Two BUSD Elementary Schools Named ‘California Distinguished Schools’

BERKELEY, CA — Berkeley Unified School District is officially home to two of the 356 elementary schools named as 2023 California Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education Friday, Jan. 6.

Ruth Acty Elementary and Berkeley Arts Magnet at Whittier both received the honor, according to a news release issued by the California Department of Education.

Elementary schools and secondary schools are recognized in alternate years and since its inception in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Award remains one of the important ways to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers, and classified employees for their innovation, talent and success in supporting students, CDE said.

CDE identifies eligible schools based on their performance and progress on the 2022 California School Dashboard; schools were selected for closing the achievement gap or exceptional student performance based on assessment results, rates of chronic absenteeism, suspension rates, and socioeconomic data.

“California Distinguished Schools represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning, and collaboration, but also highly successful, data-driven school efforts ranging from professional development for educators to mental health and social-emotional wellness strategies to address the needs of students and families,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said in the Jan. 6 news release announcing the selections.

All of the 2023 California Distinguished Schools will be honored in an awards ceremony on February 16, 2023.