Charitable initiative by agribusiness leader: Providing opportunities - to offspring of employees
In Layman's Terms:
Title: From Fam-Work to Diploma: The Wonderful College Prep Academy in Lost Hills, California
In the sleepy town of Lost Hills, California, farm work is the norm, but it doesn't pay much. The local charter school, Wonderful College Prep Academy, aims to change that narrative. Founded by Lynda Resnick and her husband, who own a massive agricultural conglomerate, the $29 million campus offers K-8 education with a twist - a second track for students interested in a career in agriculture.
The school is all about college. Banners for prestigious universities adorn the halls, and the curriculum is designed to prepare students for college. But it's not just about academics. They also focus on teaching good eating habits, with healthy food from their very own learning farm gracing the school cafeteria.
Lynda Resnick, a philanthropist and owner of The Wonderful Company, believes education is crucial for changing the paradigm of poverty in the Central Valley. The company is one of the region's largest employers, and many of the workers are paid only the state's minimum wage. To address this, the company raised its minimum wage to $15 an hour for full-time employees it hires directly.
However, not everyone is happy. In December 2018, 1,800 Wonderful workers launched a strike after a contractor reduced bin rates for mandarin oranges. But despite these disputes, the school continues to thrive, with nearly 99% of its students being Latino and almost 35% of them being children of Wonderful employees.
The school's agricultural program is a four-year college pathway, ending in an associate's degree in an agricultural field. After graduation, the company offers students a one-year work fellowship with a guaranteed income of $35,000. The company's ambitious goal is to fill the skills gap in agriculture as it becomes more technologically advanced.
Some argue that it's risky for a single company to run a school. However, the school also collaborates with other partners across the Central Valley, serving nearly 117,000 students in 165 schools. The school's college success rates are impressive - 82% of graduates go to a four-year college, and 70% of them finish and earn a degree, far exceeding national averages.
However, there are challenges. Some parents struggle to understand the importance of healthy eating habits, and students may resist a shift away from their traditional Mexican-inspired meals. But things are gradually changing, with students asking for healthier food options. The school also engages parents, many of whom have limited English, through a 10-week, school-based program.
Despite some opposition, The Wonderful College Prep Academy is making a significant impact in Lost Hills, offering students a chance to break the cycle of poverty through education and a career in agriculture.
[1] The Wonderful College Prep Academy: https://www.tcppa.org/[2] Loyola Marymount University’s Teacher Residency: https://www.lmu.edu/education/teacher-residency[3] Wonderful College Prep Academy's College Trips: https://www.edsource.org/2019/why-this-charter-school-sent-7th-graders-on-college-campus-tours-for-free/619308[4] The Importance of College Education for Economic Mobility: https://www.brookings.edu/research/dollars-and-cents-understanding-the-economic-benefits-and-costs-of-a-college-degree/
- Educational opportunities at Wonderful College Prep Academy in Lost Hills extend beyond traditional K-8 education, incorporating a second track for students interested in agriculture, fostering innovative career development.
- The school's focus on college preparation and college-bound curriculum aims to address the cycle of poverty prevalent in the Central Valley, where jobs in agriculture offer low wages.
- Critical to the school's mission is the promotion of personal growth and learning, evident in its efforts to teach good eating habits and healthy food choices, even sourcing from its own learning farm.
- As part of its comprehensive education-and-self-development approach, the school collaborates with various partners across the Central Valley, serving over 117,000 students in 165 schools, furthering its impact on the region.
- The school's unique agricultural program provides students with a four-year pathway to an associate's degree in an agricultural field, accompanied by job-search support and a guaranteed income of $35,000 after graduation.
- Despite facing some challenges in promoting healthy eating habits and adjusting to less traditional food options, the Wonderful College Prep Academy in Lost Hills stands as a beacon for education-induced change, offering students a chance at personal growth, career development, and skill-training in the agriculture field, ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty.
