The Progressive’s Favorite Books of 2025

While Miranda’s research centers on a New York City program she calls International High School, she neither sugarcoats the complexity of teaching often traumatized immigrants nor does she sidestep the political hostility against newcomers. Nonetheless, Sanctuary School offers readers an optimistic, insightful glimpse into public education as a public good and presents a prototype that can be adapted by districts throughout the country. Her description of schools that are working to meet the needs of young people entering the United States is powerful and upbeat. It is a model to champion.

Dr. Anindya Kundu, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Author of The Power of Student Agency and Transforming Educational Leadership

"This is an incredibly timely and necessary book for educators and school leaders who confront challenges facing immigrant students and families today. Dr. Patton Miranda expertly weaves together rich description, interviews, facts and figures, history, and policy to shed light on how to create sanctuary for all students. Highly recommended reading, especially for students in educational leadership programs, anthropology of education, education policy. Brava!"

"This is a compelling read that starts with an anecdote about the 2016 election that brought me right back to how improbable Trump’s first presidency felt before it happened. The carefully curated and explored world of IHS inspires both hope for the future of education in this country and a sense of rebellion against current xenophobic policies. I sincerely hope that this can inspire educators and communities across the country to envision a light at the end of this tunnel and a roadmap to help us get there."

Carter Gertzog

"This is a must-read for all professionals working with immigrant youth. Dr. Miranda demonstrates why we need to reimagine the education system and how we can create school spaces and policies that are inclusive, culturally-responsive, empowering, and foster a sense of belonging for immigrant youth. Only when we change our mindsets, our school communities, and our policies can we truly provide equitable schooling and care for our youth and their families."

Dr. Vicky Giouroukakis, Director of Graduate & Postgraduate Education Programs/Professor of Education at Molloy University, Author of Growing Up in an Immigrant Household and Community: Essays by Descendants of Immigrants

"Chandler Patton Miranda’s Sanctuary School is a compassionate and deeply informed call to action for educators committed to serving immigrant youth equitably. Instead of framing schools as passive shelters, Miranda envisions a whole-school sanctuary model built on empowerment, belonging, and radical welcome. Grounded in ethnographic research at a New York City high school, the book shines when offering concrete strategies — aligning policies with inclusive values, supporting students’ emotional well-being, and cultivating a culture of curiosity. Through vivid stories, Miranda shows how schools can be both safe and transformative, even in hostile political climates. Forward-looking and practical, Sanctuary School equips readers with tools to anticipate future challenges while bringing nuance to immigration debates. It is a timely resource for educators, families, and policymakers alike."

Amanda Matthews

"An Incredible read that highlights the incredible wraparound services that Internationals High School provides their students. In a time in which immigrants do not feel welcomed and thus invisible, Miranda does a phenomenal job of highlighting how schools can be, should be and how they can be places of belonging and innovation for our immigrant students and their families!"

Dr. Diana Cornejo-Sanchez, CEO of High Tech High

“Miranda powerfully brings nuance to reductive debates and discourses on immigration in beautifully detailed stories of young people’s journeys from home countries and of a community of educators who redefine how we imagine education for immigrant youth. Sanctuary School offers a vital resource for educational scholars, activists, and policymakers interested in fostering possibility for immigrant students.”

Dr. Reva Jaffe-Walter, Associate Professor of Educational Foundations, Montclair State University. Author of Coercive Concern

“Essential and timely, Miranda’s exploration into the policies, politics, and lived experiences of sanctuary schools is truly engaging. Her narration of sanctuary school students’ and educators’ experiences is a must-read for current and future educators, policymakers, and those interested in understanding the chemistry and context that make sanctuary schools thrive.”

Rebecca Callahan, Professor of Education Policy, University of Vermont

“An important book that speaks to the challenges of the current moment. Through rich ethnographic description, Miranda demonstrates why inclusive and culturally responsive schooling for immigrant youth matters for us all.”

Stacey J. Lee, Vilas Research Professor and Frederick Erickson WARF Professor of Educational Policy Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison