Strategy 5: Education

Orozco Academy

Eric Y. Smith

Pilsen is home to almost 9,000 elementary, middle, and high school students.  Low testing scores and lower enrollment levels are the impetus to build on the community's assets, including strong parent and community involvement, to improve educational opportunities for all students.  The projects under this strategy include:

• Convene a "Principals Table" to coordinate and improve programming in local schools and to attract new students
• Improve transitions from pre-K to primary, middle school, high school, post-secondary institutions and college
• Create a family literacy program to build adult skills and support student achievement
• Engage community organizations and education service providers in education improvement
• Develop high levels of parent involvement and parent leadership at local schools
• Create neighborhood-wide school programs that build on Mexican culture
• Develop paths to higher education for youth and adults
• Develop industry-specific adult education, such as a health academy, that improves access to well-paid jobs