Latest state results reveal accelerated growth and meaningful progress five years after COVID 

Los Angeles, CA — New California Academic Assessment (CAASPP) data shows that five years after COVID-19 disrupted learning across the nation, Alliance College-Ready Public Schools students are not only growing academically faster than their LAUSD and state peers, but also surpassing both in critical academic areas.

Despite the public charter network serving more low-income students, Alliance scholars continue to outperform their peers in LAUSD and the state. In fact, in 2025, 66.8% of Alliance 11th-grade students were proficient or advanced in ELA, significantly higher than 53.15% of their LAUSD peers and 57% statewide.

While math recovery has been challenging across California, the same Alliance cohort maintained stable performance between 2019 and 2025, while their LAUSD and state peers declined by 1.7%. By 2025, Alliance students outperformed LAUSD (30.3% vs. 26.4%) and were on par with statewide math proficiency.

“For too long, the narrative about our students has never matched their potential. Yet these results reflect our students’ capability and brilliance,” said Alliance CEO Pablo Villavicencio. “Even with many arriving three grade levels behind and still feeling the impact of the pandemic, Alliance students are accelerating, growing faster, and outperforming their LAUSD and statewide peers. That kind of progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when Black and Brown students are surrounded by educators who see them, challenge them, uplift them, and refuse to underestimate what they can achieve.” 

Alliance leaders attribute this sustained progress to a school model centered on belonging, culturally responsive teaching, and multi-year academic supports. 

“We recognize that our job, of course, is to outperform neighborhood schools, but our job is also to outperform the rest of the schools in the state,” said Alliance Patti & Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy AP history teacher Craig Winchell.

 “A scholar comes in at the 6th grade level or 9th grade level in general, they are multiple years behind grade levels on both reading, writing, and math. The Alliance experience for kids is not that we can solve all their problems. Our Alliance experience is that every kid will get a fair shot in these schools and in these classrooms.” 

Many students experience accelerated growth the longer they remain enrolled at Alliance schools, a significant trend as districts navigate long-term post-pandemic impacts.

“A couple of my teachers who have really pushed me are my AP History teacher, Mr. Winchell,” said Alliance Patti & Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy 12th-grade student, Manuel Ceja. He helped me prove to myself that although this seems really difficult, I can achieve success.”

This momentum is not accidental. It’s a powerful reminder that when students of color in Los Angeles’ most marginalized communities are surrounded by the right support and by educators who have a deep belief in their brilliance, they can rise to the occasion. Alliance was built for this moment, and our scholars are showing just how extraordinary they can be.

“There’s not a member on this team who doesn’t see their charge before them. Who doesn’t understand the impact of this work, the real need for this work, and to do it well,” said Alliance Patti & Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy Principal Candice Dagnino.

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About Alliance

Alliance College-Ready Public Schools is one of the largest and most successful nonprofit public charter school networks in the nation, operating 25 high-performing middle and high schools that educate over 12,000 scholars who make up the heart of Los Angeles’ Latine, Black, and recent immigrant communities. Alliance schools have been recognized as among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, the U.S. Department of Education, and the California Department of Education. Since opening our first school in 2004, 96% of Alliance scholars have graduated from high school with a 97% college acceptance rate. We strive to uplift our scholars and their communities by fostering unparalleled educational opportunities that encourage scholarly thought, resilient learning, powerful communication, mind-body wellness, and community advocacy. To learn more, visit www.LAalliance.org.