Making Waves Academy in Richmond | Military Town Advisor

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	6/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education.
College Readiness	8/10	The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using 2019 SAT percent college ready data from California Department of Education, using 2019 Average ACT score data from California Department of Education, using 2019 ACT percent college ready data from California Department of Education, using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from California Department of Education, using 2025 Percent of students who meet UC/CSU entrance requirements data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 demographic data from California Department of Education.
Student Growth	5/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from California Department of Education.

Posted: March 28, 2024

There is no diversity at this school what so ever, students call other students the N word and write it on school property. The African American students get in trouble and suspended over the smallest things compared to the majority ethnicity there. Teachers do not stay on top of the grades. And with the sports they only really allow the Hispanic/Latino students to join the team. I was warned to take my child out this school by some of the staff.

Posted: October 4, 2023

Do not send your child to this school!!!

Posted: September 22, 2022

This school is not the best they are every disrespectful cant go to the staffs for nothing these teacher are not helpful they act more like kids then teacher they only here for a pay check .

Posted: February 13, 2022

Soy un padre que tengo un hijo de hace 3 años en esta escuela, y realmente el primer año de experiencia fue excelente. Pero desde los dos últimos años bajó en todo, (maestros, staff, apoyo a los estudiantes) el currículo académico no es recomendable, hay mucha falta de maestros y todo ahora lo relacionan a la pandemia. Puede que la pandemia sea una de las causas pero no que sea una consistencia en todo para no brindar un currículo bueno de calidad para todos los estudiantes. Yo no recomiendo esta escuela.

Posted: February 13, 2022

Posted: September 7, 2018

Estoy iniciando así que tengo mucha expectativa

Posted: August 27, 2018

Buena el personal se esfuerza y es amable con los padres y estudiantes

Posted: August 27, 2018

La escuela ha se un buen trabajo tratando a los estudiantes y padres

Posted: August 27, 2018

El personal es amable con los padres y estudiantes

Posted: August 27, 2018

Posted: August 20, 2018

I would rate this school a 9/10 because if your student is doing bad they actually contact you and make an effort to see you and try to help you son or daughter get better.

Posted: August 20, 2018

This school is the best that my daughters have ever had

Posted: August 20, 2018

Posted: August 18, 2018

I do not agree when students ask a classmate first about late homework, rather than asking teachers first. On occasions kids don't explain the missing work well.

Posted: August 8, 2018

The school does a good job on treating the students and parents with respect.

Posted: August 8, 2018

Posted: August 7, 2018

my student love to come to school every day

Posted: August 7, 2018

is a great community were anyone would like to have there students

Posted: August 7, 2018

they communicate with the parents when is need it

Posted: August 7, 2018

Posted: August 3, 2018

All the experience is great, the staff are really hardworking people helping students and families.

Posted: August 3, 2018

The students have better grades, and they been more responsablilities .

Posted: August 3, 2018

Posted: July 30, 2018

The school definitely cares for all their students with different learning abilities and all students in general. They deeply care for all the students and provide them all the support hey need going from alternate classes to specialized teachers and educators.

Posted: July 30, 2018

The school assures that they solve problems all the way deep in the core with restorative talking and communicating with parents

Posted: July 30, 2018

My 2 children both love the school and they truly appreciate all there teachers and the educative programs provided for them for the best of there education life.

Posted: July 30, 2018

MWA gives students projects that encourage life-long lasting learning and keeps them busy in positive and important and essential ideas.

Posted: July 30, 2018

Teachers keep students on track and held parents accountable for encouraging their children's education.

Posted: July 30, 2018

MWA encourages students to have essential values in school assemblies and in public service announcements and teachers.

Posted: July 30, 2018

The school promotes important core values that implement into the students life in order for them to become responsible and successful leaders in our community.

Posted: July 30, 2018

100% bully free a very safe school

Posted: July 30, 2018

Every kid is different and Making Waves do their best to please any learning difference and give the help every kid needs.

Posted: July 30, 2018

I am so happy and thankful that my kids got accepted because I know their going to get what it takes to became profecionals

Posted: July 30, 2018

Teachers really do their best to encourage the kids that homework is the priority on their success.

Posted: July 30, 2018

I love their courage and their responsibility they got to teach and take care of our kds.

Posted: July 30, 2018

I know every kid is different, but I know for fact that Making Waves built our students to succeed.

Posted: July 30, 2018

They are the best in the area.

Posted: July 23, 2018

Communication to the non-Spanish speaking is horrible.

Posted: July 23, 2018

Observations of staff catering more to Hispanics. Hoping communication is increased for all families. Would like for the school year experience to be welcoming and fair for all students and families.

Posted: July 23, 2018

The best experience ever l was hoping my daughter to get in because they have very good opportunities to learn and succeed

Posted: July 23, 2018

They encourage the kids to work on it

Posted: July 23, 2018

They do there best efforts for the kids so they can really understand what they are doing

Posted: July 23, 2018

Por el momento a sido buena espero que con el tiempo sea mucho mejor para mi y para ellos tambien.

Posted: July 23, 2018

I had a couple issues but overall it has been great. Love all the office staff. They are always very nice and professional.

Posted: July 23, 2018

So far my experience with this school has been amazing.

Posted: July 23, 2018

They help everyone and if they need help the support them

Posted: July 23, 2018

They dont tolerate bulling and that one of the best things

Posted: July 23, 2018

It one of the great schools in Richmond

Posted: July 23, 2018

The teacher put more attention to the kids

Posted: July 23, 2018

They are a lot more strick and helpful

Posted: July 23, 2018

They teach them more respectful and be good

Posted: July 23, 2018

They are more communicated with the parents and kids

Posted: July 18, 2018

With MWA I feel like I won the lottery! MWA is a blessing. Great School, one of my boys attended MWA & next year he'll graduate from college and the other one is going to graduate from high school , both are very well prepare for their future. Thank you Making Waves & Staff (Specially Mrs Cruz & Mrs Barton.

Posted: July 17, 2018

My experience with this school is amazing. When my daughter first started here she was having trouble with her grades and she is now a straight A student. MWA really focuses on the students and makes sure they have all resources to not fall behind. I recommend this school to all.

Posted: July 17, 2018

Excellent! In the years my son has attended MWA, Ive seen so much improvement in him overall. The entire staff is amazing, especially Ms. Garay. The school is also kept very clean.

Posted: July 17, 2018

I rate this school a 9/10 because it's a really good school.

Posted: July 17, 2018

Posted: July 16, 2018

Trabajan duro con los estudiantes paraevitar el bulling

Posted: July 16, 2018

Exelente, para mi es el mejor lugar para la preparation para el futuro d mi hija

Posted: July 16, 2018

Si , y es mi bueno para fortalecer a sus estudiantes para el futuro

Posted: July 16, 2018

Si ,trabajan duro para k ninguno says estudiantes kede atras

Posted: July 16, 2018

No dejean k sus estudiantes de rindan

Posted: July 13, 2018

We are grateful for this school. It is so much better than our neighborhood elementary school that we went to.

Posted: July 11, 2018

As a student, my highschool experience was not the same as that of public schools. The school is too small, no football team, no big gym, and you're cooped up with the same people for 8 years. The huge plus to this school is the CAP scholarship and support that is given when students leave for college. If you're looking for a smaller school dynamic with not much spirit and a lack of your typical high school experience, Making Waves is the school for you. Also lacks AP classes and teachers with experience.

Posted: July 11, 2018

The school has very good teachers and make sure that every student receives the same amount of education.

Posted: July 11, 2018

The School shows care for the students and always keeps the parents updated for everything

Posted: July 11, 2018

Posted: July 10, 2018

The school so far is great. They are very organized. The staff is nice. I like how they keep the parents informed of changes or important info. I am excited for the upcoming school year.

Posted: July 10, 2018

Posted: July 9, 2018

Because in this school the learning all students is the same .

Posted: July 9, 2018

Because the school always support all the students and try of explain all students and parents.

Posted: July 9, 2018

excellent because all time they always focused on the learning of the students and they training for the future thank you for this opportunity and this school.

Posted: July 9, 2018

Because all the time are always super vised by a teacher and because the homework is always as the same level of our grade or more.

Posted: July 9, 2018

Because when someone dosen't understand the teachers explaines more better.

Posted: July 9, 2018

Because in the time the my student there has not been any problems with others student.

Posted: July 9, 2018

Because all people work together and help each other.

Posted: July 6, 2018

Yes they have much activities from anyone

Posted: July 6, 2018

As a parent I dont see what goes on in school

Posted: July 6, 2018

They check for homework everyday which is helpful.

Posted: July 6, 2018

My child always have good things to say.

Posted: July 6, 2018

As a parent I don't see the characters of the students.

Posted: July 6, 2018

Leadership in this school is strong and together.

Posted: July 6, 2018

I rate this school out of 0-10 10 I love it!

Posted: July 4, 2018

Muy buena. Todos son muy amables y respetuosos

Posted: July 4, 2018

Es bueno porque aprenden mas y se preparan mejor

Posted: July 4, 2018

Its positive I guess. For a school in Richmond.

Posted: June 22, 2018

The middle school has created internal wraparound supports for students with a variety of needs. Teachers are creative and in tune with the needs of their students and implement a variety of social-emotional, technological, artistic, and instructional strategies to meet the needs of their students. Teachers work closely with Resource Specialist, an active and responsive Intervention Coordinator, trained Interventionists, and Enrichment Specialists who support students after school.

Posted: June 22, 2018

My experience at Making Waves Academy, today, is overwhelmingly positive. Making Waves Academy's middle school works to support the needs of teachers through a variety of programs and incentives that are unheard of in public or private schools. I believe that comes with great expectations and great responsibilities. I work with talented and dedicated teachers and staff that go above and beyond their job descriptions. We strive to improve our practice and serve students so that they can meet the personal, academic, and professional goals they set for themselves. I understand that the critiques about the difference between the Education Program and The Academy; it is important to acknowledge the change in "feel" and the difference in program implementation. However, it is also important to recognize that sustainability of service is important. One would be hard-pressed to find a school that offers (and this is a short list): yearly study trips, breakfast, snack, lunch, on-site counselors, social workers, Deans of Students that provide real-time support, Interventionists, highly trained staffed, low turnover, My Very Own Library (students receive free books several times per year), a teacher residency program, teacher intern programs, 1:1 technology program (to be launched this year). We celebrate our strengths and, at the same time, are not afraid to acknowledge, discuss, and address areas of growth.

Posted: June 22, 2018

Teachers ensure that homework is useful and relevant. Students are encouraged to make connections to what they are learning and develop new skills.

Posted: June 22, 2018

The Academy is grounded in the history and tradition of Making Waves Education Program (MWEP) and retains many of the original practices such as reciting The Affirmation, sharing Appreciations, family involvement, and restorative practices. However, as a school, it would benefit students and staff in disciplinary procedures were enforced consistently and systematically.

Posted: June 22, 2018

The current Middle School Leadership is responsive, open to feedback, and approachable. I have worked at Making Waves Academy for over a decade. There are high standards for teachers in and out of the classroom. We are expected to be, and treated as, professionals. We are given autonomy in the planning and implementation of our content areas. We continue to grow through thoughtful, weekly professional development meetings, mentoring, conferences, Professional Learning communities, etc.

Posted: June 16, 2018

A commitment to differentiated instruction aims to provide each student the support they need.

Posted: June 16, 2018

MWA employs robust restorative justice techniques that effectively addresses discipline issues, including bullying.

Posted: June 16, 2018

Excellent. Its results with its population--majority Title I students of color-- are already phenomenal, and staff is always working hard to improve across multiple metrics.

Posted: June 16, 2018

The teachers are dedicated to the students and the school's mission. Their efficacy is demonstrated by the fact that most students enter below grade level at age 10 and by graduation more that 70% matriculate to 4-year colleges.

Posted: June 16, 2018

The core values--respect, scholarship, resilience, responsibility, community--are embraced and modeled by students and staff alike.

Posted: June 16, 2018

It is data-driven with constant iteration to improve outcome, as well as collaborative and rooted in the school's core values.

Posted: June 14, 2018

Great school, with great staff, educators, leaders and of course wonderful students. Very distinctive program.

Posted: June 14, 2018

Posted: June 4, 2018

The school goes above and beyond to provide resources for FREE to students that would otherwise not have access to such as My Very Own Library, Pre-SAT/SAT/ACT prep, registrations for National Competition, Afterschool program (until 6PM), Summer school and Saturday enrichment, and lunches/snacks regardless of whether students qualified for free or reduced lunches.

Posted: June 4, 2018

Posted: May 30, 2018

MWA is an amazing school, with great core values and strong emphasis on College. Everyone at MWA from the Board of Directors to the students are fully invested in the education and success of Making Waves students.

Posted: May 30, 2018

Posted: May 1, 2018

Amazing. I love the teachers and staff!They are all amazing people that I was lucky to have met. The community is close knit and no matter what wave or grade level, we all seem to get along. The lunches and snacks are better than it was before when we had revelation foods. Course Work was heavier than public schools but I was comfortable with it. Overall, I really loved Making Waves Academy and visit as much as I could.

Posted: May 1, 2018

This school gives you many assignments but majority is effective. It is not just busy work but most of time its helpful

Posted: May 1, 2018

Posted: August 4, 2015

like I said your new u desirve the respect and if they spoke with you a lot of times and there trying of you they just go aways Im not kinding a lot of teacherswent away cause of our behavior but they came to work here cause its clean safe

Posted: August 4, 2015

on Mondays well I kinda hate Mondays cause u get homework in every subject mon-wed and on Fridays none but thurdays is what u need to finish

Posted: August 4, 2015

well this school has a long speech and that speech really means a lot to me and if you get introuble you eather read the whole speech to your school audience or get a long workout that you had never expected

Posted: August 4, 2015

I feel wrong cuz I told my friends that I moving to a new and they say what shool and I say making waves and they say that school sucks
but I was there for4 years now and im enjoying it
exepct that lots of teachers retired

Posted: March 2, 2015

A school focused purely on testing. The administration here acts as though students are somehow thrilled to hear about school data on a weekly basis, and even more excited to have it presented in a dry and unmeaningful way. Students only seem to be rewarded or acknowledged by the school when they ve done well academically and that s it. This has created a slew of problems regarding school culture. (An unbelievable amount of bullying goes on here.) I don t think I ve ever seen admin genuinely take the time to get to know their students.

Posted: January 9, 2015

The lack of creativity present in school curriculum perpetuates a stagnant learning environment. Non-diverse student population would benefit from a wider curriculum worldview in which to help them see the world. Slippery discipline structure for repeated infractions. I think the students enjoy being sent to the deans because they get a one on one counseling session instead of deserved consequences for bad behavior. Too much emphasis on dress code infractions, rather than creating a solid discipline plan to help support a safe environment for teachers and students. Teachers come and go at a rapid rate which is very destabilizing for the students. Extra stars go out to the mostly lovely, polite, talented and smart students there.

Posted: October 29, 2013

I had two graduates from the MWEP who went on to a Four Year. I fought for this school to be opened. However, I was very disappointed in my experience with my younger sons enrollment there. I pulled him out and he's doing great where he is now. You cannot compare this school to the Ed program! These are two completely different programs. The staff at the Ed program were able to take a personal interest in the children lives. That alone saved lives and encouraged the student to work hard. They also worked very close with parents on a regular basis. The support the Ed program offers will never be duplicated here at MWA. The school is cold and no opportunities for parents to get involved other than the mandatory meetings. It has been said that children are treated differently according to race. Though i did not personally experience this i did notice it when prompted to. The school has a great idea however i wouldn't send my child until they first achieve what they are working for. It's so sad that the Ed program is due to close. This program worked wonders with our Richmond children. I'm afraid we will never see what MWEP was able to accomplish in our community again.

Posted: August 4, 2013

This school is completely unstable and treats it's teachers horribly! It's a bad environment for the teaching staff, they are overworked, under appreciated, and not acknowledged for their hard work. This translates into the over all environment.

Posted: August 4, 2013

The staff at this school is a revolving door. They get good quality teachers who work very hard from what I can see. Then they leave after a year and some in the middle of the year. I see this as a big problem with an administration that can't keep it's staff stable. I am pulling my child because there is no stability here.

Posted: May 22, 2013

I would not recommend MWA. The students are there for more than 11 hours a day which lowers moral and academic stamina. One would think with such a long day, test scores would be high, they are not. They do not use the time appropriately and focus on less important things, like if your students shoe laces are the correct color. The teacher turnover rate is also very high, in my opinion the good teachers realize how awful they treat the children then quit. The children that attend call it "Making Slaves", this organization has lost its way and seems to no longer serve children, but corporations for profit. I regret sending my child to this school, do not make the same mistake.

Posted: March 25, 2013

This school is great! They have drills to have the students practice and learn what to do in a emergency. So I know that my daughter is safe!

Posted: August 5, 2012

MWA has many strengths, but a positive and stable culture is not one of them. We have high turnover year after year, both voluntary and involuntary, and it has nothing to do with the long hours, which we all knew about going in, or the students and parents, who are wonderful. The resulting chaos is extremely detrimental to the kids, especially the ones whose only source of stability is school. Several teachers with good results and strong rapport with the students were fired recently, without being given a reason. What kind of message does that send to the kids and to other hard working and dedicated teachers?

Posted: May 20, 2012

I am a teacher at Making Waves Academy, and have had to witness my colleagues being fired without reason, administration bullying teachers, poor leadership, and over priced consultants. The students are taught by the test, for the test, and nothing else. All that matters is the test. Students must attend Saturday School to prepare for... the test. Nothing matters except how students test on the STAR test. We are caring, professional teachers, but we are prevented from doing our job by a lack of leadership and a lack of support.

Posted: January 17, 2012

I have a daughter in this school, its her first year and so far we love it!! I see the difference in this school than a public school,the teachers and parents and even staff are more involved!.I feel my daughter is safe and is learning. I email her teacher at least once a month , and she is really fast in replying.She lets me know if my daughter need help or is turning in work on time.They have very long hours 8am to 6 pm!!! She gets home exausted, but i ratter have her in school than sitting on the couch or on the streets. But thats my opinion I highly recomend this school!

Posted: November 28, 2011

My daughter is in this school and its rating is very low and asked for help for my daughter to raise grades and nothing to help me and asked to speak with the director and she is never available to me personally and had a bad experience in this is making waves school

Posted: January 24, 2011

i have no rating, but I do want to say to those saying there are no graduates, how much do you actually know about the school. FYI the school was created in the tradition of the Making Waves Education PROGRAM, which has a large number of graduates attending some very prestigious 4 year Universities (Harvard, Tufts, UCB, Stanford and USC amongst many others.) So the hope is that in the tradition of the program which came before this school, its graduates will achieve the same goal that the MWEP students achieved.

Posted: January 13, 2011

Again, how can you say that 90% of the graduates go to college? It is a newly created middle school. None of its students have even reached college age! NONE Of its graduates have gone to college because there have been NO GRADUATES!!!!!!!

Posted: January 12, 2011

Making Waves Academy is a great school for children in the Richmond area. Actually the statement is accurate because Making Waves is also an education program (MWEP). 90% of the graduates from the education program have been accepted into 4-year colleges and universities.

Base	Distance
Coast Guard Alameda	14.9 mi.
Coast Guard San Francisco	24.9 mi.
Travis AFB	28.8 mi.
Camp Parks Dublin	30 mi.
Coast Guard Petaluma	31.5 mi.
Moffett Field	42.3 mi.

Making Waves Academy

Richmond, CA 94806

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Making Waves Academy

Richmond, CA 94806

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