Education Archives - Oakland Voices

five people sit in front of an indoor mural that says "knowledge is power"

Empowered Community Journalists Ready to Share Oakland’s Untold Stories

April 16, 2024 Brandy Collins

Meet the newest community correspondents making a difference in Oakland’s storytelling landscape.

three books that are about African American studies

AP African American Studies to arrive at Bay Area schools in the fall

March 11, 2024 Haley Chelemedos

In 2024-2025, a half dozen Bay Area high schools will offer Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies, a new course promising a deep dive into the history and contributions of African Americans. Bishop O’Dowd, a private school in Oakland, was one of the first schools to pilot the class.

An African American girl sits inside a bus looking outside the window

From the flats to the hills and back: one Oakland teen’s daily commute

March 5, 2024 Seven Shavers

15-year-old “Seven” Shavers explains why she feels safe—and sometimes doesn’t—in her neighborhood and when taking the bus to school.

A white man wearing blue collared shirt smiles for camera

Checking in With Sam Davis: OUSD’s New School Board President

January 29, 2024 Debora Gordon

Oakland Voices interview new Oakland school board president Sam Davis, a former teacher, about the challenges facing the district, and some of the positive things to look forward to this year.

close up of colorful converse shoes against graffiti backdrop

Rethinking Youth Violence: Separating Fact from Fiction in Amid Growing Concerns

August 29, 2023 Prism Reports

A so-called “surge in violence” by teens is leading cities to crack down, but youth advocates say they’re going about it the wrong way

An aerial photo of a black basketball court that says "Eat. Learn. Play." in colorful font

Steph and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation to Remodel Six Oakland Schoolyards

May 23, 2023 Momo Chang

This past weekend, Allendale Elementary in East Oakland revealed a newly-constructed playground, garden, and mural to the community. Allendale is the first of six Oakland public schools that will receive a new playground, thanks to

images of handmade posters stating "straight outta funding" and "help oakland teachers stay in oakland"

OUSD Teachers On Strike Today

May 4, 2023 Momo Chang

Today, unionized OUSD teachers and other staff went on strike, as bargaining continues with the district. “Our goal was and still is to bargain a contract that will help the Oakland Unified recruit and retain

an overhead view of a woman's hands typing on a laptop

Laney College and Hack the Hood Year-Long Program Comes with $400 Monthly Stipend

April 26, 2023 Momo Chang

Students who want to get an education in the STEM field can apply and enroll now in Drive: Laney, a program between Laney College and Oakland-based Hack the Hood. Students who complete the 12 month

A group of books with an African woman on the cover are on a brightly lit table

Reviews: Chapter 510’s New Youth-Written Books Full of Imagination and Creativity (Part 2)

April 19, 2023 Momo Chang and Kristal Raheem

Some Oakland Voices correspondents read and reviewed newly published books by Chapter 510, a literary nonprofit based in Old Oakland. The youngest writers were 8 years old when they wrote their books. The published books include

Senior Girls Basketball Team Members Reflect On Time at Oakland Tech

April 17, 2023 Tony Daquipa

The class of 2023 went through some challenges in their high school careers. In addition to distance learning in 2020, this year’s senior class of student athletes had most of their sophomore seasons taken away