St. HOPE: Home
Let’s Read Oak Park
Underground Books
Let’s Read Oak Park is presented by St. HOPE for elementary school aged children to explore books and participate in hands on activities with an emphasis on cultural themes. Students will engage in interactive book readings, and select a free book of their choice to take home and encourage reading together as a family!
Each child will receive a FREE book to take home from Underground Books.
Family Movie Matinee
Guild Theater
Join us for a free family movie matinee at the Guild Theater this Sunday, November 3rd! We will be showing the live-action adaptation of Disney’s classic, “Aladdin.” This exciting and vibrant tale follows the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine, and the Genie who may hold the key to their future. Don’t miss this magical adventure on the big screen!
The Guild Theater’s Free Family Movie Matinees are a perfect opportunity for families to enjoy a fun and entertaining movie experience together. We look forward to seeing you there!
St. HOPE Academy Founded by Kevin Johnson
July 1989
St. HOPE began in 1989 as an afterschool program in a portable classroom at Sacramento High School
After 13 years, St. HOPE realized that an after school program simply wasn’t enough to dramatically improve the academic outcomes of children, that it would be necessary to establish and run our own schools.
In 2003, St. HOPE Public Schools was founded as a preK-12 independent charter school district that provides high-quality education to nearly 2,000 students.
St. HOPE Facility Grand Opening
January 1992
7,000 square foot facility opening at 4101 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
40 acres Art & Cultural Center Grand Opening
May 2003
St. HOPE’s largest economic development project opened with Underground Books, Uncle Jed’s Cut Hut, Starbucks and the Guild Theater.
40 Acres is the jewel of the SHDC efforts in the Oak Park community. The building was the historic Woodruff Hotel which was build in 1922 and was renovated by St. HOPE Development company in 2003.
The 23,000 sq. ft. mixed use facility includes:
- Guild Theater
- Underground Books
- Old Soul Coffee House
- Coopers Wine Bar
- Upper Room Apartments
Sac High and PS7 Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
St. HOPE is pleased to help bring Hispanic Heritage Month to life through community partnerships at each of the St. HOPE Public School sites. The school-wide celebration spanning from September 15-October 15 immerses Tk-12th grade scholars in Latinx art, dance, literacy, and cooking events. These engaging activities help expose scholars to generations of Hispanic trailblazers who made U.S. history and celebrate the history, traditions, and vibrant culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Cherise Jones, Class of 2007
Cherise Jones believes so much in St. HOPE Public Schools’ innovative education model that she is both a Sac High alumni and a proud staff member. After Cherise graduated from Sac High she attended San Jose State University and then she worked at St. HOPE Public Schools in the special education department for four years.
3rd Annual Black Film Festival Returns to Oak Park
We are thrilled that the Oak Park Black Film Festival is returning to for the third year. From Tuesday, October 8 through Sunday, October 13, the greater Sacramento community is invited to enjoy and experience African-American stories and history through cinema. The six-day event will showcase independent feature, documentary, and short films by African-American filmmakers, along with panel discussions and exclusive events. We are excited to have different moderators for each day of the film festival including several local reporters.
St. HOPE Charters Unanimously Approved
President's Message - 9.23.24
The line “it takes a village” has never been more true as our community rallied behind PS7 and Sacramento Charter High School to express their support for the schools. I’m thrilled to report that the Sacramento City Unified School Board voted unanimously on September 19 to renew the charters for both schools for another 5-year term (until June 30, 2030). I am incredibly grateful for all the support that the schools received and that they can continue focusing on educating scholars and sending them to and through college.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: E’Myiah Morris, Class of 2024
E’Myiah Morris says St. HOPE Public Schools feels like family as she started at PS7 Elementary in third grade and graduated from Sac High in 2024. She credits the schools’ college going culture for putting her on the path to higher education and is excited that she is now attending Northern Arizona University.
New Addition to the Oak Park Black Film Festival
The 2024 Oak Park Black Film Festival kicks off in October with the addition of a local filmmakers day.
A limited number of VIP All-Access Passes are on sale now with Daily Passes available for purchase in the near future.
The Oak Park Black Film Festival is a celebration of African-American stories and history through cinema showcasing independent features, documentaries and short films by African-American filmmakers.
Author Talk with Sheryl Grant at Underground Books on Sept. 4
We hope you can Join us for the Author Talk with Sheryl Grant at Underground Books on Wednesday, September 4 from 6 – 7:30pm. It will be an exciting evening filled with insightful discussions, book signings, and a chance to meet the talented author herself.
St. HOPE Public Schools Up for Charter Renewal
Many of you may know that PS7 and Sac High are working with the Sacramento City Unified School District to renew their charters so they can continue operating as public charter schools. Both schools serve a high percentage of African American, Hispanic/Latino and low income students and for over 20 years they have been successfully closing the opportunity gap. The SCUSD Board of Education will be voting on the charter renewals on September 19. Below is information from Cassandra Jennings about her changing role at St. HOPE Public Schools:
Off to an Exciting Start
President's Message - 8.26.24
Happy back to school! We are thrilled to report that all of our PS7 Elementary scholars and staff started the school year in new brand classrooms at our renovated campus on Strawberry Lane. Here is a wonderful video from the first day of school where you can see the modernized campus.
Looking for an Office in Oak Park?
Come join the movement, by bringing your business to Oak Park.
St. HOPE has an office vacancy in a charming Victorian commercial property that offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern convenience. Spanning 763 square feet, this space is ideal space for a professional office.
More than just a rental space, this office is an opportunity to become a part of Sacramento’s rich history while growing your business in a thriving community. Don’t miss out on the chance to make this unique space your own!
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Samantha (Santi) Gunderson, Class of 2011
Samantha (Santi) Gunderson is a proud third-generation Sac High graduate. Growing up in an environment where both staff and students shared a collective goal—to strive for betterment for themselves and each other—Santi found herself surrounded by a culture deeply rooted in academic excellence. At Sac High, the expectation that students would continue their education beyond graduation was woven into the school’s culture.
Oak Park Speaker Series Features Award Winning Actor Jay Ellis
Join us for the next Oak Park Speaker Series at the Guild Theater on August 19 for an exciting evening with Award Winning Actor Jay Ellis as he discusses his new book “Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?“.
Now Enrolling for the 2024-25 School Year: Join Our St. HOPE Public Schools Family
Enrollment is underway as we gear up for the 2024-25 school year! Our schools are excited for some new features and returning favorites. Our BRAND NEW PS7 Elementary campus is well under way with new rooms being finished every day. PS7 Middle School is adding new athletic programs this upcoming school year to support scholars in exploring their passions. Sac High is expanding the Dual Enrollment program to serve EVERY grade level – Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors AND Seniors.
A Year of Highlights & Preparing for a Special Guest
President's Message - 7.16.24
I hope that you all are having a good summer and are staying cool as we weather the hot temperatures. We wrapped up a fantastic school year at PS7 and Sac High – please check out our 2023-24 highlights video that features our scholars’ successes and showcases our schools’ innovative and exciting programs.
Sacramento’s Juneteenth events feature The 1619 Project creator at Oak Park’s Guild Theater
With Juneteenth this week Sacramento has parties, marches and more in celebration.
This Wednesday, the California Black Agricultural Working Group will host a celebration at the Capitol State Park as well as a resource fair. People are invited to “experience our unique California Journey from Slavery to Freedom here in the Great State of California,” according to the organization’s flyer.
Celebrating College-Bound Sac High Graduates
We are thrilled that this year, 95% of Sac High seniors were accepted into four-year colleges including 8 University of California campuses, 18 California State University campuses, and 23 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In May, we hosted Signing Day where our seniors formally committed to their university of choice. Some of the universities that Sac High seniors will attend in fall 2024 include Cornell University, Howard University, Clark Atlanta University, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, CSU Long Beach, and San Jose State University.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Uriah Derlantiss, Class of 2020
Uriah Derlantiss’ time at Sac High fostered a supportive educational environment and strong community ties. At Sac High, Uriah excelled academically, graduating with a 4.06 GPA. The school’s emphasis on a college-going culture played a significant role in her success. She appreciated that the school offered numerous Advanced Placement (AP) courses and held events that connected students with higher education opportunities. Uriah says the teachers and staff at St. HOPE taught her essential life skills, including perseverance, flexibility, and effective communication.
Join Us for the 4th Annual Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 15
You won’t want to miss St. HOPE’s 4th annual Juneteenth Block Party at 40 Acres event on Saturday, June 15 from 4-9pm that will take place in and around the 40 Acres Complex in Oak Park (35th Street and Broadway). The free event will have activities for everyone, including a kids zone, live music, black-owned vendors, cultural activities and of course amazing food! We have a great lineup of performances which include:
Featured bands include the return of the Shawn Raiford Band, the Tina Turner tribute and Klymaxx as the headliner
Oak Park Speaker Series Features New York Times bestselling Author Nikole Hannah-Jones to Discuss Her Book The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story
Underground Books is excited to host another sold out event at the Guild Theater on Thursday, June 13 from 6-8pm for an evening featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones. Nikole covered racial injustice for The New York Times Magazine and is the creator of the landmark The 1619 Project, now a Hulu original docuseries. Originally a special project of The New York Times Magazine, The 1619 Project book debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list.
Sac High Recognized as Honor Roll School by Educational Results Partnership
We are thrilled that Sac High was named to the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) Honor Roll, which recognizes top schools in California that have outperformed their peers in closing achievement gaps, particularly among higher-poverty and historically disadvantaged student populations.