A School Founder’s History: Malka Borrego, Equitas Academy Charter Schools

Courtesy of The 74 Million
https://www.the74million.org/

Transcript

Malka Borrego, a third-generation Pico Union resident, experienced a high-quality education through a parochial school but recognized the lack of such opportunities for many in her community. After teaching in the public school system and working in nonprofits, she founded Equitas Academy Charter Schools to provide excellent education to Pico Union students. Borrego incorporated best practices from top charter schools across the U.S., including a longer school day and smaller literacy groups, and saw significant academic success among students of color. She emphasized strong parent partnerships and individualized community engagement to enhance the school’s impact.

Outline

Growing Up in Pico Union and Early Education

• Malka Borrego shares their background, mentioning they grew up in Pico Union, west of downtown Los Angeles, and are a third-generation resident.
• They attended a parochial school, which was not public, and received a great education, enabling them to attend a fantastic college.
• Malka Borrego notes that many of their cousins and neighbors did not have the same educational opportunities due to bussing and the lack of quality public schools in Pico Union.
• They returned to Pico Union after college and became a second-grade teacher in the public school system, gaining firsthand experience of public education in their community.

Transition to Nonprofit and Charter Schools

• Malka Borrego discusses their transition to the nonprofit sector and their interest in charter schools as a way to bring quality education back to their neighborhood.
• They combined their teaching and nonprofit experience to design a charter school that would provide educational opportunities for the Pico Union community.
• Malka Borrego received a fellowship through Building Excellent Schools, which allowed them to travel across the country and learn from high-performing charter schools.
• They spent a year in a residency at Uncommon Leadership Prep in Bed Stuy, taking best practices from various schools to implement in their own community.

Implementing Best Practices from Other Schools

• SMalka Borrego highlights the specific practices they brought back to their charter school, such as a longer school day and smaller group sizes for literacy.
• They emphasized the importance of celebrating learning from kindergarten onwards, creating a joyful and active learning environment.
• The structured components and joyful celebrations were successfully implemented at Equitas, leading to positive academic outcomes for students of color.
• Malka Borrego notes that their Latino students were performing on par with or outperforming white students in the state, indicating the effectiveness of their practices.

Community Engagement and Parent Partnerships

• Malka Borrego stresses the importance of community needs and strong parent partnerships in their school model.
• They invite parents to participate in 40 hours of activities per year, including parent-teacher conferences and family nights.
• The school encourages individualized participation, allowing parents to contribute in ways that fit their schedules and abilities.
• Malka Borrego mentions specific examples of parent involvement, such as helping with classroom materials at home, highlighting the community’s commitment to the school’s success.

Maximizing Time with Students

• Malka Borrego concludes by discussing the importance of maximizing every minute with students, emphasizing structured components in their educational model.
• They believe that thoughtful use of time can significantly impact student learning and achievement.
• The school’s practices are designed to ensure that every student receives the best possible education, regardless of their background.
• Malka Borrego reiterates their commitment to the Pico Union community and their dedication to providing high-quality educational opportunities for all students.