Korematsu, Fred T. Discovery Academy
10315 E St.
Oakland, CA 94603 (Map & Directions)
510-879-2795
Charles Wilson, Principal
charles.wilson@ousd.k12.ca.us
The Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy (KDA) is the realization of the hopes and hard work of the community previously served by Stonehurst Elementary. Located in East Oakland, our school’s students represent the changing face of our community; roughly 50% of our students are Latino / Latina Americans, while 50% of our students are African Americans. More than 85% of our students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Historically, this community has been denied access to the knowledge and language necessary for academic success; our mission is to ensure that our students are prepared to participate fully in the academic and information-based discourses of higher education and the larger economy.
We take our spirit from our namesake, Fred T. Korematsu, an Oakland resident who attended Stonehurst. Mr. Korematsu resisted the U.S. Federal government’s discriminatory plan to imprison all Japanese Americans during World War II, and in 1998 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Former President Clinton praised Korematsu at the ceremony, stating that "in the long history of our country's constant search for justice, some names of ordinary citizens stand for millions of souls — Plessy, Brown, Parks. To that distinguished list today we add the name of Fred Korematsu." We carry on Mr. Korematsu’s determination to stand up for what is just and right.
Our school is based on the following beliefs:
• All of our students, faculty, staff, and community members engage in the inquiry process; we look for the answers to our questions together.
• Diversity of culture and language is an asset.
• Equity means access for all.
• Positive family involvement improves student achievement and self-esteem.
• All students have the ability to succeed academically, creatively and physically.
• Students are naturally inquisitive and learn best by doing.
• Effective teaching is strengthened by opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
• School governance is most effective when all stakeholders have a voice in decision-making.
• The entire community benefits when everyone is involved in improving and protecting our local environment.
At KDA, scientific inquiry is the center of all of our work. Through hands-on learning opportunities, our students and teachers connect learning in all academic areas as they work to challenge their understanding and deepen their skills and knowledge. Our students are:
• Empowered
• Academically Literate in all Subject Areas
• Higher-order and Scientific Thinkers
• Personally and Socially Responsible
• Lifelong Learners and Innovators
We offer reduced class sizes at all grade levels, and our classes are flexibly grouped in order to address the immediate needs of individual students in each academic content area. Our staff collaborates each day, planning units of study, assessing student progress, providing interventions and challenges to advance each student’s academic and personal growth. Our students’ progress is measured on frequent curriculum-embedded and benchmark assessments, as well as large-scale standardized assessments. Most meaningfully, our students share their knowledge and skills with the community through authentic performances and presentations, and are prepared to address questions as they deepen their own inquiry.
We provide our teachers and staff with the training and time needed to improve and make possible meaningful professional collaboration. By treating our teachers and staff as professionals who deserve to be compensated fairly for their work, we strive to create a sustainable culture. We are always looking for grants and resources that will allow us to strengthen our learning community.
KDA is always looking to increase our students’ access to the technological tools that will assist them in the ways they uncover and organize information as they engage in the inquiry process. The “digital divide” that separates our community from the information economy can only be addressed by providing our students with the access and training needed to use information technology. We are always looking for opportunities to increase our community’s access to meaningful and sustainable technology.