From September 15 to October 15, the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is observing Latino Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions and cultural heritage of the Latino community. Nearly half of OUSD’s students identify as Latino, with backgrounds from 15 different countries.
This year, OUSD is focusing on the local history and impact of Latinos in Oakland. The district’s School Board has a Latino Heritage Resolution to ensure that Latino students see their histories reflected in their education.
The district launched its Latino Student Achievement (LSA) initiative in 2017. This program offers support to students and families and provides training for educators on cultural responsiveness. According to OUSD, these efforts have improved attendance rates and led to an annual Honor Roll ceremony that recognized over 4,200 Latino students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the 2024-2025 school year.
OUSD also supports bilingualism through dual language programs at several elementary schools, including Manzanita SEED and Melrose Leadership Academy. Spanish is spoken by about one-third of OUSD students, while Mam is the second most common home language at five percent. The district provides resources and interpreters for Mam-speaking families.
Student affinity groups such as Raza Clubs and Latinos Unidos offer spaces for connection and leadership development. The Latinx Mentoring & Achievement program partners with organizations like The Unity Council to provide mentorship and career planning at schools including Skyline High and Madison Park Academy.
To support educators and families, the LSA team has created a toolkit featuring lessons on Oakland’s role in movements such as the Chicano Movement and labor rights activism. Notable historical events include the Chicano Moratorium march in East Oakland on July 26, 1970—a demonstration for social justice that led to reforms—and the founding of Centro Legal de la Raza in 1969.
Figures like César Chávez and Dolores Huerta organized with United Farm Workers in Oakland, contributing to ongoing advocacy for workers’ rights. Murals across Fruitvale document these struggles; artists like Malaquias Montoya continue this legacy through projects such as the Fruitvale History Project.
Community members shared their experiences as part of this month’s celebration:
Miguel Hernandez, a Spanish teacher at Oakland High School who was born in El Salvador, said: “I want my students to value, understand, and appreciate the different aspects and richness of our Latino culture by learning the Spanish language.” He described organizing cultural events where “sharing traditions and food created a sense of unity,” helping students connect with their heritage.
Sara Nuño-Villa, Family & Community Engagement Specialist at OUSD’s Office of Equity, referenced a Mayan saying: “In Lak’ech Ala K’in,” meaning “I am you and you are me.” She explained: “The more we care for each other, the better our community will be.” Nuño-Villa noted her own upbringing in Oakland influenced her approach: “It’s important to support your own community while also working with others… These experiences shape how I support students and families.”
Yaretzi Corral, a senior at Fremont High School, named Fruitvale Village as a place that connects her to her roots: “Whether it’s the food or the events that take place there… I can always feel my Mexican roots and culture.” Her advice for younger students was: “Never lose sight of what you want. With determination and dedication, anything is possible.”
Throughout October, OUSD schools will host heritage celebrations tied to broader themes. The Annual Latinx Read-In will take place from October 7-11 during Latine Literature Week; volunteers are invited to read works by Latine authors in classrooms. Recommended books are available digitally through Sora via OUSD’s District Library collection.
OUSD encourages all community members to participate in these events as part of ongoing efforts toward inclusion and cultural recognition within its schools.
