El Verano Elementary

El Verano Elementary sits in the heart of Sonoma wine country, where the laid-back charm of the Valley of the Moon meets the real challenges of serving a predominantly Latino community with significant socioeconomic diversity. Families who choose El Verano tend to be deeply rooted in the local agricultural and hospitality economy, and the school reflects that tight-knit, working-class character of the surrounding neighborhood. While academic scores are below state averages, the school's story is very much tied to the broader work Sonoma Valley Unified is doing to close opportunity gaps in one of California's most picturesque — and economically unequal — corners.