Dear friends,
We deeply appreciate your steadfast support of Partnership for Los Angeles Schools as we close out our 15th year of serving schools in Boyle Heights, South LA, and Watts. Your support has been instrumental in our mission to ensure every child in Los Angeles can succeed.
Reflecting on this milestone, we are reminded of our collective dedication to transforming education and empowering communities. In 15 years, Partnership has implemented innovative programs, new curricula, and advocated for equitable funding and staffing, all in pursuit of reaching our North Star goal of increasing the post-secondary graduation rate from 20% in 2014 to 60% by 2039. With your help, we are currently achieving a 26% college graduation rate within six years.
The achievements of the class of 2023 reflect Partnership’s dedication to guiding students toward college through programs like College Compass and investment in college success advisors. As a result, graduation rates reached an all-time high of 89%, with two-thirds of seniors graduating college-ready, and three-quarters of them enrolling in a 2- or 4-year college—a 25-point increase from our 2009 baseline and a 10-point rise from the previous year. Additionally, 41% opted for four-year programs, up by 7 points from 2022. Chronic absenteeism also decreased by 12 percentage points, and we eagerly anticipate further progress in 2024.
Our systems change wins highlight our commitment to educational equity. In 2009, we partnered with the American Civil Liberties Union and Public Counsel to file the Reed vs. State of California lawsuit, resulting in teacher protections and additional support staff for high-needs schools. In 2010, our investment in gifted testing for Black and Brown students led the district to implement testing for all students in second grade. Since 2012, we’ve partnered with Equity Alliance for LA’s Kids to advocate for the Student Equity Needs Index, securing a $700 million investment for high-need schools to hire additional staff like counselors, nurses, and librarians, among others.
Over the past 15 years, our accomplishments include developing 160 Teacher Leaders, raising and investing $175 million in traditional public schools in Los Angeles, mobilizing 300 community partners to provide socio-emotional support, health care, and academic programs, and empowering 10,000 parents and families through our Parent College program.
As our 15th year of managing schools draws to a close, Partnership is thankful for your contributions. Together, with our exceptional students, educators, community partners, generous donors, and staff, we will continue to strive for excellence and empower students to reach their fullest potential.
To learn more about our work, impact, and the incredible people who make it all possible, we encourage you to explore our commemorative video and magazine on our anniversary landing page.
In partnership,
Deycy Hernandez
Chief External Officer
Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
About the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
Launched in 2007, the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools’ mission is to transform schools to revolutionize school systems, empowering all students with a high-quality education. The Partnership is a non-profit, in-District partner to LA Unified, not a charter network. As an independent nonprofit organization, the Partnership serves 13,500 students across 20 LA Unified schools in Boyle Heights, South Los Angeles, and Watts. The Partnership works within the Los Angeles Unified School District context, which includes honoring all collective bargaining agreements for its teachers and school staff.