Oakland Unified School District
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Categories: Articles with sections needing expansion | Education in Oakland, California | Oakland, California | School districts in California
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Oakland Unified School District is a public education school district which operates elementary schools (K-5), middle schools (6-8), and high schools (9-12) in Oakland, California.
SchoolsThe Oakland Unified School District (2006-2007) includes 59 elementary schools, 23 middle schools, 19 high schools, with 9 alternative education schools and programs, 4 adult education schools and early childhood education centers at most of the elementary schools [1] There are 46,000 K-12 students, 32,000 adult students, and 6,000 plus employees. [2] Elementary schools
Middle schools
High schools
HistoryThe Oakland Unified School District was founded in the 19th century as part of the city's birth as a bedroom community for families working in San Francisco. Today the district includes over 120 schools including several dozen sites that have been founded or redesigned as part a nationwide small schools movement. Ebonics controversyIn December 1996, the Oakland school board made nationwide news when it passed a resolution declaring "Ebonics", also known as African American Vernacular English, a language of its own, "genetically based" and not a dialect of English.[3]. The move was lambasted by critics, based partially on the conception that schools would be "teaching" Ebonics rather than standard English.[4] Famous graduatesFamous Oakland public school graduates include Hollywood actors Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood, and NBA basketball all-stars Gary Payton and Bill Russell. Hanks, having started acting at Skyline High School, thanked his acting teacher Rawley T. Farnsworth in his speech at the Oscars for winning the Best Actor award. Hanks later donated $125,000 to the Skyline performing arts department. External linksReferences |
