Magnolia Public Schools | STEAM Schools | STEM | Charter High Schools | Middle Schools | Elementary

Los Angeles, CA – Magnolia Public Schools announced today that longtime public education leader, businesswoman and former Los Angeles Unified School District Board president Caprice Young has been named CEO and Superintendent of Magnolia Public Schools, a network of 11 high-performing public charter schools that serves close to 4,000 students in Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Clara and San Diego counties.

Young takes over the organization in the midst of positive academic accomplishments. Magnolia Public Schools has been regularly recognized as having some of the top-performing schools in the nation, with Magnolia Science Academy 1–Reseda ranked among the top high schools in the country by both U.S. News and World Report and the Washington Post in 2012. Young’s immediate goals are to ensure that the organization’s operations are efficient, effective and transparent, and to continue to provide the high-quality public education emphasizing science, technology and math that Magnolia is known for.

“Magnolia Public Schools has for more than a decade provided a top-notch education for thousands of kids, and I am humbled and honored to be asked to lead this organization,” said Young, who assumed the role of CEO on Tuesday. “My vision is to enable Magnolia students to become academically achieving, creatively empowered, technologically fearless and civically engaged, and this is the best place for me to do that. I am truly excited to work with a team of dedicated teachers and to help lead this group of high-achieving schools into its next phase of growth and success.”

“Magnolia Public Schools strives to keep improving and Dr. Young recognizes that to continue to positively impact our students and our communities, Magnolia must be academically and operationally strong,” said Magnolia Board President Umit Yapanel. “We are taking an important next step by having a nationally renowned charter school leader at the helm of our schools. We look forward to supporting Dr. Young as she works closely with our teachers, families and communities to make sure that our public schools are some of the strongest in the country.”

Young brings with her a resume of accomplishments as a charter school leader, national organization founder, and public servant. She previously served as president of Los Angeles Unified’s school board, where she approved the first charter for Magnolia Public Schools in 2002. She then spearheaded the creation of the California Charter Schools Association in 2003. During her five-year tenure as president and CEO of the state’s charter membership organization, Young helped educators create more than 300 new charter schools, championed quality standards for the movement and helped the education establishment recognize the vital contribution of public charter schools to the growing efforts to reform public education.

“Caprice’s appointment as CEO of Magnolia Public Schools is great news for an organization that has been providing a high-quality public education for students in Los Angeles and across the state for more than a decade,” said Jed Wallace, president and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association. “Caprice is a proven national leader with an incredible track record of positive impact for kids as she’s helped strengthen and grow charter organizations. Caprice can take Magnolia to the next level by providing the schools with the great leadership they need to grow while maintaining quality.”

Young also served as turnaround CEO at Inner City Education Foundation Public Schools (ICEF) in Los Angeles, saving the network of schools from imminent closure. She was also previously the Vice President for Education at the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, and most recently served as president of the Education Growth Group, an advisory group focusing on spurring innovation in education.

Young plans to build upon Magnolia’s academic track record, and to grow the organization to meet its current demand – most Magnolia schools show wait lists of more than 100 kids. Success in STEM education will be a particular focus, guided by Young’s background in technology and deep personal belief in the benefits of a rigorous science education.

Magnolia Public Schools was founded in 2002 to graduate students who are scientific thinkers that contribute to the global community as socially responsible and educated members of society. Magnolia currently operates 10 public charter schools across California. Magnolia’s educational approach is based on the conviction that science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is essential in improving our modern society’s knowledge base and adaptability to the fast pace of ever-changing technological advancements. Visit www.magnoliapublicschools.org.