Overview

Making Waves Academy is a tuition-free public charter school for grades 5–12 in Richmond, California, offering college-preparatory, A-G-aligned coursework and holistic student support for historically underserved students. It combines rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, and career readiness with work-based learning starting in middle school, supported by a campus funded and maintained by the Making Waves Education Foundation and public charter funding complemented by foundation grants. The school differentiates itself through a strong equity focus, early career exploration, professional skill-building, and a post-graduation program of coaching, scholarships, and financial literacy via the Foundation. Its goal is to close opportunity gaps by helping Wave-Makers gain admission to four-year colleges and complete degrees with little debt, paving pathways to sustainable higher education and careers.