In 1998, we set out to open and operate small, high-quality charter schools in low-income neighborhoods in order to increase the academic performance of underserved students, develop effective educators, share successful practices with other forward-thinking educators, and catalyze change in public schools nationwide. Nearly twenty years later, our focus remains the same. Our schools are free, public schools serving grades TK-12 with a clear focus on College For Certain, even for our youngest scholars. Aspire currently operates 36 schools across three California regions (Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and the Central Valley).