Partnerships & Collaborations

East Palo Alto Charter School
Imagine an educational experience where everything matters, and the entire faculty, student, and community body are fully engaged in the educational experience...that is exactly what is happening at East Palo Alto Charter School. Collective Roots headquarters is based at East Palo Alto Charter School, a year round public school that serves over 400 K-8 students in the Ravenswood City School District. EPACS is a remarkable community school that takes an integrated approach to improving student achievement by providing world class instruction matched with superb leadership, and a wide range of on-site support, services and after-school activities that engage parents and the community at large in the children’s learning. EPACS has proven to be an exceptional partner, providing Collective Roots with office and garden space, financial support through collaborative grants mainstream education funding, and professional support in the form of a motivated and talented group of teachers, faculty members and parents.

East Palo Alto Charter School is 85% hispanic, 13% African American, and 2% other. 53% of the students are English Language Learners.

Key Highlights of Achievements at EPACS

• In 2006, EPACS broke 800 on its Academic Performance Index (API)
• 2006 results grew 46 points over the previous year — the state target for growth was 1 point
• Over the past 6 years, EPACS' API has grown by 294 points
• EPACS has had a 10-out-of-10 similar schools ranking every year since 2002
• Parent satisfaction is high: 97% of parents rate EPACS an "A" or "B" compared to the national average of 70%
• EPACS' wait list is 92% of capacity
• In 2006, EPACS' 7th grade class had the 5th highest test scores in the state of California — out of more than 2,000 schools
• EPACS is the highest performing school in the Ravenswood District

Health Trust
School and community gardens promote healthier eating and physical activity while enhancing civic engagement and our sense of community. They are a proven solution to the obesity epidemic, making nutritious food and physical activity more readily available to people of all ages. In an innovative new partnership, The Health Trust has joined together with AmeriCorps and ten local organizations (including Collective Roots) to form the Silicon Valley HealthCorps. The goal of this collaboration is to use gardens, farm to school programs and the work of 46 AmeriCorps volunteers to bring fresh fruits, vegetables and education to residents of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. 

San Mateo County Health Department
The San Mateo County Health Department is concerned with healthy disparities and is supporting the development of a healthier food system in East Palo Alto. A key focus is the development of the East Palo Alto Community Farmers' Market.

Environmental Volunteers
Environmental Volunteers (EVOLS) promotes the understanding of, and responsibility for, the environment through hands-on science education. EVOLS has provided exceptional support to Collective Roots over the last few years. This partnership has leveraged our joint organizational efforts to reach as many children as possible with environmentally based life science activities.

Canopy
Canopy is a Palo Alto-based non-profit advocate for the urban forest and works to educate, inspire, and engage the community as stewards of young and mature trees. Canopy is supporting Collective Roots with technical assistance involving tree selection and donating trees for planting at our school garden sites.

Sagrero Tree Service
Efrain Sagrero is an active supporter of the East Palo Alto Charter School and has become a great friend to Collective Roots. Efrain brings high quality chipped tree mulch to our gardens and generously donates his time and support. Efrain has been in business since 1992 and sets a great example of how small businesses make a difference in their community.

We welcome additional partnerships with local tree companies. Please contact Wolfram Alderson for additional information.

Getting Going Growing
Getting Going Growing is a non-profit community collaborative dedicated to supporting School Gardens. Getting Going Growing acts as a resource clearinghouse for help with getting school gardens growing. Get Growing Going connects schools with providers of in kind donations such as garden supplies or irrigation help. Susan Stansbury leads this effort and has been a long time supporter of Collective Roots work.

Elizabeth Gamble Garden
The Gamble Garden offers a rich array of programs and provides many learning opportunities for children. The Gamble Garden generously donates seedlings to Collective Roots for planting in our school gardens.

Stanford Health Population Health Project
The Population Health Projects give students the opportunity to integrate and apply their understanding of health determinants and physician advocacy, and to contribute to addressing some of the most pressing health challenges faced by the local community.

Hidden Villa Farm and Wilderness Preserve
Hidden Villa is a nonprofit educational organization that uses its organic farm, wilderness, and community to teach and provide opportunities to learn about the environment and social justice. Hidden Villa's mission is to inspire a just and sustainable future through it's programs, land and legacy. Hidden Villa currently provides programing for Collective Root's K-8 students and the organizations are working together to expand the partnership to other areas, as well.

For more information on current projects involving these partners of Collective Roots, click here.