Academia Cesar Chavez was founded in 2000 in response to requests from parents, community members, and community organizations for a school that was responsive to the needs of children who had been historically underserved in local public schools.  Academia Cesar Chavez strives to develop an educational center that strengthens community by offering PreK through 8th grade education, partnering with families and community organizations in combining academic excellence and a holistic approach to community well-being.

Academia Cesar Chavez is a community-based, dual-language charter school that places a strong focus on reading and literacy, and establishes high expectations for all students’ academic and social growth.  It is tailored to the individual needs of children, readily accessible to families, culturally relevant, and equipped with the curricular and instructional tools necessary to ensure that students achieve high standards.  Our school appeals to families of all backgrounds who desire a bilingual and multicultural learning environment for their children. 

Academia Cesar Chavez believes that all children can learn and grow in an environment that is safe and where all their needs are met.  A caring, cooperative, and inclusive school climate is actively fostered to promote the socio-emotional and cognitive development of the whole child, in which parents and families are active partners in the education of their children.  At Academia Cesar Chavez, students affirm the values of their own cultures while acquiring an understanding, appreciation, and acceptance of other cultures and communities. 

Academia Cesar Chavez believes that a person not only has a right to their home language, but that their language is also a powerful asset to build upon, instead of a deficit to overcome.  Language is a strong component of one’s individual identity and their connection to their community.  We prepare our educators to become culturally competent and aware in their practices in order to promote equity in education.

We Believe . . .
− All students have the right to become biliterate
− Biliteracy encompasses reading, writing, listening, and speaking
− Learning to read and write begins at birth in the home and needs to be supported in Spanish and English languages
− Biliteracy is a necessary skill to succeed in life
− Students must read often and, in all subjects, books of their interest and at their level
− Data driven dialogue leads to differentiated professional development

Improve all pupil learning and all student achievement
Academia Cesar Chavez serves a population that has traditionally been underserved and has been impacted not by the “achievement gap” or “opportunity gap” per se, but rather by what is more aptly described as the educational debt: a cumulative impact of historical policy decisions and resource allocations that have adversely impacted various communities. ACC consistently works towards improving all student learning by addressing the realities of this debt.

Increase learning opportunities for all pupils
Academia Cesar Chavez is a culturally-affirming school, which means we are committed to valuing and sustaining community languages and practices, as well as validating our students’ lived experiences and identities by integrating cultural assets into classroom instruction.  This not only fosters a drive for students to stay engaged in learning, but also creates powerful opportunities for them to learn more about their own cultures and build connections to other cultures as well.

Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods
Academia Cesar Chavez is home to a holistic language acquisition framework that is at the heart of a cutting-edge, research-based Dual Language Bilingual Education program, a model with a growing body of academic study showcasing its success.  Our teachers learn to develop thematic multidisciplinary units of instruction, lesson plans, and assessments that place Spanish and English side by side.  Educators also learn to teach to students’ potential and to support emerging bilinguals’ trajectories towards biliteracy.

Measure learning outcomes and create different and innovative forms of measuring outcomes
Academia Cesar Chavez utilizes translanguaging strategies to more effectively and accurately assess student progress in content areas.  When students are introduced to a word they have not heard before, they are encouraged to “go through the files in their brain” and ask themselves “Do I know this word in another language?”  Teachers teach the root origin of words to support this process (Ex. Emotion and emoción).  By giving students the opportunity to showcase their learning in whichever language—or combination of languages—they are most comfortable conveying themselves in at that time, we are able to articulate a richer and deeper understanding of said students’ progress towards mastery.

Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site
Cultural-affirming education includes affirming the teachers’ cultural identity as well.  Educators who have perhaps been marginalized in prior professional settings report feeling empowered—they can truly make their voices heard and take ownership of the program.  We work with all staff, both non-instructional members who are passionate about education and instructional faculty looking to grow as educators, in providing guidance and connecting with resources for developing as professionals in education: ACC’s very own Grow Your Own model.