For two decades, Gateway Community Charters (GCC) has supported Sacramento area students, parents and the community with high-quality, standards-based education options. With nine charter schools and over 5,700 students, GCC has been a consistent hub for community partnerships, collaboration and innovation.

“We create programs that meet the needs of the community,” says Morri Elliott, executive director of educational programs. Many of those programs are focused on workforce development through Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways.

Five high schools across GCC offer 15 CTE pathways for students, which is expected to expand over the next decade. Students have the opportunity to gain college credits while exploring careers in focused industries like construction, agriculture, science, technology and the performing arts. As the Sacramento region and California shift to carbon neutrality, GCC hopes to prepare students for new workforce demands.

We believe the charter school option is a civil right and that every student should have the ability to access high-quality educational programs. — Morri Elliott

Executive Director of Educational Programs

Last week, Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy (SAVA), a charter school of GCC, announced the launch of the first electric vehicle lowrider conversion project. In December, with funding through the K-12 Strong Workforce Program grant, SAVA purchased a 1964 Chevrolet Impala for students to convert into an electric vehicle for hands-on experience to bridge the gap between textbooks and real-world experiences.

“When you bring that hands-on learning to life, the core academics tie right into it,” Elliott says. “Students often come to our schools disengaged and these opportunities re-engage them in education. We are trying to bring real-world relevance to core academics. If you are in a classroom and struggle learning from a textbook, you can learn when you apply it hands-on.”

Looking ahead at the next 20 years, Elliott is confident GCC will continue to create new programs to meet the needs of students in the Sacramento region. “We will continue serving students and building career pathways focusing on clean energy and other developing industries,” he says.