West California Academy of Art and Design (WCAAD) is a K-12 Supplemental Educational Program (SEP) that focuses on Art and Design education and Portfolio Preparation for children and youth. The SEP’s main branch is located in San Gabriel and has opened a children’s campus in Walnut in August 2024. The program serves approximately 536 students now serving nationwide and international students via in person and online courses. Students across the globe can now take advantage of the educational art and design program reaching students as far as Australia, China, Germany, Canada, San Diego, Texas, Taiwan Beijing etc., as we have established a reputation and facilities to address the demand and need for art education.
 
History

Established in 1996, West California Academy of Art and Design（WCAAD） strives to offer only the highest level of art education for the community. Since July 6th, 2017, West California Academy of Art and Design has officially become the Supplementary Education Center/Program Fully Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

 

1996—1998：Ms. Lei Wang founded the one-room “Wang Lei Art Class” in Alhambra.

 

1998—1999: As the student number increased, the Art Class was upgraded to “Wang Lei Art Studio” with three classrooms in Temple City.

 

1999—2003: the Art Studio was expanded to “W. California Art Academy” with five classrooms on the Vista Street in San Gabriel.

 

2003--2014: As the student number boomed, the school was moved to Las Tunas Drive in San Gabriel with seven classrooms.

 

2014—present: With the continuous expansion, the school was upgraded to “West California Academy of Art and Design” with tens of classrooms on the Pine Street in San Gabriel. The Academy was accredited by WASC in 2017.

 

For almost 30 years, West California Academy of Art and Design has been transforming students into confident, creative artists and designers who have gone on to have successful careers in their chosen field. The Academy continues to adapt the program and curriculum to offer new ways to have meaningful interactions with students to create innovating ways of thinking through the Arts and build self-expression, research and exploration.

Curriculum
Curriculum is comprised of a calibrated mix of rigorous courses designed to help students maximize their art education. The program also promotes a cross-culture dialogue through awareness of historical and cultural context, artistic perceptions and aesthetic valuing. The program focuses on educating students for successful student college entrance by portfolio preparation and or hobbyist, with lifelong art appreciation.
 
Students are also provided information on potential careers in art and design through our instructions and college counseling service. The program strengthens students’ interest in art by strengthening their skills in artistic expression. Students improve their drawing abilities, aesthetic temperament and creativity, as well as their intellectual performance in other subjects.
 
Academy’s Mission                                                                                                                              
Objective:
To expand student’s vision of life through various means of self-expression and stimulate their interests in creative drawing and artistic visual fundamentals, and to increase their overall creativity and ability to express their feelings through arts.
 
Method:
We employ an inspirational method of teaching by arranging our curriculum according to the phases of children’s psychological development. By training students to observe, memorize and develop their imagination, we help students master the fundamental skills of creative visual art.
 
Philosophy
Many people argue that children's education can be better, but few know what better looks like. Our vision is of a new world of learning, a place where creativity is the rule instead of the exception, and a place of inspiration and aspiration based on the urgent belief that creativity is the key to the survival of our next generation.
 
Arts and Academics are deeply connected disciplines, and there is nothing dispensable in this discipline at West California Academy of Art and Design. The arts we teach here are central to the mission of educating students in math, science, and the humanities at their elementary, junior and high school studies and beyond, allowing young people to develop a creative understanding of the world.
 
West California Academy of Art and Design can help your children turn their interest, talent and energy into capabilities that shape their future. Our 500+ students each academic year will immerse themselves in a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum that prepares them to be the creative leaders of tomorrow, no matter what field they choose.