Dewey High School opened in 1963 as Oakland’s first continuation high school, designed to give students struggling in other OUSD high schools a new chance to earn credits and graduate on time. In 2001, Dewey moved to its present location on Second Avenue. The new campus was located next door to the school district’s main offices; however, the District Administration building is now vacant, and there are plans to build a new school and administrative facility in our present location. There is a newly built education complex across the street, housing La Escuelita Elementary School, MetWest High (another small alternative high school), the Youth Heart Health Center, and KDOL, the District’s television station.
Originally serving 10th-12th graders as defined in State Education Code for Continuation schools, after looking at the District’s drop out and transfer data, the Alternative Education Office and Principals of the three continuation high schools agreed to limit continuation schools to students who were 17 or older and who were within reach of an on-time graduation with continuation graduation requirements (190 credits rather than 230).
Dewey students receive appropriate emotional, social and academic supports that guide them to seize the promise of education offered by the school and develop transition plans to guide their entrance into community college or entry level positions in local business and industries. Every graduate completes a Senior Project that includes a personal letter of introduction, two letters of recommendation, a resume, post-graduate plan, personal statement, transcripts and attendance records, applications for community colleges and a completed FAFSA or California Dream Act form.
Students come to Dewey when they are no longer successful in a comprehensive high school program, are behind in credits, have a history of failure and/or attendance issues, and possible gaps in their learning. This continuation high school may be considered the school of “last resort” for the entering student to complete his or her high school education and receive a diploma.
Dewey High School serves students in the 10 – 12th grades who have struggled in Oakland’s comprehensive high schools. Centrally located in Oakland’s Lake Merritt district, Dewey serves a critical and essential mission for the Oakland Unified School District. We give those who are in danger of leaving high school without a diploma a second chance. By design, Dewey is small, so that we can provide students with an educational experience in which they are well known and cared for within an academic program designed to address their academic, emotional, and social challenges.
Students come to Dewey having faced tremendous obstacles: poverty, malnutrition, foster homes, homelessness, family abuse and neglect, teenage pregnancy and parenthood, and
exposure to drugs, gangs, violence, and crime. Most of our students arrive significantly below grade level in academic skills and behind in credits towards graduation. They have had chronic truancy and disciplinary problems throughout their school careers prior to arriving at our school.
Our mission at Dewey, therefore, is no small charge. Students cope with their challenges differently; many struggle with physical, mental and emotional well-being. Regardless of how they arrive, we welcome and accept them as they are, working to identify and leverage their assets to help them develop into graduates capable of transforming their lives, families, and communities.
Mission Statement
Dewey Academy is a caring adult community that encourages the growth and development of students by providing academic, social-emotional, and individual supports. We strive to have all students graduate with a high school diploma or GED and to provide opportunities to obtain college and career readiness skills, vocational training, internships, jobs, and social awareness in a collaborative environment.
Vision
Dewey Academy is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and growth-centered community for at-risk students seeking to graduate and improve their life prospects. We aim to provide college, career, and professional readiness education using engaging and relevant curriculum. Furthermore, our health, fitness, and violence prevention programs teach students invaluable life skills and prepare them for life beyond high school.
Dewey Academy will provide an opportunity for students of all skill levels, learning styles, and backgrounds to earn their high school diploma. We will continue to use technological tools and traditional teaching methods to improve students’ 21st century skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, and problem solving.
Dewey Academy students will graduate as lifelong learners who will make meaningful contributions to their community. Utilizing the skills and knowledge from Dewey, every graduate will walk off the stage prepared for the high expectations of the 21st century professional environment.
This vision includes seeing Dewey students become technologically skilled learners who demonstrate academic proficiency through both direct instruction and online courses. Our students acquire verbal and computer literacy through school wide expectations that they use advanced technology for credit recovery, internet research, word-processing, spreadsheets, presentations (PowerPoint), and digital imaging (scanning, digital photography and videos). Our students will demonstrate learning with performance assessments.
Dewey Academy is open from 8am - 4pm
