For the first time in our Innovate’s history, our Top Schools Report includes a review of schools across California, and the results are both inspiring and urgent. At a webinar this week, educators, school leaders, and parents came together to celebrate these bright spots and reflect on what it will take to ensure that every child has access to a school designed for their unique brilliance.
Key Data Takeaways:
- Out of 9,158 public schools in California, only 550 made the list of Top Schools closing opportunity gaps for Black and Latino students and setting them on a path to college success.
- That’s just 6% of schools statewide, proof that while progress is possible, there’s still much more to do.
- Across our state, only 45% of students were on grade level in ELA and 41% were on grade level in math in 2023-24. That means less than half of all elementary students were on grade level. Those numbers were worse for Black and Latino students who have been historically underserved for far too long.
- There are 409 Top Schools serving Latino students and just 164 serving Black students, highlighting deep racial disparities that must be addressed.
At Innovate, we believe data and research are tools of power. Educational data drives how resources are distributed and decisions are made, yet it’s often kept out of reach from the families and communities it affects most.
That’s why we created this report: to make data transparent and accessible, empowering families to advocate for the kind of schools every child deserves: schools that nurture potential, reflect community values, and deliver results.
As our Research and Policy team shares, state-level data may not capture every nuance of a student’s success. But because it’s the data policymakers use to make decisions, it’s essential that communities have it too.
A Parent’s Call to Action
Parent leader Roberto Guzman Rivera spoke powerfully about what the Top Schools report means for families like his.
“We live in one of the richest cities in one of the richest countries in the world. When you come here, you trust that public school will give your children the best education possible. But too many families are still being left behind.”
Roberto shared how he became an advocate after realizing his child wasn’t receiving the support he needed, and how data helped him and other parents demand change.
“I am grateful to see that there are organizations showing the reality because data doesn’t lie. Only through data can we face the hard truths and work together to encourage equity and move forward.”
What’s Next
While these 550 Top Schools prove that equity and excellence can coexist, the data also show that most schools aren’t yet implementing the systems and supports needed to close gaps for historically underserved students. Even among Top Schools, too many students are still below grade level in reading and math.
Our hope is that this report sparks dialogue, action, and accountability, inspiring educators, families, and policymakers to work together to make sure what’s possible in 550 schools becomes the norm across all 9,158.
“Together, we can make quality education a reality for all our children, not just some.”
— Roberto Guzman Rivera, Parent Leader
Want to to dig in to the Top Schools report?
- Read the full report in English and Spanish.
- Access the full Top Schools data.
- Watch the webinar.