Leaning In Initiative
Mount Pleasant Elementary School District
The Leaning In Initiative’s (LII) purpose is to improve student outcomes through civic education and engagement opportunities. The initiative expects everyone in the school’s community to lean into civic engagement in order to support student learning and human development. One hundred percent (Grades 6-8, 100%) of students participate through the alignment and integration of curriculum with civics education and community engagement opportunities. One of our effective methods is teachers (100%), collaborating across disciplines, working with provided curricula and supplementing as needed to ensure that there are opportunities for students to build community and make meaningful connections and relevancy. The Leaning In Initiative’s philosophy aligns with the school’s- all children can achieve when provided a caring school environment, high expectations, role models, voice, curricular & extracurricular opportunities, and support systems.
Program Summary
The Leaning In Initiative (LII) supports August Boeger Middle School’s LCAP goals by increasing student engagement, improving school climate, advancing equity, and strengthening family and community partnerships. Serving all students in grades 6–8, LII integrates civic learning, leadership, and real-world relevance into core instruction and enrichment, fostering student voice, belonging, and purpose.
LII promotes pupil engagement and attendance by connecting learning to civic action and leadership, contributing to improved attendance and sustained reductions in disciplinary referrals and suspensions. It also supports a positive and inclusive school climate through restorative practices, accountability, and student leadership.
Academically, LII strengthens literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving across disciplines, with particular benefits for historically underserved students. As a Community School, LII increases parent and community engagement through participation in ELAC, School Site Council, PTSA, LCAP committees, and civic events.
LII aligns most directly with California State Priorities 3 (Parent Involvement), 5 (Pupil Engagement), and 6 (School Climate) by intentionally educating and engaging families, increasing student voice and participation, and promoting a safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environment.
Program Goals
As a result of the intentional alignment and integration of existing curriculum with civic education and community engagement opportunities, 100% of our 396 students (Grades 6-8) are participants. The Leaning In Initiative, along with our whole child approach to support students, has decreased absenteeism 1 of the last 2 years, decreased referrals and suspensions for 2 consecutive years, and increased test scores for 2 consecutive years (California Dashboard graphics in links below). We are proud that 98.7% of our students (391/396, grades 6-8) volunteer outside of the classroom, including: fundraising for causes, organizing community events, and serving as activists/advocates. Our faculty is vested both professionally and personally in the civic education of our students and we are constantly exploring how to increase impact for our students and community.
A positive residual effect of LII has been an increase in parent engagement through our Parent Teacher Student Association, School Site Council, Dress Code Committee, Coffee with the Principal meetings, event volunteer and/or participation opportunities, our Community School Advisory Council, English, DELAC, and LCAP Committee. Prior to the Leaning In Initiative, the school did not have an English Language Acquisition Committee (ELAC). The AB ELAC is in its third year and most recently, AB multi-lingual learners accounted for 54% of the district’s reclassifications.
Impact on Students
The Leaning In Initiative has been in practice since August 2023. Due to budget constraints, the school has needed to be creative in using existing assets and identifying partners who provide opportunities, volunteers, in-kind donations, and funds for activities. The school has partnered with Santa Clara County Superior Court, Voices for Democracy, Councilmember Domingo Candelas, State Senator Dave Cortese, and Local Color SJ. We are proud that 98.7% of our students (391/396, grades 6-8) volunteer outside of the classroom, including: fundraising for causes, organizing community events, and serving as activists/advocates. Our faculty is vested both professionally and personally in the civic education of our students and we are constantly exploring how to increase impact for our students and community. Our Superintendent, Board, and State Senator have stood with our students and parents to advocate for increased per pupil spending (SB743). Parents have enjoyed watching their children excel with the opportunities that the Leaning In Initiative has provided. Support for LII is strong with all stakeholders highly vested in the success of our students.
Funding for LII will be ongoing due to the initiative’s creative design. Going forward, the Principal and Community School Coordinator will continue to identify and engage partners and funders to build on the solid foundation and success to date.
Sustainability
LLI was inspired by the need to be creative in addressing student’s learning and human developmental needs and the desire by partners like Voices for Democracy and local elected officials to increase students’ civic engagement. By aligning and integrating curriculum, we are taking a new approach to civic learning. Unfortunately, our population has had negative experiences with the government and the judicial system. Leaning In has provided positive experiences with Santa Clara Superior Court Judges who have come to the school to present student awards for Law Day Projects, swearing in Student Council members, and presenting the school with the State Civic Learning Award of Distinction. LLI has also provided our students with the opportunity to advocate for increased per pupil spending in east San Jose, including speaking at a press conference and going to the State Capital (See links for video and photos).
Our students have been negatively impacted by post COVID challenges such as the high cost of living, trauma, food insecurity, home insecurity, and the current climate surrounding immigration. This resulted in high absenteeism, poor student citizenship, high referral and suspension rates, and low test scores. Additionally, budget cuts compel the school to meet the growing needs of students with less human and financial resources. The Leaning In Initiative (LII) is a response to these challenges to student achievement and human development.
Innovation
The program is replicable for schools with different student populations and funding levels. By aligning, integrating, and leveraging the assets of all stakeholders; any school can use this approach with students who are socio-economically disadvantaged, multicultural, and multi-lingual.
The Principal recently presented at Educators Day to share how August Boeger delivers civic education and fosters community engagement. The event was organized by the Santa Clara Superior Court (Presentation is in the links.). The Principal would be happy to share goals and detailed examples of how the curriculum was aligned with civic learning (See links for Curriculum details). Schools are free to use our goals to start a Leaning In Initiative at their school.
Goals
Provide 100% of our students with a quality civic education and opportunities to engage with the community;
Align & integrate existing curriculum with civics education and community engagement opportunities;
Establish strategic partnerships that align with civic education and opportunities to engage with the community.
Replicability
Supporting Data & Info
Video of Program
Coming Soon!