Delta Charter School in Tracy, CA is a K-12 public charter school with a total enrollment of 798 students with wide diversity: 50% are Hispanic, 32% are White, 8% are 2 or more races, 6% are Black, and 4% are Asian or Pacific Islander. Of the total, 49% are from low income families and 7% are learning English. Nevertheless, the 4-year high school graduation rate is 97% vs. 86% for CA state average, and the percentage pursuing 2-year college or vocational programs is slightly above state average.
Students per teacher ratio is 21:1, and the parents’ reports about the teachers and staff are quite positive. Great Schools.org reports the following:
“Teachers at this school are effective: they are very experienced and do more than teach required lessons–they provide genuine learning experiences that allow kids to engage with curriculum.”
“Leadership at this school is effective: it is strong, effective and supportive. The administration, the board, and the principals all care about doing what is right for kids. They are proactive and take time to get to know the students. This school effectively supports students with learning differences.”
My audience was 54 8th graders who have been studying the Holocaust for about 4 weeks, beginning by completing a KWL chart, then conducting research and presenting it to the class. They have read the book Refugee by Alan Gratz about a young Jewish boy set in 1942, and have just started reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris and the Diary of Anne Frank. Unfortunately we started late, and when I finished I learned that there was no time for Q&A, which I feel is most important with young audiences, so I volunteered to answer questions that would be emailed to me
My interaction with the school was with Adrienne Edwards, Delta Chapter Parent Teacher Club, and my participation was arranged by Lexi Jason, Education Programs Manager of Seattle’s Holocaust Center for Humanity.
