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.

At Sacramento Community School, we’re building that same kind of foundation for children here in Sacramento. We believe that when students learn to question, to listen, and to care for their communities, they grow into adults who are ready to meet the challenges of the world with skill, heart, and conviction.

Zohran’s story reminds us that progressive education is not a luxury, it is a public good that strengthens democracy. When students learn through collaboration rather than competition, they practice listening, compromise, and shared problem-solving. When they are encouraged to question authority and think critically, they learn how to hold systems accountable. When classrooms honor diverse perspectives, students learn to coexist across differences and build inclusive communities.

In this way, progressive schools do not just prepare students for tests or careers. They prepare them for citizenship, and for the daily work of empathy, participation, and collective responsibility. A democracy thrives when its people know how to think independently, care for the common good, and believe that their voices matter.