we proudly announce an Ivy League commitment to Barnard College, Columbia University. Additionally, an impressive 31 seniors will be attending a UC, while 27 seniors have secured spots at CSU campuses, pursuing majors such as Business, Kinesiology, Communications, Nursing, Fashion Apparel Design and Merchandising. Moreover, seven seniors have committed to attending community colleges to embark on a trade or transfer pathway, while one senior is pursuing a military career and another senior is pursuing a union apprenticeship.
Through Making Waves Education Foundation’s college and career success program, Academy graduates have the unique opportunity to receive coaching and scholarships to support them on their path to college graduation.
“We are so proud of the resilience of the 20th Wave. They re-set historical levels of academic achievement, college admissions, and early career pathways. We are excited about the ways they will recycle their success in the community for years to come.”, said Alton B. Nelson, Jr., CEO of Making Waves Academy. The Academy was recently recognized by U.S. News as a top high school in the U.S., California, and the Bay Area, listed among the top 4.5% of high schools in the U.S.
It Takes a Village
Behind each student stands a dedicated team of career counselors, advisors, teachers, and staff who tirelessly navigate pathways for success. From guiding students through their classes to assisting with enrollment deposits and navigating financial aid, the Making Waves community is thrilled to help turn our students’ dreams into reality.
Making Waves Education Foundation CEO Patrick O’Donnell shared, “I’m really excited for the 20th Wave! They accomplished so much at Making Waves Academy and now they’re starting an amazing new chapter in their lives as they pursue their college and career dreams. For students in the 20th Wave who are joining our college and career success program, we look forward to partnering with them on their path to college graduation!”
About Making Waves Academy
Making Waves Academy is a public charter school committed to rigorously and holistically preparing students in grades 5-12 from Richmond, California, and the surrounding areas for college, career, and life success. The school’s enrollment stands at more than 1,100 students and 100% of its graduates meet the “a-g” requirements for admission to University of California and California State University campuses.