America’s Children Are Unwell. We Need to Ask What Schools Have to Do With It.
The New York Times published a sobering article this week about the growing disconnection between kids and school, and it lands squarely at the heart of why we are building Sacramento Community School. The piece names what so many families already feel: our children aren’t broken. The systems surrounding them are. When nearly one in four teenage boys is diagnosed with ADHD, when a third of adolescents carry an anxiety diagnosis, and when school is the place where distress most often emerges, it becomes impossible to avoid the real question: What if the problem isn’t the kids? What if it’s the environment they’re being asked to endure?
Beyond Academics: How Progressive Schools Shape Engaged Citizens
We’re so inspired by the news of Zohran Mamdani’s election and the part his progressive education at Bank Street played in shaping his leadership. His journey shows how progressive education prepares young people to navigate nuanced issues, listen to multiple perspectives, and stay rooted in community.
Teaching with Compassion in Challenging Times
The work of teaching has always called on a balance of skills, instructional expertise, leadership, flexibility, and perhaps most importantly, compassion. In a world carrying the weight of so many losses, students and educators alike are navigating uncertainty, anxiety, and disconnection. Against this backdrop, the question becomes urgent: how do we create classrooms that feel like places of welcome, safety, and care?
Compassion is more than simply feeling empathy for another person’s suffering. It carries with it the motivation to help. When compassion leads to action, we often recognize it as acts of kindness and the everyday ways we choose to care for and support others. Research tells us that compassion and kindness are not only good for the people around us, they’re also good for us: boosting happiness, resilience, health, and even academic success.
Yet, in a world where competition and cruelties often take center stage, our innate kindness can easily get overlooked. Schools are uniquely positioned to bring it back into focus.
Is Progressive Education Right for My Child?
Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child, and for your family. In places like the Bay Area, families have a wealth of choices when it comes to progressive, student-centered education. But here in Sacramento, those options are still limited. We’ve spoken with many parents who are searching for something more: a learning environment that nurtures curiosity, celebrates diverse learners, and offers meaningful, hands-on academic experiences. If you’re one of those families, and if you’re exploring alternatives to traditional education, you might be wondering: Is Progressive Education the right fit for my child?
“A Future That Bright”
Andrea Gibson puts words to what we hope will be the blueprint of our school.
The Heart Behind the School
Sometimes life gives you a moment so clear and undeniable that you just know you're in the right place, doing the right thing.