St. HOPE: Home
Let’s Read Oak Park
Underground Books
Presented by St. HOPE, Let’s Read Oak Park is an enriching event designed for elementary school-aged children to explore books and participate in hands-on activities with a focus on cultural themes. In honor of Native American Heritage Month this November, students will engage in an interactive book reading that highlight the rich histories, traditions, and stories of Native American cultures.
Author Talk Featuring Suzette Harrison
Underground Books
Award-winning author is a wife and mother who holds a culinary degree in pastry and baking, and is currently cooking up her next novel.
Author Talk with Dr. Mia Settles-Tidwell
Underground Books
Dr. Mia Settles-Tidwell is the founder and President/CEO of Set-Up for Success, a leading educational consulting agency.
Author Talk with Kerri Harper-Howie
Underground Books
Join for a conversation with an entrepreneur, lawyer, author, and public speaker
Special Movie Screening of “Albany Road”
Guild Theater
The Guild Theater is thrilled to be among the select venues premiering the public debut of Albany Road, the film that recently won Best Feature Film at the 2024 Oak Park Black Film Festival.
Directed by Christine Swanson, Albany Road follows Celeste (Renée Elise Goldsberry) as she prepares for an important work trip, only to find herself sharing a car with her ex-fiancé’s mother, Paula (Lynn Whitfield). As the journey unfolds, Celeste discovers Paula is hiding a significant secret, leading to a poignant exploration of family dynamics and personal growth.
Free Family Movie Matinee
Guild Theater
Get into the holiday spirit with a free family movie event! Join us at the Guild Theater on Sunday, December 1, at 2:00 PM for a special screening of Candy Cane Lane, starring Eddie Murphy. This fun-filled holiday movie will bring laughter, joy, and plenty of holiday cheer to the whole family. Grab your loved ones, bring some cozy blankets, and settle in for an afternoon of festive fun!
Admission is free, and all ages are welcome! Register Now!
Shop Talk Lately Feat. Keith Powers
Guild Theater
Shop Talk Lately is a live, community-centered discussion series hosted by entrepreneur Sebastian Jackson, designed to blend barbershop culture with engaging conversations among cultural icons and innovators. Held in intimate theaters across the U.S., the show combines entertainment, audience participation, and stories of resilience to empower and unite communities, especially the Black community. This installment features actor and model Keith Powers, known for his roles in Straight Outta Compton, The New Edition Story, and Uglies.
Christmas at 40 Acres
St. HOPE Academy
Join us for Christmas at 40 Acres on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 11 AM! Hosted by St. HOPE Academy at the 40 Acres Complex, this festive event features Underground Books, Guild Theater, Fixins Soul Kitchen, Old Soul Co., and World Class Faders Barbershop.
Bring the whole family for a day of holiday cheer and activities. Enjoy free photos with Santa at Underground Books, face painting, cookie decorating, and hot cocoa for the kids.
Join the community for a joyful celebration of the season in the heart of Oak Park. We can’t wait to see you there!
TUTTI FRUTTI: A Tribute to Little Richard Concert
Guild Theater
The Guild Theater presents Remembering Richard, a 60-minute concert show featuring Dedrick Weathersby as Little Richard. This production, created by the team behind Remembering James Brown, celebrates the life and music of Little Richard, focusing on his reign from 1949-1957 as the “Architect and King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Fans of the award-winning Remembering James show will enjoy this tribute to Richard Wayne Penniman’s enduring musical legacy.
St. HOPE Academy Founded by Kevin Johnson
July 1989
St. HOPE began in 1989 as an afterschool program in a portable classroom at Sacramento High School
After 13 years, St. HOPE realized that an after school program simply wasn’t enough to dramatically improve the academic outcomes of children, that it would be necessary to establish and run our own schools.
In 2003, St. HOPE Public Schools was founded as a preK-12 independent charter school district that provides high-quality education to nearly 2,000 students.
St. HOPE Facility Grand Opening
January 1992
7,000 square foot facility opening at 4101 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
40 acres Art & Cultural Center Grand Opening
May 2003
St. HOPE’s largest economic development project opened with Underground Books, Uncle Jed’s Cut Hut, Starbucks and the Guild Theater.
40 Acres is the jewel of the SHDC efforts in the Oak Park community. The building was the historic Woodruff Hotel which was build in 1922 and was renovated by St. HOPE Development company in 2003.
The 23,000 sq. ft. mixed use facility includes:
- Guild Theater
- Underground Books
- Old Soul Coffee House
- Coopers Wine Bar
- Upper Room Apartments
Hundreds attend the Oak Park Black Film Festival
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Oak Park Black Film Festival this year! The six-day event showcased an outstanding lineup of independent feature, documentary, and short films by African-American filmmakers and was a huge success.
We were delighted to have different moderators each day who facilitated fascinating discussions with the filmmakers. You can read more about the Film Festival in the Sacramento Observer: Oak Park Festival Provides Black Filmmakers A Too Rare Showcase.
Sac High Students Paint Mural and Raise Money for Cancer Research
Sac High Scholars recently completed two great projects. Under the leadership of artist Erica Thomas, 20 scholars helped paint a mural of Sac High’s logo and Dragon mascot. For the campus beautification project, the scholars chose the theme “Forging the Future” and enjoyed unleashing their creativity and participating in a fun artistic project that scholars will enjoy for years to come.
Join Us for Engaging Authors Talks at Underground Books
Author Talk with Kerri Harper-Howie
Thursday, November 21, 2024 – 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Kerri is an entrepreneur, lawyer, author, public speaker and author of The Family Secret: The Business and Franchise Owner’s Guide to Building Generational Wealth. She combines her legal expertise with practical business acumen, offering a unique perspective on workplace issues, business operations, succession planning and fostering family-like workplaces.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Terrell Thompson, Class of 2020
Terrell Thompson is a proud Sac High alum, graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Business, and a member of the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Currently, he is doing B tech consulting at Ernst and Young in San Francisco.
Empowering Our Community: Vote, Engage, Inspire!
President's Message - 10.29.2024
The November election is just a few days away and I hope that all eligible voters are making a plan to vote! For Sacramento County, it’s not too late to vote. You can go to any Vote Center up through November 5th and cast your vote. Your vote is your voice.
Sac High and PS7 Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
St. HOPE is pleased to help bring Hispanic Heritage Month to life through community partnerships at each of the St. HOPE Public School sites. The school-wide celebration spanning from September 15-October 15 immerses Tk-12th grade scholars in Latinx art, dance, literacy, and cooking events. These engaging activities help expose scholars to generations of Hispanic trailblazers who made U.S. history and celebrate the history, traditions, and vibrant culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Cherise Jones, Class of 2007
Cherise Jones believes so much in St. HOPE Public Schools’ innovative education model that she is both a Sac High alumni and a proud staff member. After Cherise graduated from Sac High she attended San Jose State University and then she worked at St. HOPE Public Schools in the special education department for four years.
3rd Annual Black Film Festival Returns to Oak Park
We are thrilled that the Oak Park Black Film Festival is returning to for the third year. From Tuesday, October 8 through Sunday, October 13, the greater Sacramento community is invited to enjoy and experience African-American stories and history through cinema. The six-day event will showcase independent feature, documentary, and short films by African-American filmmakers, along with panel discussions and exclusive events. We are excited to have different moderators for each day of the film festival including several local reporters.
St. HOPE Charters Unanimously Approved
President's Message - 9.23.24
The line “it takes a village” has never been more true as our community rallied behind PS7 and Sacramento Charter High School to express their support for the schools. I’m thrilled to report that the Sacramento City Unified School Board voted unanimously on September 19 to renew the charters for both schools for another 5-year term (until June 30, 2030). I am incredibly grateful for all the support that the schools received and that they can continue focusing on educating scholars and sending them to and through college.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: E’Myiah Morris, Class of 2024
E’Myiah Morris says St. HOPE Public Schools feels like family as she started at PS7 Elementary in third grade and graduated from Sac High in 2024. She credits the schools’ college going culture for putting her on the path to higher education and is excited that she is now attending Northern Arizona University.
New Addition to the Oak Park Black Film Festival
The 2024 Oak Park Black Film Festival kicks off in October with the addition of a local filmmakers day.
A limited number of VIP All-Access Passes are on sale now with Daily Passes available for purchase in the near future.
The Oak Park Black Film Festival is a celebration of African-American stories and history through cinema showcasing independent features, documentaries and short films by African-American filmmakers.
Author Talk with Sheryl Grant at Underground Books on Sept. 4
We hope you can Join us for the Author Talk with Sheryl Grant at Underground Books on Wednesday, September 4 from 6 – 7:30pm. It will be an exciting evening filled with insightful discussions, book signings, and a chance to meet the talented author herself.
St. HOPE Public Schools Up for Charter Renewal
Many of you may know that PS7 and Sac High are working with the Sacramento City Unified School District to renew their charters so they can continue operating as public charter schools. Both schools serve a high percentage of African American, Hispanic/Latino and low income students and for over 20 years they have been successfully closing the opportunity gap. The SCUSD Board of Education will be voting on the charter renewals on September 19. Below is information from Cassandra Jennings about her changing role at St. HOPE Public Schools:
Off to an Exciting Start
President's Message - 8.26.24
Happy back to school! We are thrilled to report that all of our PS7 Elementary scholars and staff started the school year in new brand classrooms at our renovated campus on Strawberry Lane. Here is a wonderful video from the first day of school where you can see the modernized campus.
Looking for an Office in Oak Park?
Come join the movement, by bringing your business to Oak Park.
St. HOPE has an office vacancy in a charming Victorian commercial property that offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern convenience. Spanning 763 square feet, this space is ideal space for a professional office.
More than just a rental space, this office is an opportunity to become a part of Sacramento’s rich history while growing your business in a thriving community. Don’t miss out on the chance to make this unique space your own!
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Samantha (Santi) Gunderson, Class of 2011
Samantha (Santi) Gunderson is a proud third-generation Sac High graduate. Growing up in an environment where both staff and students shared a collective goal—to strive for betterment for themselves and each other—Santi found herself surrounded by a culture deeply rooted in academic excellence. At Sac High, the expectation that students would continue their education beyond graduation was woven into the school’s culture.
Oak Park Speaker Series Features Award Winning Actor Jay Ellis
Join us for the next Oak Park Speaker Series at the Guild Theater on August 19 for an exciting evening with Award Winning Actor Jay Ellis as he discusses his new book “Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?“.
Now Enrolling for the 2024-25 School Year: Join Our St. HOPE Public Schools Family
Enrollment is underway as we gear up for the 2024-25 school year! Our schools are excited for some new features and returning favorites. Our BRAND NEW PS7 Elementary campus is well under way with new rooms being finished every day. PS7 Middle School is adding new athletic programs this upcoming school year to support scholars in exploring their passions. Sac High is expanding the Dual Enrollment program to serve EVERY grade level – Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors AND Seniors.
A Year of Highlights & Preparing for a Special Guest
President's Message - 7.16.24
I hope that you all are having a good summer and are staying cool as we weather the hot temperatures. We wrapped up a fantastic school year at PS7 and Sac High – please check out our 2023-24 highlights video that features our scholars’ successes and showcases our schools’ innovative and exciting programs.
Sacramento’s Juneteenth events feature The 1619 Project creator at Oak Park’s Guild Theater
With Juneteenth this week Sacramento has parties, marches and more in celebration.
This Wednesday, the California Black Agricultural Working Group will host a celebration at the Capitol State Park as well as a resource fair. People are invited to “experience our unique California Journey from Slavery to Freedom here in the Great State of California,” according to the organization’s flyer.