Current Families

Welcome, Torrance Meridian Families

Your home base for staying connected. Meet our faculty, find key dates, catch up on newsletters, and RSVP for Friday events.

Current Families

Welcome, Torrance Meridian Families

Your home base for staying connected. Meet our faculty, find key dates, catch up on newsletters, and RSVP for Friday events.

Current Families

Welcome, Torrance Meridian Families

Your home base for staying connected. Meet our faculty, find key dates, catch up on newsletters, and RSVP for Friday events.

Welcome

A Message from Our Executive Director

Gina Lynch

Executive Director, Torrance Meridian Academy

Dear Torrance Meridian families,

Welcome to Torrance Meridian Academy. Whether you joined us on the first day of school or are just getting to know us, I’m so glad you’re here.

Torrance Meridian was built for students who are curious, capable, and ready for learning that fits their lives. Our teachers lead live classes four days a week, our students build projects they’re proud to share, and our Fridays bring our community together across the South Bay. Behind all of it is the support of Torrance Unified and a shared commitment to helping every student grow into the Portrait of a Graduate.

This site is your home base for staying connected. Meet our faculty, find key dates on the school calendar, catch up on newsletters, and RSVP for Friday events. If you ever have a question or an idea, my inbox is always open.

With gratitude,

Gina Lynch

Executive Director, Torrance Meridian Academy

Our District

About Torrance Unified School District

Torrance Meridian Academy is proud to be a dependent charter school of Torrance Unified School District, serving students and families across the South Bay since 1947.

Torrance Unified serves the entire City of Torrance through 31 schools. Established in 1947 and unified in 1948, the district sits in the heart of the South Bay in southwestern Los Angeles County.

It is bordered by the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the south, the beach cities of Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan Beach to the west, and Lawndale and Hawthorne to the north. Five school board members, one from each trustee area, govern the district.

31

Schools across Torrance

17

Elementary schools

8

Middle schools

4

High schools

1

Continuation / alternative school

1

Adult school

Our Mission

The Torrance Unified School District strives to ensure that each and every student is educated and prepared to succeed in life. We are dedicated to maximizing individual potential and developing lifelong learners who will be contributing members in a global society.

What This Means for Torrance Meridian Families

As a Torrance Unified charter school, Torrance Meridian Academy operates with the district’s oversight, support services, and academic standards. Every student’s learning is guided by the district’s Portrait of a Graduate.

Portrait of a Graduate

Portrait of a Graduate

A collective vision of the competencies and personal qualities that position every Torrance Unified K–12 student for success in life and career.

What is a Portrait of a Graduate?

A collective vision that articulates the desired outcomes of all K–12 students in Torrance Unified, including competencies and personal qualities that position them for success in life and career.

Torrance Meridian Academy Torrance Meridian AcademyGrowth Mindset &Lifelong LearningTorrance Meridian AcademyCommunication &CollaborationTorrance Meridian AcademyLeadership &CharacterTorrance Meridian AcademyHealthy Habits &Life SkillsTorrance Meridian AcademyCivic Engagement &Global Citizenship PORTRAIT of a Graduate TORRANCE UNIFIED

01

Growth Mindset & Lifelong Learning

Demonstrates academic literacies and continuously pursues interdisciplinary knowledge, welcoming challenges as pathways to growth, and crafting solutions by leveraging innovative ideas, critical thinking skills, evidence-based insights, technology, and diverse perspectives.

02

Communication & Collaboration

Actively listens to understand others, seeks common ground, and effectively articulates ideas, positions, and stories in ways that build strong interpersonal relationships and collaborations for mutual benefit.

03

Leadership & Character

Positively influences others with a style of leadership that models integrity, responsibility, resilience, empathy, and respect for others.

04

Healthy Habits & Life Skills

Prioritizes self-care by developing healthy habits and life skills that ensure long-term physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial well-being.

05

Civic Engagement & Global Citizenship

Passionately champions civic engagement and global citizenship, proactively contributing to a more inclusive, equitable, and interconnected world through dedicated actions, advocacy, service, and environmental stewardship.

Why Did We Develop Our Portrait of a Graduate?

Defines student success

Guides curriculum development

Shapes educational experiences

Engages the entire community

Empowers students

Development Process

National and international models & research

Benchmarking with other peer districts

Focus groups with students, staff, parents & alumni

Torrance business CEO review and input

Workshop with TOSAs

Leadership team discussion and input

Our Team

Faculty & Staff

Meet the Torrance Meridian team. Our credentialed teachers lead live classes every day and get to know each student as a learner and a person. You can reach any of us by email, and we typically reply within one school day.

School Leadership & Administrative Staff

GL

Gina Lynch

Executive Director

Bio coming soon.

PL

Paul Lee

Program Analyst

Bio coming soon.

SL

Shannon Leon

School Staff Assistant I

Bio coming soon.

Faculty

KA

5TH GRADE

Kristen Anwandter

5th Grade Teacher

Bio coming soon.

KH

6TH GRADE

Kirstin Halfon

6th Grade Humanities

Bio coming soon.

TS

6TH GRADE

Tiffany Sidney

6th Grade Math/STEM; Gold Schedule Student Support

Bio coming soon.

DL

7TH GRADE

Debra Liggett

7th Grade Humanities

Bio coming soon.

CR

7TH GRADE

Cara Rush

7th Grade Math/STEM

Bio coming soon.

BH

8TH GRADE

Benjamin Hess

8th Grade Math/STEM

Bio coming soon.

NV

8TH GRADE

Nancy Valdez

8th Grade Humanities

Bio coming soon.

WK

STUDENT SERVICES

William Kealey

Special Education Teacher

Bio coming soon.

Key Dates

2026–27 School Calendar

Key dates for the 2026–27 school year, including breaks, cycle start and end dates, and Friday community days. This page always reflects the most current version.

School News

School News

Friday events, newsletters, and ways to get involved in the Torrance Meridian community.

Friday Community Opportunities

Fridays at Torrance Meridian bring our students together in person for enrichment, outings, and time with friends and teachers across the South Bay. These events are open to currently enrolled Torrance Meridian students only. Browse upcoming events below and RSVP so we can plan for your student!

In-person events are optional. Students who join from home complete their Friday learning activity in Sora Home.

School Newsletters

Catch up on the latest from Torrance Meridian. New issues are posted every other week.

OCTOBER 22, 2026

Newsletter title

One-line summary of what’s in this issue.

Read issue →

Looking to Donate or Partner?

Local businesses, organizations, and families help make experiences like Friday field trips, guest speakers, and project showcases possible. If you’d like to host an event, share your expertise with students, sponsor an activity, or make a donation, we’d love to hear from you.

A Torrance Unified charter school, co-designed with Sora Schools.

Opening September 2026 for grades 5–8; grades 9–12 open in 2027.


Torrance Unified (tusd.org)

ADA policy

Statement of Nondiscrimination. In compliance with Title IX, Torrance Unified School District prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity it operates, including, but not limited to, student programs and activities and employment.

Torrance Meridian Academy is a tuition-free Torrance Unified charter school, co-designed with Sora Schools. Opening September 2026 for grades 5–8.

A Torrance Unified charter school, co-designed with Sora Schools.

Opening September 2026 for grades 5–8; grades 9–12 open in 2027.


Torrance Unified (tusd.org)

ADA policy

Statement of Nondiscrimination. In compliance with Title IX, Torrance Unified School District prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity it operates, including, but not limited to, student programs and activities and employment.

Torrance Meridian Academy is a tuition-free Torrance Unified charter school, co-designed with Sora Schools. Opening September 2026 for grades 5–8.

A Torrance Unified charter school, co-designed with Sora Schools.

Opening September 2026 for grades 5–8; grades 9–12 open in 2027.


Torrance Unified (tusd.org)

ADA policy

Statement of Nondiscrimination. In compliance with Title IX, Torrance Unified School District prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity it operates, including, but not limited to, student programs and activities and employment.

Torrance Meridian Academy is a tuition-free Torrance Unified charter school, co-designed with Sora Schools. Opening September 2026 for grades 5–8.