Annual Report 2017-2018

OUR BRIGHT FUTURE program

“The Institute Model holds such promise, not just for your school but for others as well.” — JOHN C. GULLA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE EDWARD E. FORD FOUNDATION

Driving Wildwood forward is a steadfast commitment to providing our students with the best college preparatory progressive program in Los Angeles—where progressive is defined as the intersection of best practice and research. Wildwood is a hub for creating programs so different — and so successful — that we are changing the way education is delivered, and this past year was no exception. We are one of four recipients of the prestigious Edward E. Ford Foundation Leadership Grant, the sole awardee in the Western United States. The award will be used to support the expansion of the Institute Model program and launch the second of three academic institutes organized and run by students—the Wildwood Institute for Social Good and Community Leadership. This is the second major grant the school has received from the foundation in the past three years. The first, awarded in 2015, provided seed money for the school’s internationally acclaimed Wildwood Institute for STEM Research and Development (WISRD). As part of the school’s K-12 Global Citizenship initiative, our Wildwood Wolves collaborated to achieve meaningful community impact. The Human Rights Activism Fair engaged students in critical issues, including homelessness in Los Angeles, U.S. farm labor rights,

and genocide awareness. Our middle and upper school students tackled the urgency of environmental sustainability by building on and implementing the Wildwood Sustainability Plan launched last year. Second graders and 9th graders engaged in a cross-campus unit on worldwide access to education in the “Crossover Project.” The Wildwood community shined on all fronts this year. Our girls’ varsity soccer team went undefeated, and our middle and upper schools sent at least one team from each sport to playoff competition. Wildwood’s K-12 visual and performing arts program excelled, with students showcasing their many talents across multiple venues. The 5th Annual Wildwood Film Festival at the ArcLight Theater was bigger than ever. The list of accomplishments for our “Wolves Making Waves” goes on. One of Wildwood’s core strengths is our flexibility—a willingness to adapt to changing times and to our students’ needs. Our programs continued to put that strength on display this year, and we could not be prouder of our exceptional student, faculty, and staff achievements.

14 | REPORT ON GENEROSITY 2017-2018