West California Academy of Art and Design — Attraction in San Gabriel

Last year, when my daughter moved to West California Academy of Art and Design (WCAAD), both Principal Wang and Ms. Noriko helped with lots of questions promptly and diligently so that she could enjoy a smooth transition. It has been a year since my daughter started in WCAAD. She has not only been encouraged to create from her imaginations whenever possible, but to access valuable resources for art projects in and out of class. In addition, she has been opened up to wonderful learning opportunities and inspired to appreciate art in everyday life.

One of my daughter’s favorite classes is drawing a folding surprise. This interesting style taught her the technique to paint an object that can be simple or elaborative with the paper folded or expanded. My daughter loved this art so much that she designed a folding surprise facial mask with a beautiful scenery using self imagination. When expanding the multiple folds, a lovely pavilion stands vividly on the mask. Her stylish facial mask will serve as a souvenir witnessing her early creativity and inspire us to support her passion in art.

About a half year ago, there was a library bookmark contest that my daughter was interested in. She started late and somehow managed to transform one of her class projects into a fun bookmark within a short time. Her bookmark design has been recognized as the winner in her category and will be available in all county libraries. Since an extensive range of themes is drawn in class, certain classroom projects can be easily utilized for events such as invitational exhibitions, art festivals, local, national, and international painting contests, etc., if the students would like to participate.

Recently, under the influence of her art teacher who retired from her elementary school, my daughter wanted to take a sketchbook on our family trip. Without any experience, we approached Ms. Noriko for help. Ms. Noriko gave my daughter some amazing ideas. One of them was creating silhouette art of the place we were visiting. My daughter was just exposed to silhouette art drawing in class so she was excited to apply that technique to her sketchbook. Over time, this sketchbook should develop into a full journal of interesting drawings and new art styles as a part of her creative process.

Most recently, we visited WACCD to pick up my daughter’s trophy from an art exhibition. To my great surprise, Principal Wang also prepared my daughter’s honor certificate besides the trophy. It looked so nice and formal with high quality printing and multiple organizers’ seals. Without our request, Principal Wang took the lead in printing out all certificates professionally for students. This is just one of many personal encounters that demonstrates how WACCD values integrity. The school helps its students excel at competitive drawing events if they are interested and makes sure they also receive each recognition they deserve. Awards and prizes are certainly not the goal. At WACCD, students accumulate rich experience, gain confidence, and most importantly, they are becoming...

I come from a family that deeply values sincerity in education, and from the moment my daughter Alice joined West California Academy of Art at age 7, we found something truly special in Ms. Noriko’s class. Now, four years later, as Alice graduates from her class, we reflect with immense gratitude and admiration for everything she’s learned—not just about art, but about patience, dedication, and creative confidence.

Ms. Noriko pours her whole heart into her teaching. She prepares each class with such care and intention. During competition seasons, she never misses a beat—keeping track of deadlines, reminding me to submit Alice’s work, and following up to make sure everything is in on time. That level of commitment is rare. For every competition piece, she collaborates with Alice—guiding her gently, but always encouraging her to express her own ideas. In a world where some art teachers simply direct students or draw for them, Ms. Noriko respects the child’s voice and fosters true artistic growth. She’s taught Alice essential skills: how to shade properly, how to combine colors with harmony, and how to compose a piece with clarity and vision. With Ms. Noriko's guidance, my daughter has won numerous competitions in the past 4 years, so many that I cannot even count.

I would like to remind parents: have patience for your children. Studying art will bring out so many wonderful characters in your children, but first and foremost, have patience, and trust the process.

And behind the scenes of this incredible school is Miss Wang, the owner—a woman whose strength and warmth shape everything that happens here. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to learn about her life: her challenging early years in China, her immigration story, and the sacrifices she made to build this school from the ground up. Miss Wang treats her teachers like family, and it shows. She is always present—at the school, at student exhibitions, and at award ceremonies, cheering on every child as if they were her own. She is a role model not only to the students but to all of us. Her perseverance, strength, and kindness remind the children where their current opportunities come from—and inspire them to dream big while staying grounded.

West California Academy of Art has been so much more than an art school for us. It has been a place of growth, heart, and community. We are forever grateful for Ms. Noriko, Miss Wang, and everyone who has shaped Alice’s journey.

With heartfelt...

My daughter Ada went to West California Academy of Art and Design one year ago when she was 4. She likes Ms Ngoc very much because she can draw anything she want with Ngoc's help. She won a bronze prize on an International Youth Art and Technology competition during learning to draw here. She got inspired by this first time award. Now she got promoted to a higher level class with Ms Annie as the teacher. She is trained more on the drawing skills, particularly on picture details. I am very happy about sending her here. The school founder Wang Lei is a dedicated educator with full of passion to foster her students enjoy arts. I can feel the enthusiasm and the care about students every time I talked to her. I am sure, in future, my girl will be benefited from strong imagination and design capacity that she...