Our Values

5

An unwavering belief in all students’ potential

Green Dot truly believes that every student, whatever their circumstances, holds the innate potential to achieve their goals and succeed in college, leadership, and life. We acknowledge that the belief may often be challenged and tested—either by personal experience in the classroom or external societal pressures—but we are unwavering in our commitment to consistently approach every student not in terms of what they lack, but in terms of what is possible.

4

A passion for excellence

Good enough is never good enough. Green Dot’s success has only been possible through an ongoing commitment to learn, grow, and strive for excellence in everything we do. Self-reflection and an earnest desire to continually improve is an integral component of every level of the organization.

personal responsibility

Personal responsibility

Achieving excellence requires that we all take responsibility for our role in the success of students, colleagues, and the larger organization. We push ourselves towards developing effective and sustainable solutions, but none of us do so alone: We rise together to meet the toughest challenges. Each of us actively plays a part in removing barriers to student success or, when possible, empowering our students to navigate such hurdles themselves.

respect for others

Respect for others in the community

Green Dot respects the communities in which we work and the people who live in them. We are not saviors looking to rescue students from their communities, nor are we naïve to the significant challenges that our communities face. We reject the concept of a universal ‘Culture of Poverty’; recognizing our students and their families as individuals, acknowledging their voices, and valuing their input into our work.

1

All stakeholders are critical in the education process

Respecting stakeholders requires active listening and the inclusion of all voices. School leaders regularly engage teachers in decision-making through the creation of professional communities of practice. Community engagement teams nurture the political power of our parents to demand meaningful change in their neighborhoods. Schools build sustainable alliances with high-quality community partners to help remove barriers to student learning. Senior leadership challenge policymakers on the inequities of state funding. Across the organization, Green Dot consistently seeks to promote an environment of collaboration. We are more powerful together than we are alone: our individual impact is magnified in partnership.