Learning Lab

The OIHS Learning Lab was established in 2017 to improve education for newcomers in Oakland, throughout California, and nation-wide. Based at Oakland International High School, our researcher-practitioner staff work to uplift promising practices and knowledge to educators, policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders committed to transforming outcomes and experiences for newcomer youth.

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. We also contract with schools, districts, county offices and other education stakeholders to offer hands-on Technical Assistance.

What to visit OIHS? Our next Open House is scheduled for October 21st, 2025. To register, please complete this form . The Open House is free of charge.

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 and serve as policy advisors and on a variety of policy-related task forces throughout California.

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 next Open House will be held on

Tuesday, October 21st, from 9:00-4:00

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 outside of the classroom?

Contact Lauren Markham: lauren.markham@ousd.org

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