OUR PURPOSE & VALUES
We believe addressing San Antonio’s education equity gap requires investments in both the creation of high-quality schools and empowered communities and we live into this purpose each day through our driving values.
CREATE THE FUTURE
LIFT VOICES
BUILD CAPACITY
We do our work together with the community, building their power to advocate for their children and the children of San Antonio
We keep students at the center of our work and have the deliberate courage to act both with urgency and with the long view in mind.
We build and invest in collaborative partnerships with mission-aligned people and organizations in order to increase our impact together
INNOVATE
ELEVATE INSIGHTS
LIVE OUT EQUITY
We invest in, test, refine, and scale new ideas, models, and concepts.
We ground our work in data, including the lived experience of families, teachers, and educational leaders, simultaneously building the capacity of our city to have these insights guide the path forward.
We live out equity within our organization and advance equity across the city.
OUR WORK
When CEP launched in 2015, only 6,100 students in San Antonio's urban core attended schools with a TEA Rating of "A" or "B". In 2021-22, that number of students increased to 53,675. With the strength of our partners, we have achieved major accomplishments the past six years. We have more to do, together, though.
SINCE 2015, WE HAVE INVESTED OVER $40 Million To Support San Antonio’s Education Ecosystem. Together we have:
21,716
Created 21,716 new seats within San Antonio's urban core.
350
Recruited teachers to the urban core through Educate210.
500
Trained 500 parents through CEP initiatives.
410
Empowered 410 educators to receive a Master's degree through RELAY Graduate School of Education.
1,750
Provided 1750 families and students access to home WiFi through the Connected Beyond the Classroom initiative.
WHY INVEST IN EDUCATION
ECONOMIC GROWTH
According to the Brookings Institute, wages of college graduates grow faster with city size than do wages of those without college degrees. In addition, highly educated workers adapt more readily to new technologies and are better able than less-educated workers to thrive in large cities where those technologies are more available. High-tech industries, high-skilled manufacturing industries, and finance industries often require a college education.
CREATING HIGH QUALITY
SCHOOLS
Creating high quality schools takes time, effort, and community involvement. By investing in turnaround schools, incubating new schools, and scaling successful programs, we work to expand innovative models for families across the city.
EMPOWERING PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
Great schools require community involvement. As an organization dedicated to equity, we are focused on ensuring parent empowerment through the provision of San Antonio School Finder, PASEO, and MindShiftED.
CREATING SUPPORT STRUCTURES
It is critical that schools and families have the tools they need to create an environment where children can flourish. To achieve long-term classroom success, City Education Partners is dedicated to making investments that create a more equitable and accessible system.
ABOUT US
Creating lasting change within San Antonio's education ecosystem requires a multi-faceted approach. Over the past six years, CEP has implemented innovative programs aimed at investing in student success from the classroom to the living room.
OUR TEAM
DALIA FLORES CONTRERAS
CEO
ADRIANA PECINA-RIOS
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ORGANIZER
Dalia Flores Contreras is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at City Education Partners (CEP). Contreras grew up on the Westside of San Antonio and is a graduate of both Palo Alto College (PAC) and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). She holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from UTSA.
She has more than 19 years of experience in education and has served in a variety of roles — from classroom teacher to superintendent of schools. She had the opportunity to study, learn and work in the education ecosystem of Texas, Illinois and Oklahoma in both district and charter public school systems.
Adriana Pecina-Rios is the Community Engagement Organizer at City Education Partners. Adriana grew up in the border town of McAllen, Texas and is a first generation college graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University.
Adriana has worked across various fields of social services for the past 10 years always serving the children, students, and families of our community. Adriana is driven by the passion of working alongside the San Antonio community and believes in the power of a collaborative community to propel change.
GLADYS HERNANDEZ
DIRECTOR OF TALENT
JILLIAN DURAN
OPERATIONS SUPPORT
Gladys Karen Hernández is a trilingual Latina rooted in community with expertise working with a diverse network of multi-sector organizations, institutions, and corporations to identify opportunity within and across education systems. Gladys has served in executive roles of educational leadership inspiring civically minded individuals to become advocates and leaders in the San Antonio education community and beyond. Growing up a first-generation college graduate, it is Gladys' belief that all students deserve to learn, thrive, and grow.
Gladys holds a Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from The University of Texas at San Antonio and a Masters in Business Administration from St. Mary's University.
Jillian Duran is a native of San Antonio's south side who learned from experience that access to education can open doors. She has extensive experience in management consulting and has also worked for and with local schools for the last 8 years. At CEP Jillian supports the CEO with all things operations and finance, and also works to deploy funds to local schools bringing high quality seats to San Antonio.
Jillian previously served as the Chief of Staff for KIPP Public Schools and received her B.S. in Mathematics from Georgetown University.
OUR BOARD
CHRIS BARBIC
President
TIFFANY GRANT
Treasurer
JON HINOJOSA
Secretary
KEN HALLIDAY
Trustee
GET IN TOUCH
Help us continue to develop San Antonio's Education Ecosystem.