From West Oakland to Capitol Hill: My Full Circle KIPP Story
My name is Sandra, and in the summer before 6th grade, my family and I moved to West Oakland. My mom and I were excited to be part of the community and enroll in the second founding class at KIPP Bridge back in 2003. That excitement came with a layer of anxiety as well. Many of my classmates already had established friend groups from the previous year, and I was the new kid arriving without immediate connections.
One of the first things I noticed about KIPP Bridge was the strong sense of community. The school protected me while also helping me feel rooted in the neighborhood. I quickly found myself walking to school with classmates and getting to know their parents and siblings, too. There were adults inside and outside the classroom who genuinely cared about me and wanted me to grow and succeed. I felt like I mattered, and that made me feel safe enough to be myself.
At the time, KIPP was known for its structure and discipline. We attended school from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm every day, with Saturday school once a month. I personally loved the structure, though I know that every child learns differently. I’m glad to see how KIPP has evolved to take a more holistic approach, one that prioritizes mental health and home life, alongside rigorous academics.
At KIPP, I also began to understand the inequities that shaped our lives, especially in the Bay Area. My teachers were honest about the systemic disparities we faced around income, immigration, and socioeconomic background. As a young Latina growing up in Oakland, I became aware of the challenges I would continue to face. Instead of discouraging me, that awareness sparked something within me.
During our 8th grade end-of-year trip to Washington, D.C., I saw powerful reminders of change through monuments and museums. I learned about careers in public service, visited universities, and began to envision a future where I could make a meaningful impact. That trip planted a seed, and it stayed with me.
After middle school, I attended an independent high school with students from wealthy families who had access to resources my family could not afford and did not even know existed. I quickly realized that though the playing field was not equal, the expectations were the same. For the first time, I was not at the top of my class. I felt behind and even ashamed that I could not afford tutoring or spend money the way my classmates did. The experience opened my eyes to the deeper failures of our education system and fueled my desire to be part of changing it.
That desire took me back to D.C., where I attended The George Washington University and majored in political science. The city’s energy, its people, its history, and its urgency were electric. During college, I found ways to stay involved in community work and volunteer efforts. After earning my degree, I knew I wanted to continue working in public policy, centering underrepresented voices.
Most recently, I worked with former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs to build up End Poverty in California (EPIC). I organized dozens of county listening sessions in partnership with local organizations to gather real stories from Californians about what was happening in their communities. We shared our findings with state legislators and the Governor’s office. I ensured that Spanish-speaking families were included in every step by providing interpreters and translated materials, so their voices were heard and honored. It was humbling to be part of such a systemwide effort to address poverty in my home state.
This spring, I experienced a full-circle moment. I returned to D.C., this time as an alumni advocate for KIPP. 8th grade Sandra would be so proud. I walked the halls of Capitol Hill not as a student on a field trip, but as a policy advocate, proudly representing the long-term impact of public charter schools. I was surrounded by KIPP parents, alumni, including one of my best friends Jessica from KIPP Bridge, and staff who deeply believe in educational equity. Together, we pushed for strong mental health support in schools and access to high-quality public education for all students.
Reflecting on this journey, I am filled with gratitude. KIPP invested in me, both inside and beyond the classroom. It gave me a sense of possibility and community that still shapes me today. I feel a deep responsibility to give back to the neighborhoods that raised me and to keep showing up for future generations. I am excited for whatever comes next, and I know I will continue to stay connected to KIPP Bridge and the greater KIPP community.
I used my voice through policy and advocacy, but using your voice doesn’t have to look the same. It can be a conversation with a loved one, a story you share with your community, or simply showing up for the causes that matter to you.
There’s no right way to speak; just your way.
And if you’re ready to let your representative know what’s important to you, you can start here by finding your state and local representatives: www.usa.gov/elected-officials
Your voice is powerful. However you choose to use it, it counts.
