Meet Samantha de Santiago (she/her), a 7th-grader at Carver Middle School. We recently connected to learn about her experiences at Carver and how her curiosity, drive, and the support she received helped her achieve outstanding results in English.

Pedro Lemus (left), one of Samantha de Santiago’s 6th-grade teachers, with Samantha (right).

From the start of middle school, Samantha was excited to continue growing as a learner. Her love of reading often leads her to explore books beyond the curriculum, a dedication that paid off last year when she boosted her English state test score by an impressive 109 points, moving from meeting standards to exceeding them. For reference, over time, the average scores of the sixth-grade cohort have increased by about 31 points in LAUSD and 29 points across California.

“I was proud of myself because I didn’t think I would grow that much,” Samantha shared. “I just set little goals for myself and tried to do as much as I could.” This approach combined consistent effort with her natural interest in exploring new books and ideas, her ability to learn key concepts, and her practice through quizzes and regular class assignments.

Teachers at Carver also played a key role in Samantha’s growth. She highlighted Pedro Lemus, her 6th-grade English and history teacher, as a constant source of encouragement who nurtured her love of reading. “He has a mini library in a corner of his classroom … the Zen Den,” Samantha said. “He encouraged me to read, write my own stories, and do my best … He always told me I could do it.” Some of her favorite books are They Both Die at the End, the Hunger Games series, and the Twilight Saga. 

Samantha says it’s the supportive community at Carver that helps her learn best. “The teachers are really supportive,” she said. “That helps everyone get the help they need and push themselves further.” Tutoring sessions when she has questions, along with supportive staff outside the classroom who check in with students and ask about their day, have also helped Samantha build close bonds with staff on campus.

Samantha also shared how encouragement from her teachers makes her feel seen and motivated. “When they tell me I can do it or notice my effort, it makes me feel confident and excited to keep trying,” she said. 

Looking ahead, Samantha plans to continue excelling in English and maintaining high grades. She is confident she can achieve her goals with hard work and the support of her teachers and the Carver community. She does not know which college she would like to attend just yet, but wants to study criminal justice or literature with aspirations to become a lawyer or an author.