Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
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My students face daily violence and disempowerment while trying to attend high school in one of the most historically disadvantaged communities in California. Though the community has deep cultural roots, we have yet to see the day when all of the diverse groups on campus pull together to try and create a truly safe educational environment. Still, many of our students hold on to hope, either driven by the realization that there is nowhere else to go but up or because we have a supportive set of teachers and administration who bend over backwards for our kids. Our campus would have been fodder for Shakespeare's next great tragedy, but the smiles that can still be had on different faces on campus means that possibly, we would have made a great comedy as well. Despite the ugly facade of gang violence, shootings, graffiti and disrespect, beneath all of that there are students who truly want an education and a chance.
About my class
My students face daily violence and disempowerment while trying to attend high school in one of the most historically disadvantaged communities in California. Though the community has deep cultural roots, we have yet to see the day when all of the diverse groups on campus pull together to try and create a truly safe educational environment. Still, many of our students hold on to hope, either driven by the realization that there is nowhere else to go but up or because we have a supportive set of teachers and administration who bend over backwards for our kids. Our campus would have been fodder for Shakespeare's next great tragedy, but the smiles that can still be had on different faces on campus means that possibly, we would have made a great comedy as well. Despite the ugly facade of gang violence, shootings, graffiti and disrespect, beneath all of that there are students who truly want an education and a chance.