Learning Lab

The OIHS Learning Lab was established to improve education for newcomers in Oakland Unified School District and around the country. Based at Oakland International High School, its researcher-practitioner staff work to uplift promising practices and knowledge to educators, policymakers, and researchers.

For Educators

We provide thought partnership, school visitations and opportunities for technical assistance on best practices related to curriculum, data practices, community school design and socio-emotional supports. Our next Open House is scheduled for April 11th, 2024. To register, please complete this form.

For Policy Makers

As practitioners, we work to bridge the all too common divide between schools and decision makers. We share data-driven best practices to inform sound decision making at systems levels.

For Researchers

We provide data and share best practices to researchers interested in newcomer students.

Publications & Reports

The OIHS Learning Lab regularly contributes to reports and publications in the field of education policy. Here are some recent publications of note written by our staff or that feature our work & best practices:

"Oakland International High School: A Thriving Community School for Oakland’s Newcomer Students," Learning Policy Institute Report, September 2023
"A Community School in Service of Newcomer Students," PACE Policy Brief, August 2023
"Guidance for District Administrators Serving Newcomer Students," PACE Policy Brief, August 2023
"Newcomers in California." PACE Policy Analysis, May 2023
"Supporting Newcomers through a Community School Model," Learning Policy Institute’s “Educating the Whole Child” blog, June 2021
"The "Warm Embrace" of a Newcomer School for Immigrant & Refugee Youth," Theory into Practice Journal, Issue 2: Imagining Sites of Possibility in Immigrant and Refugee Education, June 2018

Interested in visiting OIHS to learn from our work?

Our fall open house is now full.

Our next Open House will be held on Thursday, April 11th, from 9:00-3:30

We host regular Open Houses to allow educators to see our model in action and learn best practices related to both. These visits are appropriate for teachers, school administrators, social workers, mental health practitioners, education providers, policy-makers and educational researchers.

To register, please complete this form

Interested in technical assistance on best practices supporting newcomers inside and/or outside of the classroom?

Contact David Hansen: david.hansen@ousd.org.

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