News from the ICEF Network
ICEF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND READY, SET, GOLD! HOST ICEF OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC DAY ON APRIL 8, 2026
ICEF View Park High School Student-Athletes and Ready, Set, Gold! Olympians and Paralympians Lead Students Through a Day of Sport, Leadership, and Community Grounded in Olympic and Paralympic Values
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4.6.26 | LOS ANGELES, CA — ICEF Public Schools, in partnership with Ready, Set, Gold!, will host its second culminating ICEF Olympic & Paralympic Day on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Expo Center, located steps away from the iconic the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and at the heart of where the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place.
The event brings together more than 500 students from all seven ICEF schools and one LAUSD partner school, building on the success of ICEF’s inaugural Olympic Day in 2025. This year’s experience places a strong emphasis on inclusion, mentorship, and connection across schools, with students selecting one Olympic or Paralympic sport in the morning and another in the afternoon, rotating through hands-on sessions led by ICEF View Park High School student-athlete |
leaders, educators, coaches, and Olympians and Paralympians.
Seven of the eleven athletes have been visiting their assigned ICEF campuses since January through the Ready, Set, Gold! partnership, getting to know students long before the event. On the day itself, it’s ICEF’s own View Park High School student-athletes who step into leadership roles — guiding younger students and showing what it looks like to lead with confidence in your own community. When students see Olympic-level achievement modeled by people who look like them, who came from where they came from, the values those athletes carry — perseverance, inclusion, hard work, respect — stop feeling like distant ideals and start feeling like something within reach.
“This initiative began following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” said Lisa Finegan, Director of ICEF Student Leadership Academy. “Feeling compelled to create something meaningful for the community, we launched a four-year Olympic and Paralympic initiative to motivate, engage, and inspire students through sport, leadership, and opportunity.”
“We have been bringing Olympians and Paralympians into Southern California schools for nearly 20 years because we know what that kind of mentorship does for a young person,” said Alan Berkes, Director of Ready, Set, Gold!. “Partnering with ICEF and seeing that come to life at Expo Center, with LA28 on the horizon, is a full circle moment for everything Ready, Set, Gold! stands for.”
Confirmed athletes include Rugby Olympian Nia Toliver, Gymnast Raj Bhavsar, Divers Cassidy Krug and Katrina Young, Swimmers Jack O’Neil and Noelani Day, Track and Field athletes Isaac Jean-Paul, Prince Mumba, Marlene Wilcox, and Tasha Danvers, and Volleyball player Kim Glass.
Among the participating athletes, Toliver’s return to ICEF carries both personal and symbolic meaning as a former student and longtime supporter of the school’s internationally recognized Rugby program.
“I love coming back to ICEF — this community is where I fell in love with Rugby, where I learned to compete and to lead. I want these students to know that the path from South LA to the Olympics is real. I walked it, and so can they.” — Nia Toliver, USA Rugby Olympian and ICEF alumna
That sense of possibility is exactly what ICEF Olympic & Paralympic Day is designed to create. By bringing together students from across the network — different schools, different grades, different backgrounds — around a shared experience rooted in Olympic and Paralympic values, the day becomes something bigger than sport. It’s about building a community where every student sees themselves reflected, feels like they belong, and understands that the path to excellence is open to them.
“I have seen firsthand what happens when young people are given the right environment, the right mentors, and the belief that they belong in spaces of excellence. They rise. What this day is really about — what this entire initiative is about — is making sure every ICEF student walks away knowing that excellence is something you build, leadership is something you practice, and that the path to wherever they want to go is real and it is theirs.” — TyAnthony Davis, CEO, ICEF Public Schools
As Los Angeles prepares to host the world in 2028, ICEF Olympic & Paralympic Day is proof that the next generation of leaders is already here — and already rising.
About Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF Public Schools) ICEF Public Schools is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating seven TK–12 schools across South Los Angeles and serving more than 2,500 students. One of LA’s first charter school organizations, ICEF has spent over 25 years providing students with a high-quality education and a clear pathway to college and beyond through a whole-child approach rooted in the 3A’s: Academics, Arts, and Athletics. Consistently outperforming both LAUSD and the state in student achievement, ICEF continues to raise the bar for public education in Los Angeles. For more information, visit icefps.org.
About Ready, Set, Gold! Ready, Set, Gold! is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that pairs Olympians and Paralympians with Southern California schools and events to promote fitness, healthy lifestyles, and social-emotional learning. Since 2021, the program has reached more than 200,000 students and received the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s 2022 Rings of Gold Award. For more information, visit readysetgold.org.
Seven of the eleven athletes have been visiting their assigned ICEF campuses since January through the Ready, Set, Gold! partnership, getting to know students long before the event. On the day itself, it’s ICEF’s own View Park High School student-athletes who step into leadership roles — guiding younger students and showing what it looks like to lead with confidence in your own community. When students see Olympic-level achievement modeled by people who look like them, who came from where they came from, the values those athletes carry — perseverance, inclusion, hard work, respect — stop feeling like distant ideals and start feeling like something within reach.
“This initiative began following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” said Lisa Finegan, Director of ICEF Student Leadership Academy. “Feeling compelled to create something meaningful for the community, we launched a four-year Olympic and Paralympic initiative to motivate, engage, and inspire students through sport, leadership, and opportunity.”
“We have been bringing Olympians and Paralympians into Southern California schools for nearly 20 years because we know what that kind of mentorship does for a young person,” said Alan Berkes, Director of Ready, Set, Gold!. “Partnering with ICEF and seeing that come to life at Expo Center, with LA28 on the horizon, is a full circle moment for everything Ready, Set, Gold! stands for.”
Confirmed athletes include Rugby Olympian Nia Toliver, Gymnast Raj Bhavsar, Divers Cassidy Krug and Katrina Young, Swimmers Jack O’Neil and Noelani Day, Track and Field athletes Isaac Jean-Paul, Prince Mumba, Marlene Wilcox, and Tasha Danvers, and Volleyball player Kim Glass.
Among the participating athletes, Toliver’s return to ICEF carries both personal and symbolic meaning as a former student and longtime supporter of the school’s internationally recognized Rugby program.
“I love coming back to ICEF — this community is where I fell in love with Rugby, where I learned to compete and to lead. I want these students to know that the path from South LA to the Olympics is real. I walked it, and so can they.” — Nia Toliver, USA Rugby Olympian and ICEF alumna
That sense of possibility is exactly what ICEF Olympic & Paralympic Day is designed to create. By bringing together students from across the network — different schools, different grades, different backgrounds — around a shared experience rooted in Olympic and Paralympic values, the day becomes something bigger than sport. It’s about building a community where every student sees themselves reflected, feels like they belong, and understands that the path to excellence is open to them.
“I have seen firsthand what happens when young people are given the right environment, the right mentors, and the belief that they belong in spaces of excellence. They rise. What this day is really about — what this entire initiative is about — is making sure every ICEF student walks away knowing that excellence is something you build, leadership is something you practice, and that the path to wherever they want to go is real and it is theirs.” — TyAnthony Davis, CEO, ICEF Public Schools
As Los Angeles prepares to host the world in 2028, ICEF Olympic & Paralympic Day is proof that the next generation of leaders is already here — and already rising.
About Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF Public Schools) ICEF Public Schools is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating seven TK–12 schools across South Los Angeles and serving more than 2,500 students. One of LA’s first charter school organizations, ICEF has spent over 25 years providing students with a high-quality education and a clear pathway to college and beyond through a whole-child approach rooted in the 3A’s: Academics, Arts, and Athletics. Consistently outperforming both LAUSD and the state in student achievement, ICEF continues to raise the bar for public education in Los Angeles. For more information, visit icefps.org.
About Ready, Set, Gold! Ready, Set, Gold! is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that pairs Olympians and Paralympians with Southern California schools and events to promote fitness, healthy lifestyles, and social-emotional learning. Since 2021, the program has reached more than 200,000 students and received the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s 2022 Rings of Gold Award. For more information, visit readysetgold.org.
Two ICEF Schools Earn 2026 California Distinguished Schools Designation
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3.11.26 | We are proud to announce that two ICEF Public Schools campuses have been named 2026 California Distinguished Schools, one of the highest honors a public school in California can receive.
ICEF Vista Middle Academy and ICEF View Park Preparatory High earned this recognition for demonstrating academic excellence and outstanding outcomes for students. To receive the designation, schools must meet rigorous standards in English Language Arts, math, attendance, and student well-being. The California Distinguished Schools program, administered by the California Department of Education, honors public schools that have made significant progress in closing achievement gaps and preparing students for success. |
This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of our dedicated students, staff, and families across both campuses. At ICEF, we believe every student deserves a high-quality education, and this honor is a testament to what is possible when a school community comes together around that shared goal.
Congratulations to ICEF Vista Middle Academy and ICEF View Park Preparatory High. We could not be more proud.
Congratulations to ICEF Vista Middle Academy and ICEF View Park Preparatory High. We could not be more proud.
ICEF Public Schools 2024-25 Academic Results Are In!
2.13.26 | At ICEF Public Schools, our mission is clear: to educate and empower courageous leaders to embrace their full potential in college, career, and life. Strong academics are a core part of that promise because literacy and math proficiency unlock tangible opportunities for students.
This year's academic results highlight what happens when great teaching, strong school leadership, and consistent systems come together in service of students. In 2024-25, ICEF outperformed local districts and the state of California in both English Language Arts and Math.
Our results for Black/African American, Hispanic, and socioeconomically disadvantaged students significantly exceeded state outcomes, underscoring our belief that student brilliance is universal and excellence is our responsibility.
Understanding the Results
ICEF's network-wide Distance from Standard (DFS) was -2.8 in English Language Arts, outpacing Inglewood Unified, LA Unified, and California by at least 5 points. In Math, ICEF led with a DFS of -35.2, surpassing the state by 7.2 points.
When disaggregated by student group, achievement outpaces district and state averages by even greater margins.
Schools Demonstrating Exceptional Performance
Several ICEF schools earned green or blue ratings in at least half of the California Dashboard measures this year.
These results are the product of daily commitments made by our teachers and school leaders, who plan strong lessons, build classroom culture, analyze student work, deliver targeted interventions, and hold the bar high with care.
Strategic partnerships strengthen this work. Through Relay Graduate School of Education, our leaders engage in coursework, coaching, and collaborative learning grounded in real-time application and best practices in the field. We provide high-dosage math tutoring during and beyond the school day to accelerate learning. Our data-informed instruction uses live student dashboards, weekly progress monitoring, and real-time classroom feedback to drive timely instructional decisions. Our partnership with ALDER Graduate School of Education places teacher residents with our strongest mentors, building a mission-aligned pipeline of well-prepared educators.
What Comes Next
As we look ahead, we will keep strengthening the core of instructional leadership, high-dosage tutoring, and data-driven instruction, while expanding whole-child opportunities through our continued investment in arts and athletics:
Thank you to our teachers, school leaders, and staff for the excellence you deliver every day, and to our families, board, donors, and partners for standing with our students and our community.
Want to learn more? Download the full 2024-25 Academic Report or contact us to schedule a school tour and see what makes ICEF different.
This year's academic results highlight what happens when great teaching, strong school leadership, and consistent systems come together in service of students. In 2024-25, ICEF outperformed local districts and the state of California in both English Language Arts and Math.
Our results for Black/African American, Hispanic, and socioeconomically disadvantaged students significantly exceeded state outcomes, underscoring our belief that student brilliance is universal and excellence is our responsibility.
Understanding the Results
ICEF's network-wide Distance from Standard (DFS) was -2.8 in English Language Arts, outpacing Inglewood Unified, LA Unified, and California by at least 5 points. In Math, ICEF led with a DFS of -35.2, surpassing the state by 7.2 points.
When disaggregated by student group, achievement outpaces district and state averages by even greater margins.
- Hispanic students exceeded the state by 50.3 points in ELA and 75.7 points in Math, with both scores above grade-level standard.
- Black/African American students exceeded the state by 32.4 points in ELA and 33.5 points in Math.
Schools Demonstrating Exceptional Performance
Several ICEF schools earned green or blue ratings in at least half of the California Dashboard measures this year.
- ICEF Vista Elementary Academy was named a 2025 California Distinguished School, one of 336 recipients across the state. The school was recognized by The 74 Million and ranked in the top 5% for third-grade reading proficiency among schools with high poverty rates. Vista Elementary outperformed the state by 30.6 points in ELA and 44.4 points in Math.
- ICEF Vista Middle Academy sustains that excellence, with students performing above grade-level standard in both ELA and Math. Vista Middle outperformed the state by 33.6 points in ELA and 60.7 points in Math. Together, these schools demonstrate the strength of a coherent K-8 academic pipeline.
- ICEF Inglewood Elementary Charter Academy received similar recognition from The 74 Million for reading achievement. The school's Hispanic students exceeded the state by 81.7 points in ELA and 101.7 points in Math, with both scores above grade-level standard.
- ICEF View Park Preparatory High maintains a 95% graduation rate while serving a student community that is 90% Black/African American and 97% socioeconomically disadvantaged. View Park achieved DFS gains of 82.2 points in ELA and 85.1 points in Math from 2022-23 to 2024-25.
These results are the product of daily commitments made by our teachers and school leaders, who plan strong lessons, build classroom culture, analyze student work, deliver targeted interventions, and hold the bar high with care.
Strategic partnerships strengthen this work. Through Relay Graduate School of Education, our leaders engage in coursework, coaching, and collaborative learning grounded in real-time application and best practices in the field. We provide high-dosage math tutoring during and beyond the school day to accelerate learning. Our data-informed instruction uses live student dashboards, weekly progress monitoring, and real-time classroom feedback to drive timely instructional decisions. Our partnership with ALDER Graduate School of Education places teacher residents with our strongest mentors, building a mission-aligned pipeline of well-prepared educators.
What Comes Next
As we look ahead, we will keep strengthening the core of instructional leadership, high-dosage tutoring, and data-driven instruction, while expanding whole-child opportunities through our continued investment in arts and athletics:
- Expanding our High Impact Teacher Program to broaden the reach of our top-performing educators through targeted tutoring
- Prioritizing quality science instruction that engages students in investigating real-world phenomena through inquiry, collaboration, and evidence-based reasoning
- Growing our investment in arts and athletics because nurturing each student's genius requires a well-rounded liberal arts education
Thank you to our teachers, school leaders, and staff for the excellence you deliver every day, and to our families, board, donors, and partners for standing with our students and our community.
Want to learn more? Download the full 2024-25 Academic Report or contact us to schedule a school tour and see what makes ICEF different.
ICEF ALUM: THE OLYMPIAN
Team USA's Nia Toliver
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3.12.25 | Nia Toliver comes from a family of ICEF alums. A 2021 graduate, Toliver was a Sports Illustrated High School Athlete of the Month as a junior before earning All-American honors both at VPHS and in college at AIC. Little did she know that when she signed a contract to play abroad for two years in Japan, she would return as a member of the US Olympic rugby team. We caught up with Nia recently to learn more about her background and introduction to rugby, her Olympic journey, and the amazing experiences that followed her tenure at ICEF.
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Read Our Q&A With Nia Toliver
Q: Let’s start in the present. Where are you and what is coming up in your rugby future?
Right now, I’m focused on training and getting back to my best after some setbacks. My main goal is to keep improving, stay healthy, and be ready for the next World Series stop.
Q: You previously earned a spot on the Olympic team. Was that an early goal of yours, or did that manifest itself as you evolved in the rugby world?
I didn’t grow up thinking about the Olympics because rugby wasn’t in the picture for me early on. But once I started playing and seeing how far I could go, the Olympic dream became real. It wasn’t just about making the team—it was about proving to myself that I could compete at the highest level.
Q: The Olympics itself. How do you sum up that experience in total?
It was an intense and surreal experience. There’s nothing like representing your country on the biggest stage. The preparation, the sacrifices, the pressure—it all comes together in a way that’s hard to describe. More than anything, it reinforced my love for the game and the power of sport to bring people together.
Q: Let’s rewind to your backstory - who is Nia Toliver and where did you come from? What’s your story?
I’m from South Central Los Angeles, and I grew up in an environment where opportunities weren’t always obvious or easily accessible. I wasn’t handed a clear path—I had to find it. Sports, and rugby in particular, opened doors for me, giving me a way to travel, compete, and build a future I never imagined when I was younger.
Q: Related to ICEF, let’s think back to day one of rugby. How did you get involved, and how did you grow to appreciate the value of the sport in those early days?
I got into rugby through ICEF, and at first, I had no idea what I was getting into. It wasn’t a sport I grew up watching or even knew existed. But once I started playing, I fell in love with the physicality, the teamwork, and the culture. ICEF helped me see that rugby was more than just a sport—it was an opportunity to grow, travel, and challenge myself in ways I never expected.
Q: With ICEF Rugby comes many other enrichment opportunities like regional, national, and global travel. What opportunities did you enjoy during your time here at ICEF?
ICEF gave me the chance to travel and experience the world in a way I wouldn’t have otherwise. Competing in different states, meeting people from diverse backgrounds, and even traveling internationally—it all helped shape my perspective. Those experiences showed me that my dreams weren’t limited to where I was from; there was a whole world out there waiting to be explored.
Q: Some underserved students in urban settings find it hard to comprehend access to amazing opportunities outside of their environs. It just seems so far away and unattainable. How would you counsel students who feel like great things are out of their reach?
I’d tell them that I was in their shoes once. I know what it feels like to think certain opportunities aren’t meant for you. But the truth is, you have to believe in yourself before anyone else will. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away—just take the first step. Work hard, stay open to new experiences, and trust that small opportunities can lead to bigger ones.
Q: ICEF Rugby stresses leadership qualities. Do you feel like that rubbed off on you as you emerged in the world rugby spotlight?
Definitely. ICEF helped me understand that leadership isn’t just about being vocal—it’s about leading by example, being accountable, and lifting up those around you. Those lessons stuck with me as I moved up in the rugby world, and they continue to shape how I carry myself on and off the field.
Q: US Rugby has undoubtedly taken you many amazing places. What’s the most amazing, awe-inspiring place that you’ve experienced thanks to the global nature of the sport?
Japan stands out the most. Playing rugby there was an incredible experience—not just because of the competition, but because of the culture, the people, and the way the game is respected. Winning in Japan with my team was a highlight of my career, and it showed me how rugby truly connects people across the world.
Q: Rugby is a physically taxing sport. Eventually, your body will tell you that it’s had enough. What’s your plan when the next phase of your life arrives? Future goals and objectives?
I’ve thought about this a lot. When my playing days are over, I want to stay involved in rugby, whether that’s through coaching or mentorship. Beyond that, I have big goals outside of sports—I want to open an elderly care home and a mental health clinic in Los Angeles. Seeing how other countries, especially Japan, care for their elderly inspired me, and I want to bring that same level of care and support to my community.
Right now, I’m focused on training and getting back to my best after some setbacks. My main goal is to keep improving, stay healthy, and be ready for the next World Series stop.
Q: You previously earned a spot on the Olympic team. Was that an early goal of yours, or did that manifest itself as you evolved in the rugby world?
I didn’t grow up thinking about the Olympics because rugby wasn’t in the picture for me early on. But once I started playing and seeing how far I could go, the Olympic dream became real. It wasn’t just about making the team—it was about proving to myself that I could compete at the highest level.
Q: The Olympics itself. How do you sum up that experience in total?
It was an intense and surreal experience. There’s nothing like representing your country on the biggest stage. The preparation, the sacrifices, the pressure—it all comes together in a way that’s hard to describe. More than anything, it reinforced my love for the game and the power of sport to bring people together.
Q: Let’s rewind to your backstory - who is Nia Toliver and where did you come from? What’s your story?
I’m from South Central Los Angeles, and I grew up in an environment where opportunities weren’t always obvious or easily accessible. I wasn’t handed a clear path—I had to find it. Sports, and rugby in particular, opened doors for me, giving me a way to travel, compete, and build a future I never imagined when I was younger.
Q: Related to ICEF, let’s think back to day one of rugby. How did you get involved, and how did you grow to appreciate the value of the sport in those early days?
I got into rugby through ICEF, and at first, I had no idea what I was getting into. It wasn’t a sport I grew up watching or even knew existed. But once I started playing, I fell in love with the physicality, the teamwork, and the culture. ICEF helped me see that rugby was more than just a sport—it was an opportunity to grow, travel, and challenge myself in ways I never expected.
Q: With ICEF Rugby comes many other enrichment opportunities like regional, national, and global travel. What opportunities did you enjoy during your time here at ICEF?
ICEF gave me the chance to travel and experience the world in a way I wouldn’t have otherwise. Competing in different states, meeting people from diverse backgrounds, and even traveling internationally—it all helped shape my perspective. Those experiences showed me that my dreams weren’t limited to where I was from; there was a whole world out there waiting to be explored.
Q: Some underserved students in urban settings find it hard to comprehend access to amazing opportunities outside of their environs. It just seems so far away and unattainable. How would you counsel students who feel like great things are out of their reach?
I’d tell them that I was in their shoes once. I know what it feels like to think certain opportunities aren’t meant for you. But the truth is, you have to believe in yourself before anyone else will. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away—just take the first step. Work hard, stay open to new experiences, and trust that small opportunities can lead to bigger ones.
Q: ICEF Rugby stresses leadership qualities. Do you feel like that rubbed off on you as you emerged in the world rugby spotlight?
Definitely. ICEF helped me understand that leadership isn’t just about being vocal—it’s about leading by example, being accountable, and lifting up those around you. Those lessons stuck with me as I moved up in the rugby world, and they continue to shape how I carry myself on and off the field.
Q: US Rugby has undoubtedly taken you many amazing places. What’s the most amazing, awe-inspiring place that you’ve experienced thanks to the global nature of the sport?
Japan stands out the most. Playing rugby there was an incredible experience—not just because of the competition, but because of the culture, the people, and the way the game is respected. Winning in Japan with my team was a highlight of my career, and it showed me how rugby truly connects people across the world.
Q: Rugby is a physically taxing sport. Eventually, your body will tell you that it’s had enough. What’s your plan when the next phase of your life arrives? Future goals and objectives?
I’ve thought about this a lot. When my playing days are over, I want to stay involved in rugby, whether that’s through coaching or mentorship. Beyond that, I have big goals outside of sports—I want to open an elderly care home and a mental health clinic in Los Angeles. Seeing how other countries, especially Japan, care for their elderly inspired me, and I want to bring that same level of care and support to my community.
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ICEF Launches Online Community Resource Hub for FamiliesDeveloped by the ICEF Community Schools team, the Community Resource Hub gathers key online links and contact information for organizations focused on various services including housing, juvenile services, immigration, food security, and more.
Read the full story below. |
Read About ICEF's Community Resource Hub
1.06.25 | ICEF Public Schools has launched an online destination for social service resources in the greater Los Angeles area, easing access to various agencies and providers offering services to LA-area youngsters and their families.
Developed by the ICEF Community Schools team, the Community Resource Hub gathers key online links and contact information for organizations focused on various services including housing, juvenile services, immigration, food security, and more.
While not meant to be an exhaustive list, the Community Resource Hub - which will update frequently as new service organizations are added - helps guide families to essential local, city, and state providers who can best meet their needs outside of the school surrounding.
With questions about the Community Resource Hub, or to add organizations and providers, please contact Community Schools program coordinator Brandan Aldridge.
Developed by the ICEF Community Schools team, the Community Resource Hub gathers key online links and contact information for organizations focused on various services including housing, juvenile services, immigration, food security, and more.
While not meant to be an exhaustive list, the Community Resource Hub - which will update frequently as new service organizations are added - helps guide families to essential local, city, and state providers who can best meet their needs outside of the school surrounding.
With questions about the Community Resource Hub, or to add organizations and providers, please contact Community Schools program coordinator Brandan Aldridge.
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ICEF Announces TyAnthony Davis as new President/CEO“I am honored to join ICEF Public Schools as Chief Executive Officer. For over 25 years, ICEF has been a beacon of educational excellence in Los Angeles, steadfastly committed to empowering students to achieve their fullest potential,” said Mr. Davis. “As we look to the future, my vision is to build upon ICEF’s history of service to the community, enhancing our capacity to serve more students and families, and providing the foundation for students to realize their dreams and lead self-determined lives.”
Read the full announcement below. |
Read About New ICEF CEO TyAnthony Davis
11.22.24 | Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF) today announced that TyAnthony Davis has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Operating seven schools within Los Angeles and Inglewood Unified School Districts, ICEF Public Schools prepares students of all academic aptitudes to function successfully in college, career, and life.
Mr. Davis is an education executive with nearly twenty years of academic and professional experience. Mr. Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies from Yale University, an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and is a licensed attorney in California.
He began his academic career as a 4th grade teacher with Teach for America in Las Vegas. He launched his legal career in Los Angeles working in corporate transactions and venture capital at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP. After practicing law, he realized his true passion was in education and founded a charter school, Vox Collegiate of Los Angeles, in 2017.
He began his academic career as a 4th grade teacher with Teach for America in Las Vegas. He launched his legal career in Los Angeles working in corporate transactions and venture capital at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP. After practicing law, he realized his true passion was in education and founded a charter school, Vox Collegiate of Los Angeles, in 2017.
At Vox Collegiate of Los Angeles, Mr. Davis created innovative learning environments that blended instruction with technology and focused on uplifting and strengthening communications as a key skill for success in career and life. And in 2023, Mr. Davis co-founded Enlighten AI, an education technology company leveraging AI to make the hard work of teaching more sustainable.
“Mr. Davis’ expertise and proven track record of accountability demonstrates clear alignment with ICEF’s strategic path forward,” said Dr. Angila Romious, Chair, ICEF Board of Directors. “The ICEF Board of Directors found Mr. Davis’ unique blend of educational technology, entrepreneurial and financial acumen, and innovative practices to problem solving, as defining characteristics that will lead to long-term advancement of student academic outcomes that parents and our community have come to know and expect from us.”
“I am honored to join ICEF Public Schools as Chief Executive Officer. For over 25 years, ICEF has been a beacon of educational excellence in Los Angeles, steadfastly committed to empowering students to achieve their fullest potential,” added Mr. Davis. “As we look to the future, my vision is to build upon ICEF’s history of service to the community, enhancing our capacity to serve more students and families, and providing the foundation for students to realize their dreams and lead self-determined lives.”
Mr. Davis succeeds Parker Hudnut who served as Chief Executive Officer for 13 years. Mr. Hudnut’s tenure of accomplishments included positioning ICEF on strong financial footing and overseeing ICEF’s new 2023 to 2026 strategic plan.
“We are incredibly grateful for Parker’s dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our students and staff during his tenure with us. Because of Parker’s leadership, we are a stronger and more visionary team,” continued Dr. Romious.
Mr. Davis’ appointment comes following a robust and competitive national search process with support from The Hawkins Company, a talent acquisition and management company with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The search process was led by a committee of the ICEF Board, headed by Chair Romious together with two other executive committee members, Board member Dana Henry and Board member William “Boutie” Lucas.
Mr. Davis is an education executive with nearly twenty years of academic and professional experience. Mr. Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies from Yale University, an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and is a licensed attorney in California.
He began his academic career as a 4th grade teacher with Teach for America in Las Vegas. He launched his legal career in Los Angeles working in corporate transactions and venture capital at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP. After practicing law, he realized his true passion was in education and founded a charter school, Vox Collegiate of Los Angeles, in 2017.
He began his academic career as a 4th grade teacher with Teach for America in Las Vegas. He launched his legal career in Los Angeles working in corporate transactions and venture capital at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP. After practicing law, he realized his true passion was in education and founded a charter school, Vox Collegiate of Los Angeles, in 2017.
At Vox Collegiate of Los Angeles, Mr. Davis created innovative learning environments that blended instruction with technology and focused on uplifting and strengthening communications as a key skill for success in career and life. And in 2023, Mr. Davis co-founded Enlighten AI, an education technology company leveraging AI to make the hard work of teaching more sustainable.
“Mr. Davis’ expertise and proven track record of accountability demonstrates clear alignment with ICEF’s strategic path forward,” said Dr. Angila Romious, Chair, ICEF Board of Directors. “The ICEF Board of Directors found Mr. Davis’ unique blend of educational technology, entrepreneurial and financial acumen, and innovative practices to problem solving, as defining characteristics that will lead to long-term advancement of student academic outcomes that parents and our community have come to know and expect from us.”
“I am honored to join ICEF Public Schools as Chief Executive Officer. For over 25 years, ICEF has been a beacon of educational excellence in Los Angeles, steadfastly committed to empowering students to achieve their fullest potential,” added Mr. Davis. “As we look to the future, my vision is to build upon ICEF’s history of service to the community, enhancing our capacity to serve more students and families, and providing the foundation for students to realize their dreams and lead self-determined lives.”
Mr. Davis succeeds Parker Hudnut who served as Chief Executive Officer for 13 years. Mr. Hudnut’s tenure of accomplishments included positioning ICEF on strong financial footing and overseeing ICEF’s new 2023 to 2026 strategic plan.
“We are incredibly grateful for Parker’s dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our students and staff during his tenure with us. Because of Parker’s leadership, we are a stronger and more visionary team,” continued Dr. Romious.
Mr. Davis’ appointment comes following a robust and competitive national search process with support from The Hawkins Company, a talent acquisition and management company with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The search process was led by a committee of the ICEF Board, headed by Chair Romious together with two other executive committee members, Board member Dana Henry and Board member William “Boutie” Lucas.
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Roderick Abdul is The Next ShowmanThere are countless students who excel in all aspects of an ICEF education, and VPHS freshman Roderick Abdul is certainly one of them. An outfielder on the baseball diamond and a scene stealer on the performing arts stage, Roderick has followed the View Park path since kindergarten and only time will tell is the high school can keep up with him. Read his story below.
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Read About VPHS's Roderick Abdul
6.22.24 | There are countless students who excel in all aspects of an ICEF education, and VPHS freshman Roderick Abdul is certainly one of them. An outfielder on the baseball diamond and a scene stealer on the performing arts stage, Roderick has followed the View Park path since kindergarten and only time will tell is the high school can keep up with him.
Self-described as “a little bit jumpy” and full of energy as a youngster, Roderick relished the opportunity to audition for ICEF’s version of the Disney musical “Frozen” while still at View Park Middle School. “The first audition is always nerve-wracking, but when you get done and you, like, find out who you are, it's fun. The process is fun.”
Roderick adds that his roles in the performing arts have opened up new friendships and relationships that have helped his transition to the high school. “To express myself and like see different point of views from everywhere,” he says, “and to see what I would probably want to do in the future… that’s really it.”
Now a freshman, it’s understandable for Roderick to look ahead and envision his future beyond View Park. Already, he’s formulating a plan. “I have started to think about what comes after high school,” he admits. “I do want to pursue a Performing Arts career, like going on Broadway or TV and Disney Channel and other channels like that.”
But for now, Roderick has more pressing business at hand. School elections are underway and he’s in the running… for School Mascot! “I am a very lovable and humorous guy,” his flyer proclaims, posted all along the school hallways. “I am always the life of the party. I know how to get a crowd hyped up and lit. Vote Roderick Abdul for School Mascot.”
It’s only the start of freshman year, and already this View Park student is getting the party started.
Self-described as “a little bit jumpy” and full of energy as a youngster, Roderick relished the opportunity to audition for ICEF’s version of the Disney musical “Frozen” while still at View Park Middle School. “The first audition is always nerve-wracking, but when you get done and you, like, find out who you are, it's fun. The process is fun.”
Roderick adds that his roles in the performing arts have opened up new friendships and relationships that have helped his transition to the high school. “To express myself and like see different point of views from everywhere,” he says, “and to see what I would probably want to do in the future… that’s really it.”
Now a freshman, it’s understandable for Roderick to look ahead and envision his future beyond View Park. Already, he’s formulating a plan. “I have started to think about what comes after high school,” he admits. “I do want to pursue a Performing Arts career, like going on Broadway or TV and Disney Channel and other channels like that.”
But for now, Roderick has more pressing business at hand. School elections are underway and he’s in the running… for School Mascot! “I am a very lovable and humorous guy,” his flyer proclaims, posted all along the school hallways. “I am always the life of the party. I know how to get a crowd hyped up and lit. Vote Roderick Abdul for School Mascot.”
It’s only the start of freshman year, and already this View Park student is getting the party started.
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