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Celebrating 25 years

As we celebrate 25 years of community-engaged research, we extend our thanks to the many partners and funders who share our vision of thriving communities that support the growth, development, and vitality of all young people.

We look forward to advancing this vision in the years to come, working hand in hand with school districts, nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies to:

Develop research-informed, practical solutions that create opportunities for young people  

Help our partners use research to increase their impact

Inform policies and practices at the local, state, and national levels 

OUR IMPACT APPROACH

Community-engaged research — conducting research in the context of long-term, trusted partnerships — is both a hallmark of the Gardner Center and the platform that enables us to do meaningful work close to home and beyond.

PROJECTS

Students in a classroom
Academic outcomes | Alternative high schools | Schools/districts (all)
Since 2008, the Gardner Center has been at the forefront of studying efforts to improve California's alternative high schools, which annually serve 170,000 students who are not thriving in traditional academic environments.
We have found that the Stanford team is consistently present, helpful, organized, and supportive of our work. At all times their focus is on us, our district, and making us as strong as we can be. Most importantly, they are helping us plan and make sense of the many initiatives that we have started recently — putting them into a framework that makes sense for us and our different client groups (staff, students, families).
Redwood City School District leader

NEWS


Learn how our efforts have informed community-engaged research across Stanford University and benefited communities and youth near and far — and help us recognize the partners and funders who share our vision of thriving communities that support the growth, development, and vitality of all young people.

Center News

PERSPECTIVES

Amy Gerstein with Superintendent John Baker
The promise of partnership work

Our most rewarding work happens in community partnerships.


Colorful image of hands reaching out to one another
Working with community partners: Insights from a student researcher

What community-based research can teach us about creating productive partnerships.