Aspire Public Schools

Aspire Public Schools offers City Year alums

Teaching residency

As a Teacher Resident with Aspire Public Schools, you will earn your master’s degree and California teaching credential from Alder Graduate School of Education in one year. Available credential options include multiple subject (K-eight); single subject (six-12): English, math, science or social studies and special education (mild/moderate).

Aspire Teacher Residents will also receive the following benefits:

• $37,000 stipend
• Apprenticeship four days a week at an Aspire school in California with one of the best teachers in your residency school
• Priority consideration for a full-time position upon completing the program
• A cohort of peers with whom you will work (and laugh) all year, paving the way to becoming lifelong friends and colleagues
• One-on-one observation, dialogue, advice and support from one of the best instructional leaders in K–12 education
• Critical conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion with your mentor, instructors and peers

Why City Year loves Aspire Public Schools

Founded in 1998, Aspire Public Schools still has the same mission today: open and operate small, high-quality, college-prep charter schools in systemically under-resourced neighborhoods. Aspire now has 36 community-based schools serving over 15,200 students in California. Its schools range from K-12, and College For Certain is the focus for every age group. Teachers and parents partner closely to ensure students are prepared to succeed in college, career, and life.

The Aspire Teacher Residency is an intensive teacher training program that recruits and trains talented individuals of all ages and backgrounds to become highly effective teachers. It prepares teachers by pairing theory and practice through master’s level coursework and classroom practicum. The goal is to provide Teacher Residents with theory and give them the opportunity to apply it in practice with the support of a successful Mentor Teacher. The City Year experience sets a strong foundation for future success as an Aspire Teacher Resident, strengthens your application and improves your chances of being selected as an Aspire Teacher Resident.

To apply

Visit Alder Graduate School of Education’s admissions website to learn more about the application process and apply online.

To identify your City Year affiliation

City Year AmeriCorps members and alums should highlight their City Year experience on their résumé as part of their application materials.

For more information

For questions regarding the Aspire Teacher Residency, please schedule a meeting with a member of the admissions team.

For questions regarding Alder Graduate School of Education’s application process or programs, please email admissions@aldergse.edu.

Please note that all admissions decisions are made by Aspire Public Schools. AmeriCorps members and alums interested in applying must complete the full application process.