While most everyone values high-quality public education, many don’t realize how little traditional public-school financing actually funds at our schools. Our district receives $10,821 annually per student, which is less than neighboring public-school districts and far less than the $20,000 or more private-schools receive per student from tuition.
Student Shortfall
Sourced from EdData
Expenditure per Pupil 2022/2023
Percentage Free/Reduced Price Meal 2022/2023
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Despite being the world's fifth-largest economy, California consistently ranks near the bottom in per-pupil funding, placing 44th nationally. This underfunding has led to larger class sizes, with California having among the highest student-to-teacher ratios in the country. Additionally, the state faces significant challenges such as rising pension costs and declining enrollment, further straining school budgets. Evolve CaliforniaCalifornia Budget and Policy Centercaljustice.org
In our district, these financial constraints have historically led us to prioritize classroom education over facilities maintenance, resulting in deferred upkeep and delayed capital projects. However, we recognize the critical importance of outdoor learning environments in fostering student well-being and academic growth. Therefore, we are committed to enhancing our outdoor spaces, including playgrounds and nature-based learning areas, to provide enriching experiences for our students. Given the limited state funding, we are actively seeking private support to bring these vital projects to fruition.
For over 150 years, the Hope Elementary School District has been devoted to providing a small, independent, and high-quality public education for elementary children in our community. The remarkable engagement of our families, generosity of our supporters, and dedication of our educators make the educational experience at Hope truly exceptional.
Our steadfast belief in quality is evident in many ways—from the community’s approval of Measure L in 2010, which funded new buildings, technology, and energy efficiency initiatives, to the passage of Measure J in 2020, which provided $47.4 million in bonds for modernizing and enhancing our schools. Most recently, Measure Y, passed in 2022, renewed essential funding to maintain academic excellence, support student services, and retain highly qualified teachers. While these bonds primarily enhance our indoor spaces, we are also committed to funding initiatives that will enrich and expand our outdoor learning environments, recognizing their vital role in providing all students with well-rounded educational experiences.