Esperanza School Achievements

At Esperanza School, 80% of students met goals last year, and 100% of students receiving speech therapy have increased their communication ability. Mustafa, a student who had been non-verbal, now greets his classmates and even sings along with a few of his favorite songs.

Students like Gabby, a high school student, are making strides towards their educational goals. After reading an article about how astronomers had discovered a new planet, Gabby was excited to discuss the news with his teacher. “There’s another Earth, with oxygen and water!,” he exclaimed.

Gabby is also excelling in Esperanza’s Vocational Program, which was started in 2009 to provide hands-on job preparation for 18 students through collaborations with local businesses. Students are learning practical, transferable skills, building confidence –and in most cases, earning a paycheck. Gabby is currently interning at a local UPS store, where he is gaining retail sales and customer service experience. 85% of Esperanza School students have vocational goals built into their Individual Education Plan (IEP).