Public Education Reform

Through conversations with parents, teachers, children, and community members, we’ve heard that our education system falls short for many. We continuously work together to push for the changes they envision. True North empowers community leaders to take action, transforming the education system to meet the needs of every child and paving the way for brighter futures for all.

Building Leadership & Power in Schools

Schools where we organize in DNATL

True North’s school-based organizing model empowers parents, students, and educators to take an active role in shaping their schools and communities. Through site-based leadership teams, we build relationships that foster trust, encourage shared decision-making, and drive meaningful change.

Our teams work toward power-building and systems change by identifying issues, conducting research, and advocating for solutions. We also support participatory budgeting projects — a Community Schools implementation — where school communities collaboratively decide how to allocate resources to best serve students.

This leadership development approach strengthens school communities, ensuring that families and educators are not just participants in the system but active agents of change.

Community Impact

  • Watch the video and read the article HERE.

  • January 31, 2025

    A Growing Movement

    The Belong Circles initiative is gaining momentum as more educators, students, and families recognize it’s impact. These facilitated circles provide structured opportunities for students and staff to engage in meaningful conversations, develop social-emotional skills, and create inclusive school environments where everyone feels seen and heard.

    This year, in partnership with Eureka City Schools, Humboldt Office of Education (HCOE), and the Othering & Belonging Institute in Berkeley, True North helped develop a TK-12 Belong Circle curriculum. This framework includes 75 lessons, grouped into 15 lesson sets, designed to help educators foster belonging, leadership, and community-building across all grade levels.

    By embedding this curriculum into classrooms, schools are creating safe spaces for students toexpress themselves, build empathy, and strengthen relationships.

    On January 17, 2025, True North hosted a county-wide Professional Development training in collaboration with HCOE and The Othering & Belonging Institute. Participants from across Humboldt County gathered for a full day of learning, exploring practical ways to implement Belong Circles into the classrooms. The event featured:

    • Powerful testimonials from students, teachers, and leaders who have experienced the impact of Belong Circles.

    • Interactive activities introducing participants to the curriculum.

    • Discussions on fostering connection, belonging, and leadership among students, staff, and families.

    Click HERE to see some photos from the event.

    We are excited to see how this initiative will shape school communities across Humboldt County. We remain committed to supporting students, families, and educators in creating learning environments that prioritize relationships, safety, well-being, and collective power.

  • See how it’s being used —> here.

  • Read more

  • April 30, 2022—Read the article.

  • Oct 12, 2021—Read the article.

  • April 14, 2021—Read the article.

  • Dec 16, 2019—Read the article.

  • Dec 11, 2019—Read the article.

  • 2019—Read the article.