Napa, CA – In the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, a small city is making waves in the world of education. Delano, a city of just 50,000 people, located at the northern edge of Kern County, is seeing some of its schools soar to new heights—achievements that have caught the attention of educational leaders and researchers across the nation. While Delano may not boast the wealth or resources of elite suburban school districts, its schools are proving that success can thrive even in the most unlikely of places.
This spring, Delano is celebrating significant academic triumphs at both the elementary school district level and at César E. Chávez High School. The California Department of Education recently named Chávez High as a national “distinguished school,” and last month, the Delano Union Elementary School District was recognized by researchers for its remarkable recovery in math and reading scores post-pandemic. The district is among just 100 nationwide to show such notable improvements.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard,” said Superintendent Rosalina Rivera, who expressed immense pride in the recognition. “But I’m extremely proud of our district. It’s an honor to be recognized for our hard work.”
What sets Delano’s schools apart is not just their academic achievements, but the circumstances in which those achievements were realized. The district’s 16 schools serve a predominantly low-income population, with most students being Latino or Filipino. At some schools, nearly half of the students are English learners. These families, who often work in agriculture, are not the type to typically produce high test scores or send their children to Ivy League universities. Many of the students’ parents work long hours in the fields, picking grapes or packing oranges, and most of the students have never ventured beyond the city of Bakersfield, just 40 miles away.
Yet, against the odds, Delano’s students have reached academic milestones that surpass those of their peers in comparable districts. In recent years, Chávez High School students have gained acceptance to prestigious universities such as UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Ivy League schools. Several have also earned competitive Gates Scholarships, further proving the district’s ability to foster success against the backdrop of economic hardship. Some have gone on to become college professors, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
Administrators credit a combination of reforms for the district’s success. A key factor has been the emphasis on teacher collaboration and data-driven instruction. Educators at Delano schools work together to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses, adjusting lessons and interventions to ensure all students are progressing. In addition, the district has invested heavily in providing academic support, including tutoring and counseling, and holds teachers accountable for student learning outcomes.
“The founders of the school (in 2003) wanted to hit it out of the park,” said Justin Derrick, principal of César E. Chávez High School. “They wanted to create a culture where students and staff believe in each other. They didn’t want excuses. They just wanted students to understand their value and know what they could achieve. We still have that culture today.”
The pandemic presented challenges to Delano’s schools, as it did to schools across the nation. The district faced disruptions in learning, attendance issues, and declining test scores, as well as an increase in student anxiety and depression. But despite these challenges, Delano’s schools have managed to recover quickly, and in some cases, even exceed their pre-pandemic performance levels. For instance, at Delano’s elementary schools, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the state’s English language arts standard on the Smarter Balanced test has increased from 43% before the pandemic to more than 47% last year. In math, sixth grade scores have climbed from 27% to 33% during the same period.
Research from Stanford and Harvard also highlighted Delano’s success. The Education Recovery Scorecard, a project that tracks schools’ recovery from the pandemic, listed the Delano Union Elementary School District as one of just 100 nationwide where academic scores have outpaced those from 2019.
At Chávez High School, the graduation rate, attendance rate, and the percentage of students meeting the course requirements for admission to the University of California and California State University all exceed state averages. This outstanding performance earned the school a distinguished school designation from the National Association of Elementary and Secondary Education Act State Program Administrators, an award given to schools where at least 35% of students are low-income and academic achievement is notably high.
In a state where educational disparities are often linked to wealth, race, and geography, Delano’s schools stand as a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and the belief that all students—regardless of their background—can succeed. By focusing on a culture of high expectations, providing necessary support, and fostering strong relationships between teachers and students, Delano has proven that with the right commitment and strategy, even the most marginalized communities can overcome the odds and achieve academic excellence.