Gateway Community Charters

Editorial Introduction

Communities across California and the nation are experiencing intensified fear and instability—due to increased ICE raids and the broader siege of stress and uncertainty surrounding students, families, and immigrant communities. In this climate, we are reminded of the essential role community schools play as safe, stabilizing places. As families are navigating profound challenges, community schools remain a source of protection, belonging, and hope. For many, schools are sanctuaries–part of the larger movement for immigrant rights.  It is in this spirit that we highlight the transformational work taking place within Gateway Community Charters (GCC)—a network whose commitment to community-rooted education for immigrant families offers both inspiration and direction during a pivotal moment for our field. Ten percent of California Community School Partnership Program are charter schools, and we have an opportunity in this issue to understand how these policies and structures can respond to the unique needs and assets of local communities. Click below to read more about GCC and explore each of the Issue’s four features.

Co-created and launched in 2003 by community leaders and families, GCC provides  transformative educational experiences for students and families across the Greater Sacramento area. Over the past 20 years, GCC has grown to serve over 6,000 students across eight schools from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. GCC embraces, celebrates, and is rooted in a diverse community whose stories are characterized by resilience; many GCC students are English Learners, newcomer and refugee youth, and historically underserved students. As such, GCC’s story begins where all community schools begin: with the stories of the children and families who arrive at school. 

In the words of Community Outreach Academy of the Arts Principal Gonchar and Vice Principal Pryshlyak, who authored the School Case:  “Our school is a home for children and families who carry stories of resilience, migration, and new beginnings. Many families have arrived seeking safety, stability, and opportunity, bringing both the weight of loss and the light of hope. These stories remind us that education is more than academics — it is healing, belonging, and empowerment.” The school case illustrates how GCC embraces this truth. It shows how a school community, grounded in care and cultural humility, can create spaces where students feel seen, held, and honored as full human beings. The school is the place where dreams materialize.

The Teacher Scholarship feature brings us into one educator’s journey to elevate student voice as both a practice and a principle. “Voices that Soar”, a project that emerged from a single classroom and blossomed into a schoolwide student council, demonstrates the power of community-based learning. Teacher Michaela Thomas has built spaces that strengthen student leadership and voice to solve conflicts among students and persistent challenges created by antiquated disciplinary policies. Her commitment to students is a reminder that transformation often begins with one teacher, one idea, and one courageous act of trust. As an exciting addition to the piece, you will enjoy reading about the Sacramento area Regional Technical Assistance Center (R-TAC) that supports Gateway Community Charters and the impact of Michaela’s work in their own efforts to support community school teachers in their region.

From there, we uplift a Youth Research feature that captures the spirit of innovation fueling GCC’s work, this time at the Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy (SAVA), one of GCC’s high schools. The SAVA EV Lowrider Project is far more than an automotive project—it is a living expression of what becomes possible when young people are empowered to learn in ways that reflect their identities, cultures, interests, and dreams for the future. It stands as a vibrant model of what community schools can offer and a blueprint for driving change through education, creativity, and purpose. The  SAVA EV Lowrider Project culminated in national recognition at the 2025 Smithsonian Folklife Festival where students were proud to represent their school, city, and state. Be sure to view the video included in the article.

Finally, our Policy ABCs section turns to the broader story behind Gateway’s impact with Superintendent Jason Sample recounting the journey of this network of schools to co-create contextually-responsive educational spaces. In Dr. Sample’s words: “Gateway has led with the conviction that schools and communities belong together. Our mission is far from complete: as we move forward, we invite teachers, families, partners, and civic leaders to join us in co‑creating schools that uplift every student.”

In this 8th issue of our digital journal, we honor community school stories and the people who help them take flight. We invite you to read, reflect, and imagine alongside the transformational educators in these pages who remind us why the work matters. We hope this issue calls us all to listen more deeply, to imagine more boldly, and to build community schools where every child can thrive. 

We are thankful to the team of students, teachers, administrators, and staff from Gateway Community Charters who thoughtfully contributed their experiences in community schooling for this issue. In particular, we are grateful to Dr. Polina Morozova-Diab, GCC’s Community Engagement Coordinator. Dr. Morozova-Diab served as the Issue Coordinator and played a critical role in facilitating the storytelling within this issue. 

Leyda W. Garcia & Lauren Kinnard

Issue Editors