Over 120 years of unique educationFrom a One-Room School House to a
California Public Charter School HistoryThe “Wawona School District” was first established in the mid-1890’s, prior to Wawona becoming part of Yosemite National Park. Our one-room school’s rich history has spanned more than 120 years. We are grateful that our community’s pioneers had the wisdom to establish a local school to educate their children. We are committed to upholding that vision for our children of today and for future generations.
The school has occupied four different buildings during it's history--from the first schoolhouse (pictured above), to the modern facility now in use. Our school has greatly expanded over the years and our current school facilities include a large dividable classroom, extensive library, tech center, multipurpose room, kitchen, separate staff & student restroom facilities, school office and a teacher resource room. Beyond the main classrooms, our campus provides a baseball field, track, basketball court and playground --as well as the added classroom without walls and playground of the beautiful Wawona community and Yosemite area at large. Utilizing our incredible natural surroundings in and around Yosemite National Park is an integral part of our curriculum. Recent History |
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In 2004, a non-profit organization was founded in the community of Wawona to financially support school needs for Wawona Elementary School. From 2009 - 2013, the Yosemite-Wawona Educational Foundation (Y-WEF) funding kept the school operational while developing a charter petition.
California Public Charter School
In 2014, the charter petition was approved, establishing a new beginning for our school as a tuition-free California public charter school, authorized by Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District (BLJUESD). We began this new journey as Yosemite-Wawona Elementary Charter School (Y-WECS)! In 2019, the charter petition was renewed by the Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District.
Y-WECS is currently operating in its 5th year as a California public charter school.
Our school offers a multiage classroom for TK-6th grade students with a project-based curriculum that fosters curiosity & life-long learning.
We offer a unique education that utilizes the incredible natural and human resources within Yosemite National Park, fostering a deep sense of environmental stewardship.
Learning is achieved in a respectful and supportive environment that enhances integrity, respect, responsibility and compassion for others and the world as a whole.
Our tuition-free public charter school serves families in all nearby counties and accepts enrollment forms on an on-going basis.
Should the number of enrollment forms received exceed our current student capacity for a given school year,
students will be placed on a wait-list and entered into a lottery for future open seats, as necessary.
California Public Charter School
In 2014, the charter petition was approved, establishing a new beginning for our school as a tuition-free California public charter school, authorized by Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District (BLJUESD). We began this new journey as Yosemite-Wawona Elementary Charter School (Y-WECS)! In 2019, the charter petition was renewed by the Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District.
Y-WECS is currently operating in its 5th year as a California public charter school.
Our school offers a multiage classroom for TK-6th grade students with a project-based curriculum that fosters curiosity & life-long learning.
We offer a unique education that utilizes the incredible natural and human resources within Yosemite National Park, fostering a deep sense of environmental stewardship.
Learning is achieved in a respectful and supportive environment that enhances integrity, respect, responsibility and compassion for others and the world as a whole.
Our tuition-free public charter school serves families in all nearby counties and accepts enrollment forms on an on-going basis.
Should the number of enrollment forms received exceed our current student capacity for a given school year,
students will be placed on a wait-list and entered into a lottery for future open seats, as necessary.
