ACORN Woodland Elementary   

According to Kimi Kean, principal of the first new school in the small schools movement, "Small schools don't work overnight, you don't mix a powder and water and get an instant great school. We do have to hold small schools accountable as a reform initiative but we also have to get real about the level of support and leadership needed to make a sustainable transformation."

Over time, Kean says, the school has developed a powerful culture that has translated into big leaps in learning among kids who have been historically very underserved. But she notes that "this work is always overwhelming: the needs of our kids are great, and we are constantly working with parents, community, and colleagues to make the school's progress sustainable. People in under-resourced urban schools tend to burn out in around five years. As we enter our eighth year, the challenge is not getting too comfortable with how far we've come."

"I don't think we'd be where we are today without the ongoing support of BayCES. They have been a completely committed and vital partner from the very beginning. BayCES has helped us tackle incredibly challenging issues and my BayCES coach has helped me personally be a more transformative leader."

Acorn Woodland was highlighted in San Francisco Magazine in October 2007.  Read more here.