Origins
The inspiration for Esperanza Elementary comes from the experiences and research of our primary founder Barbara Lovejoy. As a grade school teacher in schools in Salt Lake’s Westside neighborhoods, Barbara wondered why so many of her bright Hispanic fifth graders were failing seven years later in high school.
Currently, only 68% of Hispanic students graduate from high school, compared with the statewide average of 81%, or the rate for Caucasian students at 85%. There is a similar difference in test scores.
This sad disparity set Barbara on a quest to understand why so many Hispanic students are not academically successful and what can be done to improve these outcomes. Esperanza is the result of her twenty-year investigation.
The programs and organization of the Esperanza school and community are research-based and designed to close the academic achievement gap for Hispanic youth. All aspects of our school exist to support this primary purpose.
Esperanza welcomes students of all backgrounds and ethnicities. Esperanza values a diverse school community. Esperanza’s school design will help all students to be academically successful.
I have come to believe that a school designed for children of color works for white children. The reverse, however, is not true. Consequently, if we design our schools to work for children of color they will work for all children. –John Morefield, Ph.D., Danforth Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, University of Washington
Our purpose is to provide a nurturing school environment that gives each student what they need to thrive, to become biliterate and academically successful. Our school is special because:
- Esperanza welcomes children of all backgrounds and ethnicities.
– One of Esperanza’s primary purposes is to close the academic achievement gap for Hispanic youth.
– Esperanza provides a quality education that celebrates culture and family.
– Esperanza offers a whole-school Spanish-English dual immersion program.
– Esperanza’s teachers and staff are bi-literate and multi-cultural — no language barriers.
– Esperanza actively involves parents and families in the success of their children.
Esperanza’s Spanish-English dual-immersion language component is more than a program. Unlike other dual language schools, our school is Spanish-English school wide, all day, in every aspect of the school operation. This model results in greater success for both dominant English speakers and dominant Spanish speakers.
Esperanza’s Director/Principal Eulogio Alejandre:
We are excited to be so close to the first day of school on August 18, 2014. We look forward to Esperanza making a wonderful difference in the lives of the students and families in our community. Please join us.
Currently, only 68% of Hispanic students graduate from high school, compared with the statewide average of 81%, or the rate for Caucasian students at 85%. There is a similar difference in test scores.
This sad disparity set Barbara on a quest to understand why so many Hispanic students are not academically successful and what can be done to improve these outcomes. Esperanza is the result of her twenty-year investigation.
The programs and organization of the Esperanza school and community are research-based and designed to close the academic achievement gap for Hispanic youth. All aspects of our school exist to support this primary purpose.
Esperanza welcomes students of all backgrounds and ethnicities. Esperanza values a diverse school community. Esperanza’s school design will help all students to be academically successful.
I have come to believe that a school designed for children of color works for white children. The reverse, however, is not true. Consequently, if we design our schools to work for children of color they will work for all children. –John Morefield, Ph.D., Danforth Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, University of Washington
Our purpose is to provide a nurturing school environment that gives each student what they need to thrive, to become biliterate and academically successful. Our school is special because:
- Esperanza welcomes children of all backgrounds and ethnicities.
– One of Esperanza’s primary purposes is to close the academic achievement gap for Hispanic youth.
– Esperanza provides a quality education that celebrates culture and family.
– Esperanza offers a whole-school Spanish-English dual immersion program.
– Esperanza’s teachers and staff are bi-literate and multi-cultural — no language barriers.
– Esperanza actively involves parents and families in the success of their children.
Esperanza’s Spanish-English dual-immersion language component is more than a program. Unlike other dual language schools, our school is Spanish-English school wide, all day, in every aspect of the school operation. This model results in greater success for both dominant English speakers and dominant Spanish speakers.
Esperanza’s Director/Principal Eulogio Alejandre:
We are excited to be so close to the first day of school on August 18, 2014. We look forward to Esperanza making a wonderful difference in the lives of the students and families in our community. Please join us.