Many of us have a distinct vision of the high school experience – go to school, graduate, and then enter college, post-secondary training or the workforce.
But, what if there was a way to reimagine high school for California’s thousands of young people? Perhaps by earning college credit by taking college classes as a high school student or getting paid for workforce training between 9th and 12th grade?
These examples of different high school experiences take place throughout California, but not in every community and not for every student.
Building a Vision
These experiences are a part of the vision of the Stuart Foundation and the California Community Foundation’s recently launched California Thriving Youth Initiative. San Diego Foundation (SDF) joined the partnership earlier this year, which consists of a coalition of 11 philanthropic partners working to empower adolescents across the state.
“This collaborative effort with our philanthropic partners will reimagine how young people learn in California and how we measure their knowledge,” says SDF President and CEO Mark Stuart.
“It will better prepare them for success in work and life, while supporting educational equity in San Diego County and throughout the state.”
A Broad Coalition
The California Thriving Youth Initiative aims to provide the state’s adolescents, especially those furthest from opportunity, with the conditions, opportunities and support they need to thrive.
In addition to strategic grantmaking to nonprofits and school systems, the initiative will also convene partners to support collective learning and invest in narrative and storytelling to advance a positive, inclusive vision for public education.
In doing so, the initiative seeks to deepen and quilt together the individual work of its inaugural funder and grantee partners, which include SDF and:
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
- California Community Foundation
- College Futures Foundation
- Crankstart Foundation
- William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
- Longview Foundation
- James B. McClatchy Foundation
- Schott Foundation for Public Education
- Spencer Foundation
- Stuart Foundation
A Transformative Initiative
Launched with a $30-million seed commitment from the Stuart Foundation, this transformative initiative includes two funds managed by the California Community Foundation: the Purpose of Education Fund and the Youth Thriving Through Learning Fund.
While the Purpose of Education Fund focuses will prepare adolescents to participate actively in our diverse, multiracial democracy, the Youth Thriving Through Learning Fund, will reimagine adolescent learning experiences, creating expanded opportunities for California’s diverse youth. SDF hopes to leverage its participation in the Youth Thriving Through Learning Fund to build greater educational equity in San Diego County.
“There is a healthy body of research on what adolescents need to thrive,” says Dr. Peter Ross, Managing Director of the Youth Thriving Through Learning Fund.
“And there’s a complementary body of research on what that means in terms of how their schools should be organized and designed. This fund seeks to shed light on that research, to highlight the bright spots that already exist, and then to work with system leaders and policy makers so that these types of schools can exist throughout California.”
The Youth Thriving Through Learning Fund will leverage state investments in community schools, dual enrollment, and career pathways to ensure equitable access to higher education and workforce readiness through innovative high school redesign, improved college admission practices, and “earn-and-learn” programs.
“We are committed to rethinking what high school can look like to enable every student to reach their goals in postsecondary education and in life,” Ross says.
“By focusing on engaged learning, critical thinking, and purposeful transitions into postsecondary education, work, and civic lives, we can ensure that all California students are prepared to pursue their goals and contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
Join Our Journey to Empower Youth
The California Thriving Youth Initiative is aligned with SDF’s Fifty & Forward Campaign, which focus on three key areas: Education, Children and Families, and the Environment.
Together, we can create a future where San Diego’s young people, regardless of background, have access to opportunity so they can thrive, prosper and feel like they belong.
Learn more about SDF Education Initiatives.
