A bilingual charter school in San Jose is facing an uncertain future as it works to prevent the revocation of its charter by the East Side Union High School District. Escuela Popular has been accused of failing to comply with new state teacher credentialing requirements, a claim the school disputes. Parents and families are urging officials to allow the school to remain open.

Aleli Ramirez, who has taught at Escuela Popular for six years, has a personal connection to the school—her mother was once an adult student there. She says the school plays a vital role in supporting immigrant children and adults who often find it difficult to succeed in English-only classrooms.

Ramirez explains that her goal as a teacher is to build students’ confidence and independence in learning. She takes pride in guiding students as they make progress and recognize their own achievements.

In October, the East Side Union High School District placed Escuela Popular on probation, citing concerns that some teachers did not meet updated state credential standards. This Thursday, school leaders must demonstrate sufficient improvement to the school board in order to stop a vote that could push the school closer to shutting down.

The principal and chief executive of the school, Patricia Reguerin, is confident they’ve done what they need to.

“We had a period of time to refute and remediate any of those issues. And we did, a hundred percent of our teachers that are working in the classroom are properly credentialed,” Reguerin said.

Community supporters include City Councilman Peter Ortiz.

“I grow up in this area, I know and have loved ones who’ve gone to Escuela Popular and if the board‘s decision does continue to move forward based on what they vote on today a lot of people could be hurt,” Ortiz said.