Castlemont Community of Small Schools was divided into three small schools in 2004:
Castlemont Leadership Preparatory
Castlemont Business and Information Technology School
and East Oakland School of the Arts.
Combined these three small schools serve over 1,200 students.
This is what the students have to say:
1.We need a clean, empowering & healthy campus! That means:
- Enough custodians to have clean hallways, classrooms and bathrooms
- Inspiring and empowering images posted around school
- Variety of healthy food that nourishes our bodies and our minds
- Enough break time to get to class, eat and build with our peers
- After school programs that support our needs
- Staff to meet immediate medical needs (i.e. Nurse)
- Students having power in decisions that effect them.
2. We need a safe campus that keeps students safe and deals with conflicts before they become dangerous! That means:
- Active security guards that are where they are needed
- Security guards and school staff trained as mediators to intervene in conflict and fights
- No police, unless absolutely necessary
- Trained and supported student mediators 4
3. We need enough materials & supplies! That means:
- Up to date computers
- Up to date books
- Up to date information (colleges, job opportunities, programs etc.)
- Up to date library
- Desk that students can fit into
- Big enough classrooms
4. We need diverse classes that meet our needs, teach us our true histories and help us grow!
- Electives (Foreign languages, Arabic, Mandarin, Tagalong, Vietnamese, Sex education, Drivers education)
- Ethnic Studies classes
- Creative school projects
- Night classes & summer school available on our campus
5. We need school staff that develop healthy relationships with students, can teach us and are willing and capable of being involved in our communities!
- Enough teachers for us to have a quality education
- Teachers that are motivated, involved and use creative teaching methods
- Teachers of color & from our communities
- More counselor and general support for students
