Child in a classroom
Innovate Public Schools

Innovate Public Schools is a power building organization dedicated to helping parents and families learn how to organize, speak up, and demand high-quality schools for their children.

We believe the education system was not built to serve all children equitably, and systemic inequities continue to harm students of color, low-income students, and English learners. At Innovate, we center the voices and leadership of parents, students, and communities most impacted by injustice to drive lasting change. Our mission is to build a more just education system where every child has access to opportunity and every family has the power to influence their future.

Our Programs

Our Community Organizing Training Program (COTP) helps build a diverse, well-trained pipeline of leaders by offering organizers a space to share strategies, deepen their skills, and connect across regions to drive real policy change.

The Jose Arenas Parent Leadership Institute, formerly known as the Leadership Institute, is a comprehensive and dynamic program led by experienced organizers dedicated to empowering emerging and expert leaders alike.

Reports

Creating equitable schools requires more than just good intentions. Our reports play a crucial role in identifying areas of improvement and tracking progress toward excellence.

With actionable data and insights, educators and parents can pinpoint gaps in opportunity and resources, ultimately helping every child achieve their potential.

Our Impact

Every child deserves an excellent education, regardless of their zip code or background. At Innovate Public Schools, we believe that change starts at the grassroots level.

Since our founding, we’ve empowered hundreds of parent leaders and community advocates, trained thousands of organizers, and driven meaningful improvements in schools across America.

Our Impact

Every child deserves an excellent education, regardless of their zip code or background. At Innovate Public Schools, we believe that change starts at the grassroots level.

Since our founding, we’ve empowered hundreds of parent leaders and community advocates, trained thousands of organizers, and driven meaningful improvements in schools across America.

Latest News

South LA Parents and Community Members Rally for Improved Black Student Literacy

In the heart of South Los Angeles, on Manchester Avenue at True LA Church, parents and community members called for increased focus, targeted funding and community support to improve the Black Student Literacy rate in LA County Schools. The “Literacy is Life” campaign highlights the 73% of Los Angeles Unified School District and 72% of Compton Unified School District Black third grade students who are not on grade level in English Language Arts.

Parent-Led Advocacy & SFUSD’s Policy 5023 Enhancing Language Access for EL Parents with IEPs

On Thursday May 2nd, Innovate Public Schools, in partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), hosted a “Know Your Rights Forum: SFUSD Policy 5023.” Organizers and Parent Leaders created the event to raise awareness and garner support for the translation and interpretation policy aimed at improving accessibility for parents of English Learner students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).

Parent Leaders Visit CA State Capitol to Keep Education Funding Opportunities in Newsom’s Budget

This March, Innovate staff and parent leaders represented Innovate at CalSac’s 20th Annual Afterschool and Summer Challenge, an event geared to advocate around out-of-school time and expanded learning. Innovate was proud to be a first time sponsor where our Director of Statewide Advocacy, Joanna French served on the steering committee to coordinate the logistics.

Empowering Families: Leaders of Educational Change

In pursuit of achieving our mission to create a high-quality school experience that cherishes and affirms every student, particularly Black and Brown students, Innovate Public Schools proudly champions the Leadership Institute, formerly known as the Parent Leadership Institute, as a catalyst for change. Since our establishment, we’ve empowered over 1,000 Parent Leaders and Community Advocates from 22 states across the nation through the comprehensive leadership development programs we offer, including the Leadership Institute.