Many of our families grapple with multiple challenges that have a direct impact on students’ ability to be in class on time and ready to learn. Immigration status puts some parents at risk of arrest and deportation. Economic insecurity translates into missed meals, frequent moves, and periods of homelessness.

Gun violence, which is all-too-familiar in some of Oakland’s neighborhoods, contributes to trauma and a deep sense of loss and insecurity. Each of these community schools has invested heavily in providing students — and at times their families — with an array of social-emotional supports: mental health professionals on staff and available through partner organizations, support groups for students dealing with similar life challenges, training in trauma-informed practices for teachers and staff, and one-on-one support for students through mentorships and other adult-student relationships.

Case studies in which we see these themes highlighted include Roosevelt Middle School, Ralph Bunche High School, and Oakland Technical High School.

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