In this episode of Rising from the Margins, we travel to Rocklin Academy, a charter school in Northern California, to explore the transformative power of the Community Engagement Initiative (CEI). As Rocklin Academy has grown, school leaders, educators, and families have had to redefine what community engagement truly means—not just as an external effort, but as a deep, intentional connection between students, families, and staff.
From shifting the way parent-teacher conferences are held to empowering students with leadership opportunities, Rocklin Academy is making simple but profound changes that are fostering trust, inclusivity, and belonging across its school community.
What You’ll Hear
- Building Trust Through Vulnerability: Rocklin leaders share their journey of embracing open communication and allowing families to ask tough questions.
- Parent Partnership in Action: How CEI’s framework helped Rocklin transition from transactional to transformational family engagement.
- Elevating Student Voice:The creation of the Student Impact Committee and how students are leading change on campus.
- Strategic Shifts in Communication: From personalized letters home to two-way coffee chats, Rocklin is making engagement meaningful.
Key Highlights
- Rethinking Parent-Teacher Conferences – Shifting the focus from grades to whole-child discussions that deepen parent-teacher relationships.
- Two-Way Communication – Simple shifts in communication practices—like positive calls home and parent listening sessions—are making families feel valued and heard.
- Student-Led Change – Middle school students are identifying challenges, proposing solutions, and leading initiatives to improve their school experience.
- Collaborating Beyond School Walls – Learning from other CEI districts has helped Rocklin refine its engagement strategies.
Why It Matters
This episode highlights how small, intentional shifts in communication and engagement can build a stronger, more connected school community. Rocklin Academy’s approach to CEI demonstrates that belonging doesn’t just happen. It must be cultivated through trust, dialogue, and shared decision-making.
Listen Now
🎧Tune in to Rising from the Margins: Season 2 Episode 1 to hear how Rocklin Academy is redefining family engagement and strengthening school-community connections.