St. Hope Band 2

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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.

General information

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