​WCAAD student Ashley Xiang was accepted by Cornell University- Architecture in 2020.  She wrote a comment about our school on Yelp.
 
“I was just starting my college application process when I realized most of my colleges required specific portfolios. The academy helped me strengthen my foundational skills and develop a well rounded portfolio that showcased my specific skills! Omar always provided great critiques and advice on specific pieces and on essays. Overall, it was a great experience, super helpful, and I was able to get accepted into my dream school so I highly recommend enrolling or even going in for a trial class!” ----Ashley Xiang

​WCAAD student Gianna Ouyang was accepted by Pratt Institute- Architecture in 2022 with a scholarship of $35,000/yr total $140,000.

She wrote a comment about our school on Yelp.

“As a high school senior who has attended WCAAD for 2 years and who has just received offers from multiple art colleges, I am writing this review with complete honesty and gratitude.

I'm really grateful that I have the opportunity to enroll in WCAAD's classes and meet two very amazing teachers, Omar and Jack. Both Omar and Jack are incredibly supportive even outside of class time. Throughout the entire process of building my portfolio and application, they were always very responsive to my late-nights and early morning email questions. My teachers really went above and beyond what is expected in the college application, and they really make sure that students are prepared to enter their college lives. They also have a lot of resources. I am able to meet college counselors, learn what it's like in college, and take a glim of the art career fields.

I also really enjoy the environment there. My classmates are really talented and committed. This safe and healthy competitive environment really urges me to work hard and push myself. My classmates are super supportive as we did a lot of critiques to help each other out.

Everybody there is so encouraged to help each other improve and undoubtedly I need to say that I cannot have the skills and achievements that I have today without WCCAD. So if you are looking for an institute to help you build up your portfolio for colleges definitely take WCCAD into consideration.  

p.s. sometimes the teachers might be strict about their teaching and hw stuff, but don't be intimidated by that, it will all pay off in the end!! Good luck good luck!” ---- Gianna Ouyang

​The Chinese American Education Association recognized Wang Lei, the principal of West California Academy of Art and Design, with the Art Education Achievement Award for her 50 years of excellence in art education.

​“I feel thrilled to have received this Award, which honors me for my contribution in children’s art education throughout the years.” Wang Lei said, “I would like to thank Chinese American Education Association for recognizing me with such an honor, and Dr. Marina Tse for presenting me this Art Education Achievement Award!”

​The academy's students produce exceptional art for their age and we've achieved a reputation as “the children’s art school with most art contest winners.”  To date, more than 4,000 students of our school have won top awards in various national and international art contests, often sweeping the top three prizes.  

West California Academy of Art and Design 100-Student Group Artworks are collected by 2015 Art Exhibition for Nobel Peace Laureates Summit.


Art enriches children's lives, develops children’s creativity, and prepares children for the future. Being creative and being able to learn are lifelong skills and can be used in everyday situations.  The Academy’s instructors encourage students to participate in art contests.  Indeed, many students earning acceptance to top universities have art contest experiences. The message the educators here give students is that just as you strive for excellence in art, you must try your best in everything you do.
Winning contest can give students a great sense of accomplishment and confidence. Most importantly, students learn a lot by just participating contests. They learn to work under pressure and time, and putting their best effort (extra details and best craftsmanship, and patience) in order to make one of the kind of art work: It is a lot of work. Please be proud of your children as we are. They deserve a recognition and encouragement from you as well for their extra hard work.
Here at West California Academy of Art and Design, the instructors engage children’s curiosity and motivate them to learn, teach them according to their individual needs, emphasizing their sense of observation, memory and imagination in their training. The creative skills children have learned also apply to other subjects, increase self confidence and build a strong foundation for higher studies and future careers.
Creativity has the power to transform, improve, and revolutionize.  Our art training programs will act as a catalyst for your children’s creativity. We’re leading the way in art education that prepares our students to grapple with the complexities of the world, to thrive in their future education, careers, and adult lives.

“I drew this drawing in the imagination of what an environmentally-safe city would possibly look like in the future. Starting off with a solar panel road, sturdy enough to be driven by electric cars, using the sun as power for electricity would help the environment greatly by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In case of a day with the sun covered by clouds, the windmills behind the city can help power the city. Though I'm aware that windmills aren't usually placed near the city, the ones in this painting are likely to be farther than it looks (since they're huge). The plants and greenery on the roofs are used for rooftop farming, since it reduces the energy cost of food production and transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. The lights are also solar powered. In the worry that global warming will get worse, I hope that one day we will all be able to save and return the Earth to how it was before with the help of new technology.” - Connie Zhao

​Architecture and drawing are closely related. Many of WCAAD graduates have majored in architecture at their dream colleges, and art training during their childhood is one of the most important factors for their success.

Steve You was accepted by Pratt Institute -- Architecture in 2018；
Matthew Leung was accepted by Woodbury University-- Architecture in 2019；
Ashley Xiang was accepted by Cornell University-- Architecture in 2020；
Magdalege Gunawan was accepted by Parsons-- Architecture in 2020；
Ray Yang was accepted by Syracuse University-- Architecture in 2022；
Gianna Ouyang was accepted by Pratt Institute -- Architecture in 2022.

​Rebecca Chu and Jonathan Chu, the sister and brother, have been taking art classes at the West California Academy of Art and Design for years.  Rebecca was accepted by Los Angeles County School for the Arts High School (LACHSA) in 2016 and In 2019 she earned acceptance to Otis College of Art and Design--Animation with a Presidential Scholarship of 23,000 per year and a total of $92,000.  Jonathan has been taking classes at the Academy with his sister since 5 years old.  He was accepted by LACHSA in 2019.

 “Like many parents, I planned for my daughter’s art education very early. My daughter began taking classes at West California Academy of Art and Design at the age of seven. I’m sincerely thankful for all the teachers that helped her improve her artistic abilities. The instructors not only teach children drawing skills, but also put emphasis on protecting and inspiring children’s imagination and creativity, making the most of their potential. The Academy has witnessed her growth and development throughout the year. Her development in the Academy has been crucial, in visualization and execution of form in her portfolio. After her acceptance by LACHSA, she continued at West California Academy of Art and Design. Now she got accepted by her dream college and her future goal is to work in an animation studio and bring life into art.  Her brother Jonathan relies on her as an example. He earned acceptance to LACHSA too, aiming for Game Design track. Just like his sister, he is on the way of realizing his dream.  I’m happy that my children have achieved a lot academically, but what makes me much happier is that they have become a girl and boy full of confidence.”  ----Rebecca and Jonathan’s mom