Even though Lynn Martinez is a very busy mom – singing, acting, working in human resources, and managing her family of five – she took the time to share with us why she and her daughter, Elise, love Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVi) Charter School, a tuition-free TK-12th grade school in Castaic.
And yes, maybe like you, we’re wondering just how Lynn finds time. We’re guessing being an early bird and getting up at 5 AM is definitely part of the answer. Her favorite mocha frappe probably helps, too.
When did Elise start SCVi?
Elise started SCVi midyear in 5th grade and is going into 7th grade now.
Why did you choose to enroll Elise at SCVi?
Our family relocated to the Santa Clarita Valley in December of 2022 but before we did, I did my research on the various schools in the area and was instantly impressed with all the learning options and experiences SCVi offers. I quickly submitted the enrollment form and was so happy when Elise was accepted.
Who is a strong SCVi influence and why?
All the facilitators are amazing but Ms. Rose comes to mind. Since Elise came in midyear we were a little worried about how she would adapt to her new learning environment, but her facilitators were so encouraging and allowed Elise to explore, grow and thrive! What a great introduction to SCVi! We are so grateful for Elise’s first facilitators at SCVi.
What are some of the events you enjoy at SCVi?
Elise has enjoyed participating in the theatre arts program (and performing in this past spring’s play) and the DreamUp to Space program. She also enjoys Math Night, filled with competitions, games, food, and prizes.
What is your best memory of your time at SCVi so far?
I have two memories so far. Our favorite project has to be DreamUp to Space. This is an amazing program that allowed Elise to develop her STEAM skills by going through the hypothesis and research process, collaborating with her teammates on preparing the experiment to go to space and traveling to Florida to the Kennedy Space Center to see all the amazing exhibits and witness the launch of her experiment into space. The awards ceremony was so memorable and we are so happy Elise got to be a part of this program.
SO AWESOME.
Also, we were able to watch Elise go through her first official audition, casting and performance process with SCVi. It was such a joy to see her shine on stage. These experiences and so many more have confirmed that we made the right decision for Elise.
Fun Facts About the Martinez Family
The Martinez Family is a family of performers.
Elise’s dad is a professional percussionist/gaitero from Cartagena, Colombia, who has played with many well-known Colombian artists, such as Toto La Momposina, Petrona Martinez, Moises Angulo and Shakira. He won a Grammy for the studio recording of Vives by Carlos Vives. He has traveled the world with the National Ballet of Colombia and has taught workshops on his musical tradition throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America and the US.
Elise’s older sister is a professional dancer who has performed the traditional Colombian dances in Europe and has appeared as a dancer in a variety of TV shows in Colombia.
Elise’s mom is a professional actor and singer and has performed both on stage and screen with companies including East LA Rep and Bilingual Foundation of the Arts. She has traveled through the US and Europe singing with the Continental Singers. She also works for the City of Los Angeles in Human Resources for the Mayor and Council Offices.
Elise and her little brother are honing their artistic skills and we are so excited that SCVi is a place where Elise can explore all her interests and talents.
We love having Elise, her family, and all of our families at SCVi. Join us – our tuition-free TK-12th grade charter school is enrolling now!
About SCVi:
Santa Clarita Valley International School (SCVi) is a free public charter school empowering TK-12th graders to become conscientious, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world. We use project-based and social-emotional learning concepts to inspire and motivate lifelong learners with the skills they need to lead in the 21st century. We incorporate technology into every component of our curriculum, and we value and encourage development of leadership skills by inspiring confidence and character in each of our unique learners. Join our innovative school today!
On Monday, Feb. 26, NASA’s Al Bowers visited 8th grade learners at SCVi. Mr. Bowers is the chief scientist at Armstrong Flight Research Center and has worked on countless projects while there. Mr. Bowers comes with a vast knowledge base in the aeronautics field and has graciously made himself accessible to our learners. He presented at SCVi on his own inspirational journey and Prandtl Wing. 
Educational standards describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject in each grade. The California Department of Education decides on the standards for all students in the state, from kindergarten through 12th grade. The California Department of Education helps schools ensure that all students are meeting the standards.
The field studies program at SCVi gives our learners the opportunity to become personally involved in their learning through practical field applications and hand-on experiences. Field studies are directly connected to the projects learners are working on and give them an opportunity to work and learn beyond the learning space. Field studies can result in greater achievement in all subjects. Real-life application of the lessons and Presentations of Learning help learners understand the relevance of what they are learning.
