Wonderful Prep Academy Named 2026 California Charter School of the Year

Wonderful College Prep Academy (WCPA), which serves small, rural communities in Delano and Lost Hills, is being honored for its commitment to its students and families with a statewide award. Last Thursday, the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) presented the school with its Hart Vision Equity & Innovation Award and named it the 2026 Charter School of the Year.

“It feels really good,” said Elementary Principal Roxana Navejas. “It feels like our hard work is being recognized — but also our students, our teachers, and our staff.”

The award recognizes charter schools and leaders across California who demonstrate strong commitments to equity, innovation, and student success — particularly for historically underserved communities.

Wonderful College Prep Academy serves students from more than 20 rural communities across Kern County, where families often face barriers such as long travel distances, limited access to services, and fewer higher-education opportunities nearby.

“When you look at the state of California, you don’t really think about rural California and the Central Valley,” said Lupe Sanchez, chief engagement and partnerships officer. “There’s so much that Central Valley has to offer.”

To address those challenges, the school has built a wide network of supports — including transportation, wellness centers, academic interventions, and family resources — designed to help students succeed both in and out of the classroom.

Staff says the guiding philosophy at WCPA is access for all, whether it’s instruction, support, or opportunity.

“We’re ‘all means all’ here,” said Assistant Principal Griselda Avila. “When we say that, it’s not just our first-generation students or our [Special Education] students, it’s all the population that we serve. We want to make sure all students get the support they need.”

That philosophy is reflected in how instruction is delivered. Students who need additional help receive targeted support without being separated from their peers. Teachers and specialists work together in classrooms, providing additional help while students remain engaged in core instruction. The school also offers interventions during the day and after school to help students avoid falling behind.

In addition to academics, the school focuses heavily on health and wellness, as well as family partnerships, offering a ‘whole child’ mentality.

“Because we’re such a small campus, we really get to know our students on a one-on-one basis, and get to know what struggles they’re facing, so that we can really have a holistic child approach here,” said Secondary Principal Leticia Balbuena.

Campuses offer services such as wellness centers, mental health support, and a Family Resource Center that connects families to community services. Programs like culinary arts, horticulture, and farm-to-table education also expose students to healthy living and real-world skills.

For many staff members, the work is deeply personal. Many grew up in the same communities as their students.

“I see myself in a lot of our students,” Navejas said. “My parents were immigrants, and I know what that experience is like. Seeing students succeed is something we’re very proud of.”

A key focus at Wonderful College Prep Academy is ensuring students are ready for higher education. Students can take college courses while still in high school through partnerships with local institutions. Some graduates earn associate degrees before receiving their high school diplomas.

“Providing a lot of our students with access to college classes, especially in the community as remote as Lost Hills, and having professors come out here to provide instruction in person to our students is huge, because our students wouldn’t have access to that otherwise,” Balbuena said.

For Avila, the award is both a celebration and a motivation to keep pushing forward.

“Even without the award, this is the work we would be doing,” she said. “But it’s amazing to see it recognized.”

WCPA’s Harvest Hall serves fresh, healthy, and free meals and snacks for kids during their breaks.