Ednovate Students Bring Their Stories to Sacramento During Advocacy Day
At Ednovate, we believe the strongest advocates for our schools are the students and educators who bring our mission to life every day.
On Monday, May 18, Ednovate students and staff traveled to Sacramento to meet directly with state lawmakers, sharing not only the impact of their schools but also the experiences and aspirations behind them and how Ednovate helps them reach their potential. The delegation participated in six meetings with state legislator offices representing Ednovate school communities, including Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, whose district includes USC South LA College Prep, and the chairs of the Senate and Assembly Education Committees.
The group included student representatives from USC East College Prep and USC South LA College Prep, Interim CEO Katie Hart, Senior Director of Family Engagement and Strategy Jenny Aguas, Community and Advocacy Manager Klarissa Palacios, and Alex Carpenter, the founding principal of Atlas College Prep, opening this fall near Tustin.
The conversations focused on what makes the Ednovate model unique: rigorous college-preparatory academics, personalized support, and a deep belief in student potential. Students spoke about what it means to attend schools where college is not just a dream, but an expectation—and where they are supported every step of the way toward that future, as evidenced by our recent annual Decision Day celebration.
At the center of every conversation was Ednovate’s mission to create Positive Multigenerational Change. Students shared how access to strong academic opportunities, caring educators, and clear college pathways has shaped not only their own futures, but the hopes and possibilities for their families and communities as well.
These meetings were not about a specific policy ask or legislative fight. They were about connection, understanding, and ensuring that decision-makers hear directly from the students and communities impacted by public education policy every day.
What made the day especially powerful was hearing students confidently tell their own stories. They spoke about their goals, their growth, and the opportunities they are working toward. Their voices reflected the strength, resilience, and ambition that define Ednovate’s high-quality public high schools across Southern California.
Advocacy Day also reinforced something we know to be true: when students are given the tools, support, and belief they deserve, they rise to meet extraordinary expectations.
We are deeply grateful to the lawmakers and staff who took the time to meet with our students and school leaders, and even more grateful to the students who represented their schools and communities with authenticity, confidence, and heart.
Their stories are the reason this work matters.
