Benjamin Davis Middle School

Turning plastic waste into a sustainable school.

Davis Middle School, in the Compton Unified School District, exemplifies transformative education, going from a school afflicted by unruly behavior to an exemplar of academic excellence and innovation, now serving as a beacon within the community and boasting a student body of 474.

Davis scholars and their innovative projects have been recognized with numerous awards on both a national and international level such as the Ciena World Challenge Award Winners 2023 and 2024, City of STEM Competition Los Angeles Winners 2024, 3rd Place STEAMFest Competition 2024, and many more.

Under former Principal Patrick Sullivan’s strategic leadership and continued by now Principal Carol Hsini, the school initiated profound changes, including the establishment of a STEM academy. The school's emphasis on Project-Based Learning (PBL) is supported by substantial investments in technology, courtesy of partnerships with Verizon and Digital Promise. These initiatives have equipped every student with an iPad and provided access to five state-of-the-art Verizon labs, complete with virtual reality setups and 3D printers.

These efforts have not only improved immediate school culture but also led to remarkable academic achievements. Attendance rates have soared, with absenteeism dropping to just 2%, and student performance has climbed from the lowest in the district to top percentile rankings. Even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the school's commitment to excellence and community support has continued unabated.

Cultural responsiveness is also key in the school’s curriculum, ensuring it resonates with the diverse backgrounds of the students, thus enhancing engagement and academic performance. Through initiatives like the Mars Habitat Project, recognised in the International Ciena World Challenge, students connect classroom learning with global and local issues, fostering practical and impactful solutions.

Should Benjamin Davis Middle School win the World’s Best School Prize for Innovation, the prize money will be invested in expanding its STEM programmes and enhancing its project-based learning initiatives. The funds will also help scale successful models like the Student Tech Team to other schools within the district, broadening the impact of its innovative educational practices.