Lighthouse Community Public Schools

I have been involved with the Lighthouse Community Charter School in Oakland, California since its planning days in 2000 to its inception in 2002 as a founding teacher. Lighthouse is a K-12 public charter school serving 700 low-income students for whom 90% will be the first in their families to go to college. The mission of Lighthouse is to prepare students for college and a career of their choice by providing a community that provides them with high expectations; rigorous teaching and learning experiences; family involvement; opportunities to develop their whole selves--academic, social, emotional, and physical, and creating an environment that supports the professional growth of the teachers guiding them to a bright future.

I teach 5th/6th grade math and science at Lighthouse and have seen 4 graduating classes---70% of the graduates are still in college, while 95% of them have been accepted to 4 year colleges. This year we will have some of our first college graduates! Because the statistics of our low-income urban youth are so dire---supporting successful schools and non-profits like Lighthouse are so important. What we are doing at the school is working. We are having results and transforming students lives.

If you are discouraged about public education---visit Lighthouse, elevate and support our success which will in turn support our collective communities and futures.