Overview
Making Waves Academy is a tuition-free public charter school for grades 5–12 in Richmond, California, offering UC/CSU A-G college-prep coursework and holistic student support to historically underserved students. The school combines rigorous academics with social-emotional learning and early career exploration, starting in middle school, and prepares Wave-Makers for college and future careers. It is funded and maintained by the Making Waves Education Foundation, with operations supported by public charter funding and substantial foundation grants, including from the John H. and Regina K. Scully Foundation. After graduation, students receive ongoing college and career assistance, scholarships, and financial literacy guidance through the Making Waves Foundation to help them complete degrees with little or no debt.
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Simplify's take
What believers are saying
- Applications rose 5.1% in 2026, the first increase since 2019.
- MWA won $216,377 in A-G grant funding to lift CSU and UC eligibility.
- LCAP projects $28.5 million revenue, including $8.5 million local funds and strong philanthropic support.
What critics are saying
- Ronald Guinto's abuse settlement and Anessa Gower's 29-count case scarred MWA's brand.
- Middle-school demand still constrains growth: 2026 lottery offered only 143 new seats.
- WASC renewal and strategic model shifts in 2026 expose execution risk across college-career programming.
What makes Making Waves Academy unique
- Richmond campus-owned charter ties academics, counseling, and scholarships into one pipeline.
- Five-year charter renewal passed unanimously in December 2024, extending operations through June 2030.
- March 2026 data show 93% staff intent to return and 100% central-office retention.
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