Our corps members will be stepping into the education landscape in California at an important time in district, state, and community reform efforts.
California Capital Valley at a Glance
Historic Avenal Theater
photo by: Armona (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons
Cesar Chavez speaking at a 1974 United Farm Workers rally in Delano, California.
photo by: Joel Levine, via Wikimedia Commons
Aerial view of the California Aqueduct.
photo by: Ikluft (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons
California's State Capitol Building
photo by: Sascha Brück (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons
Downtown Stockton's waterfront.
photo by: LPS.1 (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons
Get to Know Our Communities
Avenal the “The Oasis in the Sun,” located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, is nestled in the Southern Valley Yokut plains also known as the South San Joaquin Valley. Agriculture is the biggest industry in Avenal. Avenal hosts a farmers market every Saturday until September. The Avenal Theatre and Floyd Rice Park where the Avenal Recreation Center is located, is just off of Skyline Blvd.
Population & Schools
Avenal is a diverse community with over 70 percent of residents identifying as Latinx/Hispanic. Avenal has a total of nine schools in its district, including West Hills College Coalinga, located in Coalinga, about 18 miles northwest of Avenal.
- 3 Elementary schools
- 1 Middle school
- 1 High school
- 2 Continuation schools
- 1 Adult school
Things To Do
- Avenal has many parks that are ADA accessible and are equipped with grills, parking, restrooms, tables, a playground, a basketball court, picnic tables and shelters, water, etc.
- Community Events at Floyd Rice Park include: Movie night under the Stars, Kids Day, Concerts, Day of the Family, Safe & Sane Halloween
- Avenal Sports Complex (recreational soccer fields, two softball diamonds, three pavilions, playground equipment, an exercise course, horseshoe pits, restrooms, and a concession stand. It is utilized for tournaments, clinics, sports programs, the annual Fireworks Show, and private parties. This facility is ADA accessible.)
- Avenal Theater
- Recreation Center
- Avenal Museum
- Library
- Local restaurants
Delano has a rich history of farm worker organizing and was the hub of the Chicana/Chicano political movement in the 1950s and 60s. Labor strikes led by Cesar Chavez and others laid the groundwork for agricultural workers rights for decades to come. Today, 38 percent of Avenal residents are occupied in agriculture which ranks Delano in the top 101 cities with the most people employed in agriculture.
Population & Schools
Delano has a diverse population where 76 percent of its residents speak a language other than English at home. Over 70 percent of residents identify as Latinx/Hispanic.
Delano has two school districts, which operate the following schools:
- 8 Elementary schools
- 3 Middle schools
- 3 Comprehensive high schools
- 2 Alternative high schools
Things To Do:
Delano's rich cultural heritage and community pride are displayed at the many annual events including:
- Cinco De Mayo Fiesta (May)
- Philippine Weekend (July)
- September 16th Celebration
- Harvest Holidays (October)
- Annual Christmas Parade
- Delano offers a variety of youth activities including:
- Soccer, Swimming
- Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball
- Summer Sports and Activity Academy
Delano offers a variety of youth activities including:
- Soccer, Swimming
- Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball
- Summer Sports and Activity Academy
Lost Hills is in the east bank of the California Aqueduct and near the I-5 interstate. Lost Hills is a small town of approximately 2,500 people. The city has been undergoing many structural changes as has added elements of infrastructure, a community park, a new school, and housing developments.
Population & Schools
The community of Lost Hills is over 95 percent Latinx/Hispanic. Lost Hills has two schools in its district:
- Lost Hills Elementary School
- A.M. Thomas Middle School.
For high school, most students go to the neighboring town of Wasco and attend Wasco Union High School.
Things To Do
- Lost Hills Park
- Carrizo Plain National Monument
- Bakersfield Escape Room
- Buttonwillow Raceway Park
Known as “The City of Trees” and our capital city, Sacramento is one of the fastest growing regions in the United States. Government and transportation are the largest sectors of employment in the area. Agriculture and mining—while still important in the region—have been surpassed by information, technology service, leisure, and hospitality, education, health service, and construction.
Population & Schools
Roughly 62 percent of Sacramento residents identify as people of color. In Sacramento only 37 percent of our children read on grade level by the end of the third grade. Twenty-two percent of our residents are on or below the poverty line.
Things To Do
- Visit one of the many art or history museums Sacramento has to offer
- Visit Sutter’s Fort
- Sacramento Zoo
- Tour the State Capitol
- Cheer on the Sacramento Kings, our NBA team
- Go to a Sac Republic Soccer game
- Explore any of the parks in the city
- Attend the vibrant social scene at Second Saturdays
“California’s Sunrise Seaport” Stockton is one of the richest agricultural and dairy regions in California. Although Stockton is surrounded by farms and vineyards, it is currently the 13th largest city in California with a population of more than 290,000 residents. Stockton is just a drive away from many of California’s attractions. San Francisco, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, and numerous bodies of water are just a short drive away. U.S. News ranked Stockton as #98 of the top metro areas to live in the United States.
Population & Schools
The majority of Stockton’s residents identify as people of color, with roughly 40 percent Latinx/Hispanic, 23 percent AAPI, 12 percent African-American, and 1 percent American Indian or Alaska Native.
Things To Do:
- Stockton’s World-Famous Asparagus Festival
- The historic Bob Hope Theatre (formerly Fox Theatre) in downtown Stockton
- Visit many of Stockton’s museums
- Micke Grove Zoo
- Japanese Garden