Ditch School
Meet the Team
We have the best mentors around. Check them out below.

Founder and Head Mentor
Jessica Jacobs
Jessica holds a BA and MA in Mathematics and Education, as well as multiple credentials and state certifications. She has taught in the public and private educational systems at all grade levels, including college. She unschooled her own sons. One graduated from UC Berkeley at age 16 spending most of his time exploring passions of art, film, and music. Her other son graduated from UCSD at 17 and is currently pursuing his Masters at Cal Berkeley. She has also mentored hundreds of students through early college while supporting individual projects that lead to successful careers.

Mentor
Sonny Ryder
A former Ditch Student, Sonny studied Psychology at University of CA at San Diego where he earned his Bachelor's Degree. Sonny is proficient at navigating "systems," communicating with professors, and engaging learners. Sonny is also an excellent writer and editor supporting students in their writing assignments and college application essays. Most importantly though, Sonny is well loved by the Ditch community and always kind, supportive, and fun. As an international student interested in social justice, human emotion, and world events, Sonny's input and role on this team is invaluable.

Mentor
Sage Ryan
​Sage Ryan experienced a range of schooling options and found that no traditional or alternative model fit for all children. He began his own independent education and ended up graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in Performance Studies and Art. Since then, he has been a teacher at progressive schools such as Brightworks in SF, Muse in Calabasas, Manzanita in Topanga, PETALS, and Ditch School.

Mentor
Angelina Avraham
Angie began her academic journey at UCLA at 14 and graduated at 16, gaining early experience navigating college academics and expectations. During her time at UCLA, she developed a strong interest in the justice system and wrongful convictions. Angelina is comfortable navigating academics, communicating clearly, and helping students understand their assignments and next steps going forward. She supports students with writing, applications, and general academic planning in a straightforward way. Her close-in-age perspective helps her connect with students on a more relatable level. Most importantly, she is dedicated to helping every student reach their full potential and believes that the right support can make all the difference for students.