How an LA School Co-Founder is Supporting Underserved Students in Their Journey to Success
Innovative Educational Initiative Aims to Empower Underserved Students
In a significant move to support historically underserved students, Erin Whalen has co-founded Da Vinci RISE High School, following a $10 million grant from the nationwide XQ Super Schools initiative. This unique educational institution, located in Santa Monica, is dedicated to providing flexible learning opportunities tailored to the needs of its students.
As the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the Da Vinci Schools Network, Whalen’s commitment to lifting up students facing challenges is at the heart of Da Vinci RISE. The school offers a learning environment that emphasizes real-world projects and essential skills for various career paths.
“I think education is the perfect vantage point to support a person in actualizing who they are and truly becoming the best version of themselves,” Whalen remarked.
Many attendees of Da Vinci RISE have navigated significant hardships, including housing instability and foster care, which can disrupt academic success. The educators and staff at RISE are dedicated to helping students overcome these obstacles.
“RISE was originally founded to serve students at the margins,” said Naomi Lara, Principal of RISE. “Every student has a group of trusted adults who know them personally. We learn their needs, their triggers, their passions, and interests, allowing us to create an environment where they feel they belong.”
Whalen’s vision for a school tailored to meet the needs of at-risk youth became a reality when he and his colleagues applied for the XQ Super Schools challenge. “We submitted to a large nationwide challenge called XQ Super Schools. There were over 700 applicants, and here come two 20-somethings with a big dream to create a school that was designed for people that matter to them. And through that submission, we ended up getting $10 million over five years to create RISE,” he explained.
Since its inception, Whalen has expanded his reach, now overseeing nearly 3,000 students across five Southern California schools. His colleagues acknowledge the profound impact he has on students, particularly those who struggle with self-belief.
“He looks out for every student, particularly the ones who don’t believe in themselves. He finds a way to highlight their potential, and it happens,” said Diane Feldman, Theatrical Director at RISE. “He means joy. He means heart. He is the epitome of what a human being should be.”
Whalen believes that empowering young people to critically analyze their world can transform their lives for the better. “I think our students at Da Vinci RISE represent the future; they represent the possibility because they live every day in the raw and authentic reality that they have never had enough,” he stated. “Their voices in rooms and their perspectives speak for the underdog—those who have been marginalized. With leaders like that coming down the pipeline, I know the world will shift, allowing voices once overlooked to cause meaningful societal change.”
