Dear Superintendent Diaz and Members of the PUSD Board of Education, Aveson Charter School is implementing an exciting and innovative K-12 model that is changing students' lives. We respectfully request that you allow this ground breaking work to continue by renewing Aveson's lease at the 1919 E. Pinecrest site in Altadena. Personalized Learning Aveson's educational program is based in part on personalized learning, a concept which recognizes that students learn differently and deserve a learning environment that meets their individual needs. Aveson endeavors to provide the right instruction for the right student at the right time. Multi-age groupings are a key to this model, where students receive instruction based on their level of academic achievement, not their age. The K-12 setting facilitates flexibility across all grade levels, including the middle and upper grades. At the same time, students can contribute to classroom achievement by becoming peer tutors in their strongest subjects. This boosts camaraderie in a small learning environment. Likewise, the K-12 context becomes a professional learning community for teachers who are encouraged to share knowledge on how best to meet student needs across grade levels and subject areas. Social Leadership Aveson also places very high value on developing social leadership skills. Come to campus any day and see upper school and elementary students interacting in a myriad of ways. Upper school students learn about the culinary arts and food production. They help serve home-cooked lunch to students of all ages every day. Upper schoolers help young students at the lunch table, on the playground and as teachers' aides in classrooms. Students of all ages gather in multi-age villages once a month to promote relationships and learning across age groups. Big kids become mentors and role models. All students share a set of guiding principles and a stand-up pledge that affirm our belief in the value of community building: every person, regardless of age, has a role to play and is important. Aveson Charter School is providing this vital public service to students from all social and economic groups within Pasadena Unified School District and beyond. This education model is unique not only within PUSD, but on a statewide and national level. It gives parents a choice and it is working. Aveson's K-5 and 6-12 students earned the highest API scores in the elementary and secondary categories, respectively, during the school's very first year of operation. Hundreds of families are touring the campus and participating in our annual admissions lottery, even though we have very few open spots available each year. More importantly, Aveson students themselves not only feel they have a voice, but they understand why learning is so critical to them individually and collectively. We ask that you allow this innovative K-12 model to reach its full potential and to thrive. Remaining on a single school site is crucial to this endeavor. Please vote to continue Aveson's lease at the current 1919 E. Pinecrest site. As Aveson students frequently say, lives are changing at this school in so many exciting ways. Sincerely, Supporters of Aveson Charter School