St. HOPE Public Schools

Our Vision & Mission

The vision of St. HOPE Public Schools is: “To create one of the finest urban kindergarten through 12th grade public school systems in America.”

Our mission is: “To graduate self-motivated, industrious and critically thinking leaders who are committed to serving others, passionate about life-long learning, and prepared to earn a degree from a four-year college.”

Our Story

A Legacy of Opportunity 

Established in 1989, St. HOPE began as an after-school program founded by former Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, who grew up in Oak Park and returned to his hometown after retiring from the NBA.

In 2003, Sacramento High School faced state intervention as student achievement continued to decline. St. HOPE stepped forward with a bold vision: reopen Sacramento High School as a charter school and create a strong academic pathway beginning with PS7, a TK–8 public school designed to prepare scholars for success at Sacramento Charter High School.

More than three decades later, that commitment to educational opportunity continues to guide everything we do. 

College Prep Academic Program 

We have a rigorous academic program that prepares all  of our scholars to succeed in college and beyond. We  adhere to the same state standards as every other public school in California and our curriculum is designed to meet or exceed common core state standards. In fact, all of our Sac High scholars graduate A-G eligible, which means they can apply to a CSU or UC. We are proud of our exceptional college acceptance rate – each year nearly all of our high school  seniors are accepted into four-year colleges and universities!

We also offer a dual enrollment program where our high school scholars can simultaneously earn both high school and college credit. Research shows that participation in dual enrollment programs is associated with higher high school completion, college readiness, and higher academic achievement. 

Great Teachers. Strong Outcomes.

At St. HOPE Public Schools, we believe deeply in the power of excellent teachers. We have seen first hand that  three consecutive years of excellent teaching can overcome the average achievement gap between traditionally under-served scholars and their peers.

Our educators collaborate closely to understand scholar needs, build on successes, and ensure that learning continues to grow year to year. We equip all of our educators with robust coaching and resources to help them become the best possible teachers and mentors for our scholars.

Beyond the Classroom

Academic achievement is at the heart of our work, but we know that a great school experience is about more than test scores. We prioritize a welcoming school culture and create opportunities throughout the year for scholars and families to connect, celebrate, and grow together.

Our elementary scholars participate in three electives – art, music and PE – giving them opportunities to explore different interests and develop new skills while providing classroom teachers with additional planning time. Our middle school and high school scholars enjoy many different clubs and leadership opportunities as well as our award-winning sports programs.  

What Sets Us Apart 

There are so many things that make St. HOPE Public Schools special and unique! A few of them include:

• Fully renovated and modernized PS7 Elementary School campus
• Full inclusion model for students with disabilities
• Free after-school program for all scholars
• Long-standing partnership with College Track
• Championship athletics programs
• And so much more!

The Five Pillars of St. HOPE Public Schools

High Expectations
St. HOPE Public Schools have high expectations for academic achievement and conduct that are clearly defined, measurable, and make no excuses based on the background of students. Students, parents, teachers, and staff create and reinforce a culture of achievement and support, through a range of formal and informal rewards and consequences or academic performance and behavior.
Choice and Commitment
Students, their parents, and the staff of St. HOPE Public Schools choose to participate in the program. No one is assigned or forced to attend. Everyone must make and uphold a commitment to their school and to each other to put in the time and effort required to achieve success.
More Time
St. HOPE Public Schools knows that there are no shortcuts when it comes to success in academics and life. With an extended school day, week, and year, students have more time in the classroom to acquire the academic knowledge and skills that prepare them for competitive colleges, as well as more opportunities to engage in diverse extracurricular experiences.
Focus on Results
St. HOPE Public Schools focuses relentlessly on high student performance through standardized tests and other objective measures. Just as there are no shortcuts, there are no exceptions. Students are expected to achieve a level of academic performance that will enable them to succeed in the nation’s best colleges and the world beyond.
Power to Lead
St. HOPE Public Schools strongly believes the measure of a person’s success is in what he or she gives to others. Through community service, students develop a strong sense of civic responsibility and establish the foundation for a lifetime of meaningful community involvement. Students also deepen and demonstrate their learning, are empowered to become leaders, and impact the community in which they live.