Advancing student success

in West Contra Costa public schools

• Leadership, Principals

How Priya Sembi’s Life Story is Changing the Trajectory for Her Students

Michelle Obama Elementary School Principal Priya Sembi’s experience in school shaped the leader she became. Now it’s her students turn to beat the odds.

Priya Sembi first attended school in West Contra Costa Unified. Now her students’ test scores in reading are improving across the board. “We’re not where we want to be, but we are taking one incremental step in the right direction,” she said.

Nystrom Elementary’s implementation of innovative data-driven instruction led to an eight percent leap in state testing literacy scores.

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Our Approach

School Partnerships

Partnering with schools to build strong instructional leadership, curriculum implementation, and data practices that drive lasting gains in student learning.

Talent Pipelines

Building a pipeline of talented, diverse educators and school leaders who help every West Contra Costa public school student succeed.

Informed Community Leadership

Strengthening the systems, information, and community leadership needed to sustain and scale improvement across West Contra Costa public schools.

Featured Initiative

Gratitude Grants Is Moving to a Fall Cycle

Gratitude Grants is moving to a fall cycle for the 2026-27 school year, so West Contra Costa educators can receive their $300 grants earlier in the school year, with more time to use funds for student learning experiences. Applications will open on September 25, 2026, alongside our School Year Kickoff Celebration Happy Hour at RYSE Youth Center, open to our WCC classroom teachers, school staff, school leaders, and community partners. RSVP here.

Questions? Email us at [email protected]

Who We Are

Our foundation team includes experienced educators with a diverse range of professional K-12 experiences that inform our approach to local public school grant making and program support.