At Lighthouse Community Public Schools we are deeply committed to transforming the landscape of education. We are dedicated to serving a student population that has been historically underserved by the traditional school system in Oakland. We know that an exceptional education brings out each child’s unique light and potential, but that inequity in our public schools severely limits the potential of our students, their families, and the future of Oakland.

The mission of Lighthouse Community Public Schools is to prepare a diverse K-12 student population for college and a career of their choice.

We believe that all young people have the potential to become lifelong changemakers who realize their unique vision—rooted in their identity, knowledge, and skills—to create equity in their own lives and in the community, leading to a healthier, more joyful world. We are an innovative model for public education that puts each child at the center of their own learning. The Lighthouse community is equal parts love and rigor where children discover their unique light within.

• Community: We are best when we respect, value and celebrate our diversity and strengthen our connections.
• Integrity: We act on our shared and personal values, especially in the face of adversity.
• Love: We extend ourselves so that all feel a sense of belonging and acceptance.
• Social justice: We act with courage and commitment to move toward a just and equitable world.
• Agency: We are empowered to pursue purposeful action as life-long changemakers.

Theory of Change (pdf)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Pillars (pdf)

Graduate Profile (pdf)

Founded in 2002 by a small, committed group of teachers and parents and 92 Kindergarten and 6th graders, Lighthouse has grown. Today we operate two high-achieving K-12 public charter schools serving over 1,600 students in East Oakland. Lighthouse Community Public Schools (LCPS) provide a free, public option for students and their families.

Our original school, Lighthouse, is two contiguous schools, one serving grades K – 8 and the other serving grades 9 – 12. Lighthouse’s sister school, Lodestar, opened in Fall 2016 and serves K-12 students in the Sobrante Park neighborhood of East Oakland.

LCPS is a beacon for public education and our graduates fulfill the promise of a better, brighter tomorrow. Here are some outcomes we are proud of:

• More than 85% of our students meet the A-G requirements needed to apply to a UC or CSU
• More than 86% of our graduates are accepted to 4-year colleges year after year, including 90% of our African American Seniors
• 40% of alumni are graduating from college, 4x the national average for our student demographic
• Over 90% of students return to LCPS schools year over year
• Each year 30+ students are awarded scholarships from Oakland Promise ranging in value from $2,000 – $16,000

Some of our awards and accolades:

• Lighthouse Founder, Jenna Stauffer, was honored with a 2022 California Charter Legacy Award
• CORE 2019 Academic Growth Awards for Lighthouse and Lodestar — honors schools across CA with the greatest impact on student achievement
• Lighthouse named a 2017-18 Learning Exemplar Partnership for 21st Century Learning, Washington DC
• Innovate Public Schools named Lighthouse the top-performing high school for low-income Latino students in the Bay Area in 2016
• Lighthouse has been named a TFA School to Learn From
• Lighthouse was named the Hart Vision Charter School of the Year in 2013

Read more in our Impact Reports.

With support from a grant from John Hopkins University and a Strong Workforce Grant from the California State Department of Education, and our partnership with Peralta Community College District, all 10-12th grade students at Lighthouse and Lodestar will be eligible to graduate with community college credit while meeting their A-G requirements.  They can also earn a certificate in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship to complement their Career and Technical Education Pathway courses in high school.  Learn more by watching two brief videos highlighting our Measure N-funded Career Pathways.

“I’m excited about the Strong Workforce grant because it will help make sure more of our students get a taste of college before they even leave high school. Students in our Business Academy will also have access to paid internships and other valuable work-based learning opportunities like job shadowing and mentorship. We’re not just adding classes to our school program, we’re adding life-changing experiences.” – Joshua Weintraub, Director of College and Career Success