After the School Board vote, action is needed for students at Lowell High School and every school in the San Francisco Unified School District

Last Wednesday, the San Francisco Board of Education made two decisions about student success at the middle and high school levels: A return to academic admissions at Lowell High School and a comprehensive review of educational programs, course offerings and student success at all the city’s high schools. We who were active in the debate stand ready to assist the School District and all San Francisco families in charting a course of achievement and happiness for all students, whether they will attend Lowell or whether they are preparing for their futures at other schools.

If the often described “San Francisco values” mean anything, they include a firm commitment to both diversity and educational opportunity for all our children. These intertwined goals were considerably advanced by School Board President Jenny Lam’s focus on a bigger picture examination of all schools and student outputs in terms of post-secondary and career success. Our job as San Franciscans is not done until (1) every high school diploma is associated with consistently high proficiency in the course areas the University of California deems essential, (2) students who do not choose a four-year college path have accessible future educational and career training for upwardly mobile, family-sustaining jobs, and (3) at the middle school level, focused attention is placed on ending the unacceptable status quo where only half the graduating 8th graders are considered by the School District to be ready for high school.

Like our counterparts at schools across the city, the Lowell High School alumni community is committed to helping all our current students — our future fellow alums. Whether it is through programming, mentoring, tutoring or financial help to our school, we remain committed to helping all Lowell students thrive. Similarly, for incoming 9th graders entering Lowell in August, I urge school administrators and teachers to invite them to school early to acquaint themselves with the campus, hear from juniors and seniors about high school life, and help shape a level playing field when they start classes. We must start now in order to help all students be prepared for Lowell’s well-known academic expectations.

Every high school should reach out to middle school families much earlier and more deeply than the annual high school enrollment fair. Elementary and middle school students should be welcomed to high school campuses for tours and interactions with students. Free admission to fall football and girls’ volleyball games provides an exciting experience for young people and an enthusiastic core of new younger fans for the hardworking players and coaches. The same goes for musical performances, robotics and ROTC competitions.

Traditionally, 30% of Lowell student admissions are based upon an individualized assessment by middle school teachers and principals of the applicant’s potential for academic success, indications of middle school athletic participation or community leadership and history of overcoming socioeconomic and other life obstacles. The process depends upon the input of already overworked teachers and counselors, some of whom may be unfamiliar with the system. Current students and recent graduates are in the best position to help inform middle school students and their parents at all schools about the requirements so that all students of promise can apply and be considered for Lowell.

Alumni can also help support SFUSD parents. San Francisco alumni who are close in age or slightly older than current school parents can offer helpful guidance on every subject from setting family expectations for homework to effectively engaging with teachers and administrators. Existing networks of trained parent advocates deserve our support. Initiatives involving our libraries, playgrounds, the Housing Authority and Department of Children, Youth and their Families can reinforce these efforts.

In the past, the Lowell alumni community was rebuffed when it offered the time and resources of our members to help the School District. Now, with an energetic new School Board and incoming superintendent, is the right time to try harder to bring people together and shape good student experiences and effective schools. For too long, our public schools have shortchanged the next generation of San Francisco workers and leaders. New school board members are setting a new tone of high expectations, accountability and decisive action. Despite differences on Lowell admissions policies, we all share a desire with continuing Board members to elevate education for all students in San Francisco.

High school is a pivotal time in the life of any young person. The San Francisco Unified School District has serious work ahead to successfully return academic admissions to Lowell, to support incoming and returning students to the school and to make the right choices for the future success of students at all our middle schools and high schools. That job requires the involvement and talents of people in all communities throughout San Francisco. Alumni — proud products of our public schools — are ready to do our part.

San Francisco attorney John Trasvina is past president of the Lowell Alumni Association. He can be reached on Twitter @JohnTrasvina