Our volunteers make it possible!

Las Casas is powered by our volunteer teachers — and it is their dedication to our students that sustains our program. This school year we served 300 students and had a record number of 50+ volunteer teachers and program assistants who collectively contributed more than 4,300 volunteer hours! We maintain a low teacher-to-student ratio to ensure our students get the instruction they need while meeting the growing demand for English classes in our community. In the 2023/24 school year, Las Casas provided 33 weeks of classes and over 150 hours of instruction for our students.

We recently gathered for our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Communite Table in Oakland to give thanks to our volunteers and celebrate another wonderful year at Las Casas.

Student Feedback

Each year we ask our students for feedback and suggestions to help us improve our program and ensure we are meeting their needs. Many students took time to thank the Dominican Sisters of MSJ for their ongoing support and Cristo Rey de la Salle High School for generously opening their doors and allowing Las Casas to use their school for our evening classes. Our students also shared their gratitude for our dedicated teachers. Here is a sample of some of their words:

"The teachers give you confidence to ask questions, they explain very well and are very understanding."

"What I like most about teachers is that they are always available to help you, individually and in groups. They are calm and patient."

"They are very committed to us. They always find the best way to try to help us to improve our English. The greatest teachers."

"The teachers are always willing to help, answer questions not only about the class but also those that can help us resolve personal issues. They demonstrate not only to be good teachers but also excellent human beings. In this regard, I have received a lot of help, for example to write my summary of the best way in English and get a better job, I feel that this is education for life."

"The classes are very practical and I like that because I can learn faster. About the teachers, I think they are very professional and very patient with the students, that give us confidence and enthusiasm to continue learning while enjoying the classes."

"Every time they give us classes they always try to make the classes dynamic to understand better."

"My entire class is comfortable. The teachers are very kind and patient."

Our Classes

Las Casas offers 5 levels of low level English Language instruction: Introduction, Beginning Low, Beginning High, Intermediate Low and Intermediate High. The vast majority of our students work long days (many have multiple jobs) and have additional responsibilities caring for family and children. Las Casas meets the needs of our community by offering lower level English classes, at night and in person. And we operate our program where our students live - in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland.

Even after working long hours, our students manage to come to class with a positive attitude, a willingness to work hard and a joy for learning. We are grateful for our amazing community of students and so proud of their hard work and how much they have learned. Enjoy these great photos of each of our classes.