Woodruff Receives 2025 Model Community Day School Recognition

Woodruff Academy School, Downey Unified School District, Los Angeles County
The school culture at Woodruff Academy School (WAS) is inclusive and empowering. Recognizing the diverse challenges faced by at-promise youth, WAS places a strong emphasis on social-emotional wellness. The on-campus Wellness Center provides students with a safe, supportive space and access to a range of mental health resources. To reduce stigma around mental health, school-wide wellness presentations are offered each semester. WAS’s trauma-informed approach identifies students’ social-emotional needs early, enabling tiered support through classroom presentations, workshops, counseling, and connections to external mental health resources. WAS’s personalized approach to learning includes strengths-based instruction, small class sizes, and a diverse curriculum with electives such as welding, botany, and a Teacher Assistant Program. The School Culture Committee fosters a positive environment through initiatives like Character Counts and anti-bullying campaigns. Students also participate actively in the Associated Student Body, helping shape school events and building leadership skills. Clubs, sports tournaments, and monthly Wellness Wednesdays contribute to a cohesive, supportive community, strengthening student belonging and engagement.

California department of education