Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Leadership Public School different from my other neighborhood schools?

The LPS academic philosophy is founded on three distinguishing characteristics: College Ready Curriculum, College Ready Supports, and a College Ready Culture. The LPS College Ready Curriculum is a UC-approved “A-G curriculum” providing course-eligibility to enter the CSU or UC system. Our goal is that 100% of LPS graduates meet the UC/CSU eligibility requirements in comparison to 35% statewide. 

Our average teacher: student ratio is 15-20% smaller than a typical high school and provides a level of support not usually available to high school students in California. The small class structure is a key component of our College Ready Supports program designed with the goal of knowing “every student by name and need”.

In addition to the cultural supports embedded in the school day, a unique feature of LPS is the LPS Signature Experiences program.  This includes the Freshmen Leadership Retreat and the yearly “Week Without Walls” program. Each LPS campus is infused with a College Going Culture supported by programs such as the four-year Advisory class that provides a venue for building skills in personal reflection, communication and conflict resolution.

What is the mission of Leadership Public Schools?

Our mission is to prepare all of our graduating students to succeed in college and beyond; develop our students into effective community leaders; and partner with school districts to strengthen both ourselves and other public schools.

How many LPS schools are in the Bay Area?

LPS currently operates four public high schools in Richmond, Oakland (College Park), Hayward, and San Jose. 

What does the “Leadership” part of the school mean?

Both the LPS school culture and curriculum focus on building future leaders with the skills, dispositions, and credentials to make a difference in their communities. By fusing academic habits of mind and leadership skills with real-world projects, we place a continued focus on preparing students for the cultural challenges of college and future leadership.

Q: Does LPS have sports teams at the school?

A: This year we will have girls volleyball, boys and girls basketball and soccer, boys baseball, girls softball, and boys and girls track.

Q: What is the dress code?

A: The dress code is khaki or black pants with a collared shirt. No jeans or denim of any color are allowed. Clothing or accessories that are red or blue are not acceptable. Students may earn free dress on Fridays, which is awarded by the Dean of Students.

Q: What happens if you do not come in dress code?

A: If you do not show up in dress code you will have to go home and change or your parents will have to bring you a change of clothes. If you do get sent home for dress code violations you are expected to return to school.

Q: How long are school hours?

A: Students attend school from 8:00 AM- 3:25 PM Monday-Wednesday, and 8:00 AM-2:50 Thursday-Friday.

Q: How many students are accepted each year?

A: At most 130 students are accepted in each freshmen class.  Anyone who applies but is not selected in our lottery will be put on our waitlist.

Q: Can students leave campus for lunch?

A: Our school is a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave the school at any time during the school day without permission from their parents.

Q: Will there be P.E.?

A: Because LPS is a charter school we are not required to have P.E. The Federal Government, however, requires a physical fitness test to be given to all students at the end of their freshman year.

Q: Does our school have band or chorus?

A: Currently we do not have band or chorus but we are looking to expand our extracurricular activities this year by having more collaborations with local community colleges offering these and other programs.

Q: Are there dances?

A: We have several dances throughout the year including homecoming, winter ball, and Proms.

Q: What is the school lunch like?

A: This year we are working with a new company, Revolution Foods, that will provide us with healthier and more natural food choices. For more information you can visit their website: www.revfoods.com

Q: How many students are in each class?

A:  On average we have 25-27 students in each class with one teacher. In advisory, the average is 18 students with one teacher.

Q: What is advisory?

A: An Advisory is like the students’ family on campus. Students are in the same advisory for 4 years and have the same teacher. In advisory, students participate in leadership building activities, SAT prep, and work on their college applications. Advisories are an opportunity for students to get support on aspects of their school life that may not be addressed in their classrooms.

Q: What language classes are available?

A: Students will take Spanish as their foreign language course starting their sophomore year. For native Spanish speakers we have advanced level Spanish literature classes. If students want to take other languages, they can enroll in classes through Contra Costa Community College and get high school and college credits for the class. 

Q: Are there AP classes?

A: Currently we are offering AP US History, AP Spanish Literature, AP Calculus, and AP English Literature. 

Q: How does the school help students apply for college?

A: In their English classes, students have the opportunity to write their college applications and essays. We offer extracurricular activities that can be put on college applications, such as leading school activities and peer tutoring. We are also have a college counselor that will who helps students select the right colleges for them and ensure they are prepared to apply.  

Q: How does the school address safety on campus?

A: LPS Richmond is a very small community where everyone knows each other. The students and staff develop strong relationships with each other, which leads to openness to discuss problems on campus. Students have the ability to call out peers for negative behavior during the family meetings and staff meet one on one with students when they notice conflict between peers. With this type of personal attention on campus, there have not been many safety concerns over the last few years. When problems arise, they are dealt with quickly and carefully by our Dean of Students with appropriate consequences.

Q: Does your school accept student with IEPs?

A: Because we are a public school, we are open to all students, including those with IEPs. We have fantastic RSP teachers here on campus that work in class with our students who have IEPs.

Q: How do we go about enrolling as upperclassmen?

A: Transfer students must submit a transcript along with their application. This allows us to discuss what classes they would need to take in order to graduate from our school.

Q: I don't live in Richmond. Can my child still attend?

A: You do not have to live in Richmond to attend our school. As long as you can get your student here on time in the morning we are willing to have you.