Welcome from Azizi 24-25
Welcome from Azizi 24-25
At Children’s Community School, “Community” is in our name for a reason—it is the heartbeat of our school and the driving force behind the inclusion and respect we model for our children every day.
I want to extend a profound thank you to our entire community for supporting CCS by generously contributing both your time and your donations. We deeply value our family members, students, and trustees—both past and present—who collectively make CCS such a special, vibrant place to grow.
From the Community Fund, to the Pan Derby, the Celebrate CCS Gala, and the Neal Wrightson Endowment for Financial Aid, as well as Party Books and Restaurant Nights-every gift is meaningful, directly impacting our students today while securing the foundation for those of tomorrow. While financial contributions are essential to our success and an integral part of this annual report, we recognize that our school’s health is sustained by the myriad of ways you show up for us.
I am so grateful for the joyful, dedicated ways our community shows up to support one another and ensure the continued success of our school. Thank you!
Azizi Williams
Head of School
Culture of Giving 24-25
Culture of Giving 24-25
A CULTURE OF GIVING
YOUR SUPPORT BRINGS OUR MISSION TO LIFE
Testimonials 24-25
Testimonials 24-25
COMMUNITY FUND IMPACT
Perspectives from Current Parents
“We contribute to the community fund to give a little bit back for all that CCS has given to our family and our community. CCS goes beyond by fostering intrapersonal and interpersonal abilities along with logical, mathematical, linguistic, kinesthetic, musical, naturalistic, and artistic skills.”
-Evelyn Sanchez
“We give to the CCS Community Fund because 'teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning'. Giving to the CCS Community fund is our family's chance to celebrate the CCS educators who dedicate themselves every day to enabling our children to become sharp and caring individuals. “It takes a big heart to shape little minds”. Making it possible to pay teacher salaries, keeping CCS funded and operational - this goal is a 'no brainer' for us."
-Joelle and Alex
“CCS helped shape who Aurora is becoming and had a lasting impact on our family. That experience led me to join the board, and giving to the Community Fund is one way we help sustain the school that continues to mean so much to us.”
-Tré Wright
“I’m grateful that my son is part of a school that values inclusivity, empathy, and curiosity, and contributing to the Community Fund felt like a meaningful way to support the environment the school has created for its students and families."
-Steven Engle
Financials 24-25
Financials 24-25
THE FINANCIALS
EXPENSES
INCOME
The Community Fund is the heart of Children’s Community School’s philanthropic efforts in which every family is asked to provide an annual donation to the school. Our goal is to achieve 100% participation from our current families, faculty, staff, and board, and we also seek support from grandparents, alumni, and their families. Donations are directly funneled into the current year’s operating budget where they create much of the magic that exists on our campus.
Donors have the option to direct funds towards the following areas:
Fund Our Faculty
Fund Our Facility
Fund Our Arts
Fund our Innovation
Fund or Belonging
Fund Our Financial Aid
Or donors can fund the area of greatest need.
Below are a few examples of programs supported by the funds raised:
Fund our faculty
In 2024-25, the CCS faculty flew to Columbus, Ohio to participate in the Progressive Education Network Conference. Faculty visited schools, heard from speakers on progressive pedagogy and made connections with faculty from across the country. In addition, some faculty members attended a training on project-based learning and documenting student work at High Tech High in San Diego. These visits sparked ideas and conversations that impacted the program at CCS.
Fund our Facility
CCS invested in its infrastructure by updating air conditioning units, installing a visitor screening security system, and updating the floors in the middle yard classrooms.
Fund Our Arts
Special guest artists were invited to share their talents with CCS students in 2024-25. Gerald Rivers, along with his colleagues and the Peace Players Drummers, performed and shared about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Fund Our Financial Aid
The 2045-25 admissions season resulted in the largest fiscal commitment to financial aid in CCS’s history. Over 48% of our students receive some amount of tuition assistance, and we granted over $1.2 million in financial aid to affirm our dedication to economic diversity.
Community Fund Giving Tree
Each leaf on our Giving Tree represents one Community Fund donor family.
Truly every gift to the Fund- no matter the size- has an impact on our school. If you take just one out, the picture would not be complete.
Class of 2025
Class of 2025
Through every life studies unit, every community song, every overnight trip, and maybe even a dunk or two in the Pan Derby tank, The class of 2025 has grown into thoughtful, curious, and compassionate people. The kind of people who know how to think for themselves, stand up for what matters, and care deeply about their community. It is a privilege to witness their growth. We know the lessons and memories gathered here at Children’s Community School will continue to shape them long after they leave us.
Thank you to the families of the Class of 2025 for donating funds to support a beautiful restriping of the blacktop with an added CCS logo. This gift is a lasting legacy of your time spent together in community. This new space inspires school pride and provides a wonderful place for students to play for years to come. As your children move on to their next chapter, thank you for leaving such a meaningful mark on our campus.
The Class of 2025 Matriculated to:
Campbell Hall
Chaminade
Country School
Flintridge Preparatory School
Immaculate Heart
Oakwood
Tree Academy
Waverly
Westridge
Board of Trustees 24-25
Board of Trustees 24-25
Message from the Board
As an alumni parent and committed supporter of progressive education, it has been my sincere honor and pleasure to continue to serve as Chair of the Board for Children’s Community School. Throughout its 40+ year history, CCS has expanded its footprint, overcome challenges, and most of all, prioritized education for democracy. Despite the ebbs and flows of the world around us, our community remains steadfast and strong.
The Board of Directors volunteers tirelessly on behalf of the school to ensure that we are always exploring new ways to further CCS’ reach and strengthen its foundation. It is purposeful, invigorating work, primarily because we know we are working in concert with a dedicated faculty, staff, and parent community that gives of themselves just as comprehensively.
This year’s Book of Gratitude explores all the ways that giving is part of our culture, and is the key aspect that confirms our future. On behalf of the board, thank you for all that you have dedicated to Children’s Community School this past year.
Wendy Wallace
Chair, Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees
2024-2025
Dave Bailey
Elizabeth Camacho
Francesca Fartaj
Angela Goss
Jay Goss, Treasurer
Tom Henschel
Michael Lee
Kostas Sgoutas
David Straus
Irene Tsatsos
Bert Voorhees
Wendy Wallace, Chair
Tré Wright, Vice Chair
Alejandra Zamorano
Appreciation 24-25
Appreciation 24-25
2024-2025
Volunteerism is at the heart of our school.
This aspect of giving comes in many forms- classroom helpers, admissions ambassadors, committee chairs, on-the-ground volunteers, book shelvers, fundraising reps, and many more vital roles.
Thank you to every member of our community who raised their hands and donated their valuable time and talent to make sure our school year was exceptional, including these volunteers:
Committee Chairs 2024-25
Beautification
Fredy Arias and Season Kent Lehman
Community Fund
David Straus, Sanjay Chandani, Matt Marsh
Community Outreach
Aubrey LaMonica-Dunn, Megan Le, Sabrina Saccoccio, Tania Sandoval
Grandfriend’s Day
Samantha Ramirez and Ruzielle Mizuno
Hospitality Committee
Lily-May Young and Xanthyne Calhoun
Kitchen CSA
Stephanie Burton, Charlotte Newhouse, and Aubrey LaMonica-Dunn
Library
Margaux Wanger, Marcella Marlowe, Joe Towne
New Family Welcome
Terra Shapiro and Xanthyne Calhoun
Parent Association Committee
oey Rockenstein, Marcella Marlowe, Annie Sevareid
Pan Derby
Lorin Davis, Corey Reed, Josh Dunn, Sanjeev Sirpal, Joey Rockenstein
Staff Appreciation
Meredith Morton, Dalene Alba, Brittani Fahy
Celebrate CCS Event
Annie Sevareid
Celebrate CCS Silent Auction
Madeline Samit
CCS AMBASSADORS
Tours
Sanjay Chandani and James Alba
Preschool Connectors
Sabrina Saccoccio
Beautification Day was a productive, joyous event
CCS’s financials are audited annually by a certified CPA firm. The fiscal year began on September 1, 2024 to align with the academic school year and concluded on August 31, 2025.
Endowment 24-25
Endowment 24-25
When you’re on campus, you might notice a meaningful presence just outside the main office. The Neal Wrightson Endowment for Financial Aid, often referred to simply as the Endowment Wall, stands as a living reflection of the generosity and shared commitment that continues to shape CCS. What began as the most ambitious fundraising effort in our school’s history has grown into something enduring, with more than $5.5 million raised and a current value exceeding $6.7 million. This work is rooted in the vision of our founders, Neal Wrightson and Leni Jackson, who believed CCS should be both physically and financially accessible to all families. Today, that commitment remains central to who we are. In the 2024–25 school year alone, our Tuition Assistance Program supported 48% of CCS students, helping ensure that our classrooms reflect the diverse, vibrant community we strive to be. The names displayed on the Endowment Wall represent the many individuals, families, and organizations who have helped bring this vision to life. This campaign is not static, it is a living, growing fund that continues to support our school now and into the future.
Endowment Donors:
Bob Young and Joan Ruggles
Allison Thomas
Krista Vernoff
Chet Callahan and Jacinto Hernandez
Marina Berti and Stephen Prough
Jennifer and Ariel Lechter
Capital Group Co Charitable Foundation
Francesca and Vandad Fartaj
Neal Wrightson and Laurie Taylor
Mark Grotjahn and Jennifer Guidi
Mindy Shapero and David Kordansky
Laurie Saffian and David Straus
Sarah Lambert and John Dolan
The Longview Foundation
Kostas Sgoutas and Thouly Dosios
Bert Voorhees and Catherine Arias
Heather McPherson
Tom Henschel
John and Robyn Lawrence
Betsy Thomas and Adrian Wenner
Wendy and Eric Wallace
Matthew Marsh and Alejandra Zamorano
The Landau Family Foundation
Greg and Hilda Dawley
Jennifer Febre Boase and Alastair Boase
Hon. Richard Katz
George and Kathy Wyner
Trent Farr
Deborah and Jonny Solomon
Leigh Landau and Jimmy Stewart
Pioneer Natural Resources
Allison Ross and Jason Chauncey
Jeannie and Tamara Becher-Wilkinson
Elizabeth Richmond Schulman
Jerrlyn Iwata
Michael Lee
Susan and David Dawes
Rodney Schmidt
Judy Martin
Angela and Jay Goss
Victoria Cunningham-Walsh and Andrew Walsh
Lucy Park and David van Gogh
Melanie and Fredy Arias
Azizi Williams
Lois Shackelford
Maria and Efrain Ramirez
Holly Lash and Alex Manugian
Meredith Morton and Scott Cutler
Cara Lynn Kinkel '95
Sabrina Saccoccio and Adam Brodie
Catherine Goldwyn
James and Dalene Alba
Dr. William Martin and Dr. Roxana Yoonessi-Martin
Elizabeth Moezzi
Johnny Moezzi
Aubrey LaMonica and Joshua Dunn
Clay Hazelwood
Chris Field and Jonathan Judge
Rachel and Roger Garrett
Eileen Shaw
Stephanie Radicia
Theresa Traber
Irene Tsatsos and Alan Tollefson
Carol and Steve Nash
Marla London
Andrea and Albert Blanco
The Walt Disney Company Foundation
Vincent Scordino and Stephanie Burton
Margaret Stevens
Kalea Dunkleman
Charles and Monica Connelly
Cindy and Phil Costello
Rueben and Toni Erlich
Deanne Avner and Sean Mulcahy
Martha and Carlos Garcia
Constanza Malpica and Edgardo Sosa
Steve and Vera Dem
Amy and David Schwartz
Stephanie Schrader and Dave Bailey
Vanessa Williams
Gevork Nersisyan
Lindsey Young
Morgan and Matthew Walsh
Emily and Colin Rose '92
Linda Sweet
Colin Nash and Katherine Kleveland
David and Eve Dastmalchian
Rodney and Tina Zee
Dalida Haytayan
Dennis Brodie
Anwar Pollydore
Kristin Stoddart
Julianna Bentes '95
Gretchen Kirby
Gregory and Kelly Beech
Jason and Andrea Gross
Matthew and Annie Sevareid
Alexander Moir
Milo Manugian '14
Barbara and Jack Lash
Adrian and Don Becker
Penny and Bill Hutchinson
Lucinda Cowell Michaelson
Sherry Minkowski
Lois Saffian
Lena Wells and Jonathan Natas
Jordan Swaim
Seri Bryant and Sirisat Khalsa
Elina and Dmitriy Shinkar
Ruth and Raymond Marquez
Beata and Thomas Boodell
Susan and James Wilkinson
Georgia Morgan
Gayle Brohner
Joe and Erin Towne
Sonia Campagnola and Alessandro Pessoli
Max and Margaux Wanger '90
Samantha Ramirez and Steve Montes '00
Anthony Messineo
Cathleen Wolff
Sarah Erman
Amy Reichbach
Joan Bailey
Pan Derby 24-25
Pan Derby 24-25
Pan Derby
Children’s Community School’s Pan Derby is one of our most joyful and spirited traditions, bringing our community together in a celebration of creativity, connection, and shared purpose. At the intersection of wooden derby cars and delicious pancakes, each student designs and builds their own pine derby car, a reflection of their individuality, curiosity, and imagination. On Pan Derby Day, we gather to race, cheer, and share a meal, filling campus with laughter and the unmistakable energy that defines CCS. More than a beloved event, Pan Derby is a meaningful way our community comes together to support the life of the school. Through car sponsorships and collective participation, we raised $30,000 in donated funds to support CCS’s general needs, directly benefiting our programs, our teachers, and the rich, hands-on experiences that make CCS such a vibrant place to learn and grow. It is a tradition rooted in joy and generosity, and a powerful reminder of what we can build together.
Silent Auction 24-25
Silent Auction 24-25
Silent Auction
The Silent Auction, held in celebration of our annual Celebrate CCS Gala, was another powerful example of what our community can accomplish together. Led by a dedicated team of parent committee chairs, this effort brought together an incredible range of contributions including travel packages and excursions, sports and entertainment tickets, dining experiences, parent crafted art and novelties, and beauty and wellness offerings. What made the Silent Auction especially meaningful was its reach; our entire CCS community took part, including families, friends, alumni, and extended community members, all coming together in support of the school. This collective generosity resulted in raising $37,000, well beyond our goal of $25,000, to support much needed office renovations. Thanks to the care and commitment of our parents and staff, these improvements helped ensure that our campus spaces remained welcoming, functional, and reflective of the vibrant learning environment we strive to create for our children every day.
