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The Woodruff Academy

Woodruff Academy School (WAS) is a community day school established in 2017, designed to meet the whole child needs of students in grades 7–10 who are having difficulties with maladaptive behavior, socio-emotional challenges, grades, attendance, or breached the Downey Unified School District Code of Conduct. In a supportive and nurturing environment, students will work on personal and academic growth.

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2025 Model Community Day School

Woodruff Academy was named a 2025 Model Community Day School by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. This honor recognizes schools excelling with “at-promise” youth facing attendance, behavior, or expulsion challenges. Model Community Day Schools, like Woodruff, offer holistic support, including mental health services via their Wellness Center, trauma-informed care, and personalized learning. This designation means Woodruff will share its successful, inclusive practices with other districts.

Helping Students Navigate a New Course to Success

Schoolwide Learner Outcomes (SLO’s)

The Schoolwide Learner Outcomes that Woodruff Academy School expects students to achieve are:

  • Interpret information and draw conclusions based on the best analysis to make informed decisions.
  • Contribute to the global and local community as culturally aware citizens and leaders.
  • Communicate information and ideas effectively and responsibly to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
  • Use existing and emerging technology to investigate, research, and produce products and services, including new information.
  • Develop a strong sense of self-efficacy so that students can work with peers to promote creative perspectives, provide effective leadership, positively impact group dynamics, and provide critical team and individual decision-making.

Woodruff Academy School Bell Schedule

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Regular Schedule

Period 1 
8:30 am – 9:21 am

Snack
9:10 am – 9:15 am

Period 2 
9:31 am – 10:23 am

Period 3
10:23 am – 11:14 am

Lunch
11:14 am – 11:29 pm

Period 4
11:29 am – 12:21 pm

Period 5 
12:21 pm – 1:12 pm

Period 6
1:12 pm – 2:04 pm

Period 7 
2:04 pm – 2:55 pm

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At a Glance

Woodruff Academy News

Dr. Ortiz Named California’s State Administrator of the Year

Dr. Ortiz Named California’s State Administrator of the Year

Apr 29, 2026

Downey Unified School District is proud to celebrate an extraordinary milestone in leadership, as Columbus High School Principal Dr. Xochitl Ortiz has been named California’s State Continuation / Educational Options Administrator of the Year by the Association of...

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