Innovate Public Schools is a power building organization dedicated to building the capacity of parents and families to organize, advocate, and demand high quality schools for their children.
We believe that the education system was not designed to serve all children, and that the biggest barrier to all children having access to an excellent school is a lack of political will to improve the system. We believe the voices and experiences of parents, families, and students should be elevated and centered in decisions about education.
Carmen Rodriguez with Sen. Portantino
Parent leader, Carmen Rodriguez visits Senator Anthony Portantino at CA State Capitol
Innovate builds power for a more equitable education system...
in key areas throughout California, at the State level and nationwide. Our flagship programming provides foundational understanding of community organizing and trains community organizations, school leaders and parents to take action for a more equitable education system. With a people-based research and policy approach, we equip parents, families and advocacy organizations with the data driven tools they need to advocate for better educational outcomes in local school districts.
Parent Leaders throughout California Organize for High Quality Education for Black & Brown Students. Read more in our latest Blog Entries.
LPS Hayward Keys to Success: Address the cultural barriers that prevent students from entering college by bringing their parents along in the process (Post 5 of 6)
Many students at LPS will go on to be the first in their families to graduate college. At the beginning of senior year, Aguilar and her team meet with every single senior student and their families.
LPS Hayward Keys to Success: Keep track of each individual student as they overcome administrative barriers to college acceptance (Post 4 of 6)
What sets LPS Hayward apart? The culture at LPS Hayward centers on the idea that every student -- regardless of race or income -- is college material. Dr. Claudia Aguilar leads the college counseling program. Her team creates a college-going culture by...
LPS Hayward Keys to Success: School leaders must make college counseling a priority and back it up with resources (Post 3 of 6)
As a charter school, LPS has had the flexibility to work with Aguilar to make changes and allocate resources in a way that builds a world-class college counseling program. And that investment is paying off in their results.
LPS Hayward Keys to Success: Engage student in college preparation early and differentiate each year as graduation gets closer (Post 2 of 6)
Aguilar often hears a common complaint from freshmen: “You talk about college too much! Can’t we talk about something else?” But by senior year, she notices the feedback changes.
Beyond lip-service: How one high school is systematically sending low-income Latinos to college. (Post 1 of 6)
When you walk into LPS Hayward, a charter high school in Hayward, its unwavering focus on college readiness is immediately apparent. Flags and pennants from colleges and universities decorate every classroom door.









