Sunrise Middle School

Sunrise Middle School is a small charter school serving 150 educationally and economically at-risk Latino students in Central San Jose. Its mission is to provide a holistic, meaningful and stimulating alternative to mainstream education that prepares students to succeed in high school, college, and life. It uses computer adaptive assessment to develop knowledge profiles of the students which are used by teachers, tutors, and mentors to customize instruction to target the academic needs of each child. The school’s problem-based and hands-on learning approach helps students develop their teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Sunrise offers after-school and summer-camp programs that encourage learning and outdoor exploration, while teaching math and literacy skills. The school’s environment, including a family atmosphere and daily meditation provides a safe haven for students who live in the surrounding neighborhoods.