West California Academy of Art and Design (WCAAD) is a K-12 Supplemental Educational Program (SEP) that focuses on Art and Design education and Portfolio Preparation for children and youth. The SEP’s main branch is located in San Gabriel and has opened a children’s campus in Walnut in August 2024. The program serves approximately 536 students now serving nationwide and international students via in person and online courses. Students across the globe can now take advantage of the educational art and design program reaching students as far as Australia, China, Germany, Canada, San Diego, Texas, Taiwan Beijing etc., as we have established a reputation and facilities to address the demand and need for art education.
 
History
The program was established in 1996 and has supported student artists who have gone on to have successful careers in their chosen fields. Since the program’s inception more than 5,000+ students win top honors in a variety of competitions across the globe, and many students have also received congressional awards and honors. The curriculum emphasizes specialized courses that build on core skills, and challenge students to creating distinctive, exceptional and meaningful artistic work.

Curriculum
Curriculum is comprised of a calibrated mix of rigorous courses designed to help students maximize their art education. The program also promotes a cross-culture dialogue through awareness of historical and cultural context, artistic perceptions and aesthetic valuing. The program focuses on educating students for successful student college entrance by portfolio preparation and or hobbyist, with lifelong art appreciation.
 
Students are also provided information on potential careers in art and design through our instructions and college counseling service. The program strengthens students’ interest in art by strengthening their skills in artistic expression. Students improve their drawing abilities, aesthetic temperament and creativity, as well as their intellectual performance in other subjects.
 
Academy’s Mission                                                                                                                               
Objective:
To expand student’s vision of life through various means of self-expression and stimulate their interests in creative drawing and artistic visual fundamentals, and to increase their overall creativity and ability to express their feelings through arts.
 
Method:
We employ an inspirational method of teaching by arranging our curriculum according to the phases of children’s psychological development. By training students to observe, memorize and develop their imagination, we help students master the fundamental skills of creative visual art.
 
Philosophy
Many people argue that children's education can be better, but few know what better looks like. Our vision is of a new world of learning, a place where creativity is the rule instead of the exception, and a place of inspiration and aspiration based on the urgent belief that creativity is the key to the survival of our next generation.
 
Arts and Academics are deeply connected disciplines, and there is nothing dispensable in this discipline at West California Academy of Art and Design. The arts we teach here are central to the mission of educating students in math, science, and the humanities at their elementary, junior and high school studies and beyond, allowing young people to develop a creative understanding of the world.
 
West California Academy of Art and Design can help your children turn their interest, talent and energy into capabilities that shape their future. Our 500+ students each academic year will immerse themselves in a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum that prepares them to be the creative leaders of tomorrow, no matter what field they choose.