BEST High School has many opportunities for parents to participate in school activities. Parent meetings are held every other month and allow parents to learn about the high school graduation requirements, A-G requirements, interact with school staff, and express concerns.

Senior class parents meeting during the first Wednesday of every month and parents receive support and information pertaining to graduation and the college application process. BEST has a cadre of parents who serve as Grade Level Parent Leaders and they are responsible for communicating with Grade Level Teacher Leaders and also the Principal about issues and to plan meetings. Parents are encouraged to visit classrooms and be an active part of their child’s education.

Teachers also schedule team meetings with parents to discuss academic and behavioral issues.

Volunteer Opportunities/ Community Service

In addition to the "open door" policy BEST maintains for parents and community partners, our roots as the first public high school in Oakland to require students to engage in Community Service or Service Learning is a solid precept of our foundation for our students.

Service Learning/ Community Service

Serving others is the key to true happiness. It also empowers students to make powerful and positive changes in their community and beyond. We require and encourage all students to engage in service learning or community service projects. BEST students are required to perform at least 100 hours of service before graduation. This requirement is also a Merit Award requirement.

Many of our students have dedicated far more than the hundred hour commitment prior to graduation. Some have received awards and public acknowledgement of their profound dedication to making our society a better place for us all.

Students may satisfy this requirement in a variety of ways; they may volunteer on our school site, through partnerships with community agencies, through their own places of worship, through our Key Club service activities, or through student-driven individual or group projects. AP Student Ambassadors and College Summit Peer leaders perform regular service to the school.

All of our teachers are BEST Service Learning leaders and can document their hours of service. Students may document individual or group service using our Community Service Verification form or using a letter written by the person or agency.

The Oakland Rotary

Our partnership with the Oakland Rotary is a long and powerful community partnership. Rotarians have supported our students in countless projects and with awards designed to promote academic success, leadership, and service. Some of these projects have included Camp Enterprise, mentoring students, scholarships, donating needed supplies, and much more. --> Read More About the Oakland Rotary