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Bright Stars in Southern California

A student and teacher collaborate at Valor Academy Elementary School

Valor Academy Elementary School (VAES), established in 2016 in North Hills, California, provides high-quality education to nearly 400 students in the San Fernando Valley. VAES is a public charter school operating within the Los Angeles Unified School District. Admission is free to students as an alternative to their neighborhood public school. The school belongs to the Bright Star Schools network, known for solid academics and small class sizes.    

In 2024, Bright Star sought financing for the construction of a new facility for VAES, which had operated in cramped satellite facilities since its founding. The updated, unified campus will enable VAES to expand enrichment offerings to include additional programs like sports, gardening, dance, robotics and seasonal camps. Other benefits include a multipurpose room with meal service, enhanced outdoor play spaces and improved administrative areas. 

Self-Help provided $16.4 million in financing and leveraged $10 million in New Markets Tax Credits for the development of the new facility. The loan closed in 2024, and construction began in early 2025.

Artist’s rendering of the plans for the school’s new campus.

Throughout the planning process, VAES used a community-oriented approach by seeking neighborhood input and incorporating that feedback into the campus design. A historical home on the site that neighbors wanted preserved will be restored and integrated into the campus design. This decision models respect for community wishes and provides students with a piece of history on their campus.  

The new facility will accommodate a 49% increase in enrollment (from 370 to 552 students) and will be closer to its affiliated middle and high schools. Beyond creating continuity for parents, having schools in the same area allows for cross-grade programs like peer tutoring and mentorship.   

We’re proud to partner with charter schools across the country to facilitate stability and growth as these innovative schools continue to serve children in underinvested areas with quality education.

Our charter school borrowers bring educational excellence and a commitment to equity. We bring the financing prowess and technical expertise to bring their expansion projects to life. For VAES, we leveraged programs like New Markets Tax Credits and a federal Charter School Credit Enhancement Grant to preserve borrower cash and make these investments economically viable.