Prospect Sierra Wins Recognition for 21st-Century Education

in El Cerrito is one of seven schools across the nation named by the National Association of Independent Schools as a model school for 21st-century education.

The National Association of Independent Schools represents about 1,400 independent schools and associations in the United States. Prospect Sierra is a 450-student private school serving grades K-8 on two campuses in El Cerrito.

The association singled out the work of Prospect Sierra's Head of School Katherine Dinh, saying, "Prospect Sierra, in the hands of a dynamic and visionary head of school, is building upon the foundation laid by forward-thinking founders."

“We are honored to receive this distinction,’’ Dinh said in a statement. “One of our primary goals at Prospect Sierra is to maintain our strong academic programs while working to find new ways to prepare our students to thrive in the future. We appreciate being recognized by NAIS for the progress we have made.’’

The association selected exemplary schools that focused on equipping students for the skills and knowledge needed in the future. Those chosen were characterized not only by a firm grounding in basic academic subjects but also by such features as project-based learning, engaging students in the outside world, embrace of digital technologies, strong arts programs, "learning communities" that involve adults, and "transformational leadership," according to the association's report, "A 21st Century Imperative: A Guide for Becoming a School of the Future."

The report said of Prospect Sierra's approach, "Guided by a bold and visionary strategic plan, the school seeks to become a regional leader in middle school education with well researched, progressive, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. ... Dinh has engaged the entire faculty across disciplines, grades, and campuses in research and discussion around 21st century skills. The goal is to define for the school those skills, values, and attributes the faculty believes will allow their graduates to thrive in the future."

"Prospect Sierra’s process for transformative change," the report said, "can serve as a blueprint for other schools seeking to inspire widespread faculty engagement in the design and implementation of a 21st century curriculum."

In addition to Prospect Sierra, the schools selected as model schools included two other independent schools, two public magnet schools, a public charter school, and two international schools, including one in Belgium. The schools are:

Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, MA
High Tech High, San Diego, CA
The International School of Brussels, Belgium
Morton Middle School and Benson High School, Omaha, NE
Riverstone International School, Boise, ID
Prospect Sierra School, El Cerrito, CA
Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences (SAAS), Seattle, WA