A Program of High Tech High GSE

Our Focus Areas

Education should promote success for all students – and it can!

Continuous improvement gives us the method and momentum to create better systems and better outcomes for young people. Join us in working to overcome these critical challenges.

A collage shows: two boys drawing together, two girls smiling and holding up art in priority areas, and a student in a graduation cap and gown holding a diploma outdoors.
Four children are gathered around a table in a classroom, discussing priority areas and activities. Two boys in the center are talking and holding papers, while two girls sit nearby. A chalkboard with colorful notes is in the background.

Chronic Absenteeism

Every young person deserves to thrive in school, every day. As improvers, we can create supports and connections that reflect student and family needs – and make school a place where our learners are engaged and inspired to succeed.

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Two students stand at a whiteboard covered in notes and graphs, highlighting priority areas. One writes with a marker while the other, wearing a purple face mask, observes closely. Other students are visible in the background.

Math

Math should unlock exciting new worlds for young people. When we transform our teaching structures to foster curiosity and confidence, we can promote positive math identities – and powerful growth – for all students.

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A graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a diploma while walking outdoors at a graduation ceremony, celebrating achievement in Priority Areas. The audience sits on either side, with trees and buildings under a clear sky in the background.

On-Track to Graduate

Graduation is much more than a day – it’s a step toward success beyond school. By redesigning our systems to target signs of struggle and sustain engagement, we can promote consistent progress for our students.

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A woman holding papers smiles and talks to a person whose face is not visible. They appear to be discussing priority areas in an indoor setting filled with natural light.

College Access

College access shouldn’t feel like a mystery. As we shine light on each part of the process – from exploration to applications to financial aid – we ensure all students and families see college as a real, reachable option.

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I think one of the first things we can do, particularly in education, to bring the dreaming back in is to listen to the children.
Brandi Hinnant-Crawford
Clemson University

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Brandi-Hinnant-Crawdford_WEB
I think one of the first things we can do, particularly in education, to bring the dreaming back in is to listen to the children.”
Brandi Hinnant-Crawford
Clemson University

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Brandi-Hinnant-Crawdford_WEB
Improvement for transformation is about shifting from egosystems to ecosystems.
David Montes de Oca
Chief of Improvement & District Partnerships, CORE Districts of California

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A smiling bald man, identified as Derek Mitchell, with a trimmed mustache and goatee wears glasses on his head, a buttoned olive green shirt, and small earrings. The background is transparent.
Improvement for transformation is about shifting from egosystems to ecosystems.”
David Montes de Oca
Chief of Improvement & District Partnerships, CORE Districts of California

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A smiling bald man, identified as Derek Mitchell, with a trimmed mustache and goatee wears glasses on his head, a buttoned olive green shirt, and small earrings. The background is transparent.

Over and over, folks in our networks, particularly classroom teachers, have come to us and said, Thank you. You don’t think we’re broken. You think we are the solution.

Sofi Frankowski
Co-founder of Schools that Lead

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A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing glasses, large hoop earrings, and a dark patterned top, smiles broadly against a blurred blue background at Derek Mitchell’s event.

Over and over, folks in our networks, particularly classroom teachers, have come to us and said, Thank you. You don’t think we’re broken. You think we are the solution.

“
Sofi Frankowski
Co-founder of Schools that Lead

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A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing glasses, large hoop earrings, and a dark patterned top, smiles broadly against a blurred blue background at Derek Mitchell’s event.
You have to begin with the absence of fear. Fear and improvement are not compatible. Fear and learning are not compatible. When a kid is scared, they’re too busy being scared to learn. The same is true in organizations.
Don Berwick
President Emeritus & Senior Fellow at Institute for Healthcare Improvement

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An older man with white hair and glasses, wearing a dark suit, light blue shirt, and patterned tie, poses in front of a light, blurred background.
You have to begin with the absence of fear. Fear and improvement are not compatible. Fear and learning are not compatible. When a kid is scared, they’re too busy being scared to learn. The same is true in organizations.”
Don Berwick
President Emeritus & Senior Fellow at Institute for Healthcare Improvement

.

An older man with white hair and glasses, wearing a dark suit, light blue shirt, and patterned tie, poses in front of a light, blurred background.
How do we make sure that students are set up in ninth grade to be post-secondary ready? These conversations are happening in grade nine in our improvement teams. This is not something additional that we’re doing. This is part of who we are. This is the way we work to support all our students.
Nichelle Woodson
Chief of Network Success at RISE

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Nichelle-Woodson_WEB
How do we make sure that students are set up in ninth grade to be post-secondary ready? These conversations are happening in grade nine in our improvement teams. This is not something additional that we’re doing. This is part of who we are. This is the way we work to support all our students.”
Nichelle Woodson
Chief of Network Success at RISE

.

Nichelle-Woodson_WEB

Looking at focus students, being able to identify trends and be able to apply very clear, specific change ideas is what I believe our school and teacher community needed to continue to grow.

Vanessa Ruiz
Lemon Grove Academy Middle

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Vanessa-Ruiz_WEB

Looking at focus students, being able to identify trends and be able to apply very clear, specific change ideas is what I believe our school and teacher community needed to continue to grow.

“
Vanessa Ruiz
Lemon Grove Academy Middle

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Vanessa-Ruiz_WEB

When we find solutions to chronic absenteeism, we’re not only solving attendance, we’re also addressing some of the causes deeply rooted in the community itself. For example challenges with transportation, housing and most importantly health.

Kevin Gee
University California Davis

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Kevin-Gee_WEB

When we find solutions to chronic absenteeism, we’re not only solving attendance, we’re also addressing some of the causes deeply rooted in the community itself. For example challenges with transportation, housing and most importantly health.

“
Kevin Gee
University California Davis

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Kevin-Gee_WEB

We have been in the CARPE network for six years and it has helped us design a systemic way to reach all of our students, analyze data and create a college going culture.

Joann Loyarte
Downey High School

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A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a patterned jacket and a light-colored top, posing against a neutral background for Derek Mitchell’s latest portrait series.

We have been in the CARPE network for six years and it has helped us design a systemic way to reach all of our students, analyze data and create a college going culture.

“
Joann Loyarte
Downey High School

.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a patterned jacket and a light-colored top, posing against a neutral background for Derek Mitchell’s latest portrait series.
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