In 2002, I met Brent Kastenbaum. He was a senior at Santa Monica High School and had heard of Aspire Public Schools. Brent declared to me that someday, he wanted to start an Aspire school. He went on to be a college freshman at UC Berkeley, and volunteered at Wilson Prep. > > >

In 2004-2005, all 10 Aspire schools far exceeded their state mandated API targets. The average growth for all schools was nearly 50 points, surpassing Aspire schools average state growth target by more than 8 times. In comparison, the average growth statewide was 20 API points. Aspire's highlights include API point gains of nearly 70 by Wilson Prep in Oakland, River Oaks Charter Academy in Stockton, and Capitol Heights Academy in Sacramento. > > >

In mid-October, Aspire received word that the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF) granted Aspire with a $2.5 million multi-year gift for Los Angeles development. The grant will cover the support for a Regional Office in Los Angeles, as well as the scaling up of new schools as they open. > > >

This year, Aspire opened four new schools, adding nearly 700 new students to the Aspire network - a growth of over 20 percent. Aspire now has 14 schools serving over 4,000 students, many who will be the first in their families to attend college. > > >

Maribel Galan, head of Aspire's new elementary school in Los Angeles, is one of the new principals on the Aspire team. Being raised in Huntington Park has given Galan a unique perspective to her role as principal. The Aspire Works editors sat down with Galan to ask her about breaking ground in a new market for Aspire, and how it feels to be working in her old stomping grounds. > > >

"A school is like any other organization," says Monica Plageman, a Lead Teacher at Aspire's latest Stockton school campus, "When you launch new ships, you need experience at the helm." Fortunately for the 160 students at the new elementary school, Monica Plageman has taken such a leadership position, drawing from unlikely experiences to guide her from being an educator to her new position as Lead Teacher. > > >

Every year, Aspire hires an independent outside company to conduct its annual stakeholder surveys of teammates, parents, and students. Aspire's Board of Directors, management team and staff analyzes the survey results closely and takes to heart the feedback from families in our schools. The feedback is then used to identify strengths and areas for further development at each school as well as for the entire organization. > > >

In late October, Aspire's Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy held its first college fair, held in partnership with The College Board, College Summit, Hire and Higher, College Track, BPH Mortgage, Jerry Hamilton Photography. The fair allowed students to meet with college representatives from over 20 prestigious local and national universities, gather information about potential schools, and have a face-to-face conversation with admissions representatives. > > >