Learning Works Charter School

Learning Works Charter School offers a personalized, rigorous academic program and relevant life skills for students in grades 9-12. The school also lists Learning Works @ Homeboy Industries, Chasers with coaching, mentoring, and tutoring, Pregnant and Parenting Teens with an optional parenting elective, artWORKS, GroWORKS, Hope Works, tutoring, homework assistance and academic coaching, Homework Circle, 3D Printing Class, Middle School Math: Foundation Building, and SAT Prep.

Programs

• Learning Works Charter School — grades 9-12; students ages 12-20 are accepted
• Learning Works @ Homeboy Industries — students in grades 9-12
• Chasers® — students in grades 9-12 · Chasers provide coaching, mentoring, and tutoring.
• Pregnant and Parenting Teens (PPT) — students in grades 9-12 · Includes an optional parenting elective.
• artWORKS — middle and high school students
• GroWORKS — not stated
• Hope Works — youth ages 17-23 · Homeless youth Drop-In Center.
• Tutoring, Homework Assistance and Academic Coaching — 3rd-12th graders
• Homework Circle — 1st-2nd graders
• 3D Printing Class — middle school students
• Middle School Math: Foundation Building — 3rd-12th graders
• SAT Prep — high school students

At a glance

• General schedule: Students can enter at any point to begin coursework. LWCS is organized around trimesters. Students enroll in either four or five classes per trimester for a total of 60 units or 75 units per year depending on how credit deficient they are. Students are required to attend regularly scheduled appointments with teachers a minimum of one hour each, twice-weekly tutoring sessions, actual classes/laboratories and field trips focused on key classes. Students assessed as needing additional academic support attend small group instruction (SGI) classes for an additional 2-4 hours a week.

About the provider

The mission of Learning Works Charter School is to serve traditionally underserved, at-risk students in grades 9-12 who have withdrawn or are in danger of withdrawing from mainstream education without attaining a high school diploma. The school has a partnership with Homeboy Industries in Greater Pasadena and Los Angeles, and its Chaser position has received national attention as a unique model to re-engage youth in their education.

The contact page says volunteers working with middle and high school youth require LiveScan fingerprinting clearance and proof of a most recent TB test taken within the past 4 years, with reimbursement for both clearance items. The program page lists documents including Our Principles, Enrollment Policy, Student and Parent Handbook, 26-27 Complete School Policies, Application for Free or Reduced Lunch, TAP Card Application, and School Calendar 2026-27.

What families say

“The Learning Works team became like family. The chasers and teachers cared, listened and they actively helped me graduate.” — not stated

Last updated September 21, 2026.