Updated 2026-06-19

Alcove Learning

A liberatory, youth-led community rooted in Boyle Heights and serving young people, ages 10-20, across Los Angeles.
B (Bianca) Estrada director
Co-ops & Resource Centers
http://www.alcovelearning.org
click to see email
(+1) (310) 367-5397
2511 E. 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA  90033
United States
Boyle Heights (Los Angeles, California) is near Downtown Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Pasadena, Altadena, Highland Park, Glendale, Burbank, and the broader San Gabriel Valley and San Fernando Valley.

Description

Alcove Learning is a liberatory, youth-led community rooted in Boyle Heights and serving young people, ages 10-20, across Los Angeles. The community is built on the Liberated Learners motto: “learning is natural, and school is optional.” Young people pursue their interests through mentorship, real-world experiences, creative projects, and community connection. Alcove supports youth in taking ownership of their education while providing caring adult allies, a supportive peer community, and access to resources. The program is designed by and for curious and unconventional young people, including neurodivergent, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ youth, and others who thrive in a caring, connected community.

Press and other resources: https://linktr.ee/alcove.learning

SDE Optimizing Conditions

ASDE surveys all SDE communities/programs about how they provide, enhance, or align with each of the Six Optimizing Conditions for young people to succeed in SDE.  Survey answers:
  1. Responsibility – Members identify their own interests, set goals, pursue projects, and take ownership of their learning with support from mentors and the community.
  2. Youth Autonomy – Alcove is an abolitionist and consent-based space. Members have complete autonomy to follow their curiosity and learn through self-directed inquiry and real-world experiences.
  3. Access to Tools and Technology – Members access resources, creative materials, technology, community spaces, and real-world environments to support exploration and making. There are no adult-imposed technology restrictions.
  4. Adult Allies – Alcove seeks to undo adultism in all its forms. All classes and other offerings are requested by the members. Each member has a trained and supported mentor who supports their goals and interests.
  5. Free Age Mixing – The community includes members ages 10–20 who play/learn alongside each other and with supportive adults, mentors, and community members.
  6. Community – Alcove provides a small, relationship-based community where members are known, valued, and encouraged to contribute to shared experiences and decisions. Decisions are made by the youth members at weekly house meetings.

If any information about this resource is out of date, please let us know.