Harvest Park Middle School Honored For Special Education Achievements

PLEASANTON, CA — Harvest Park Middle School was honored with the California School Board Association's Golden Bell Award for an innovative and inclusive approach to special education.

In recent years, the school has made several strides in this area, including:

• A-G required courses and electives for students with special needs.
• Improvements in long-term outcomes for students with special needs.
• Increased opportunities for students to fulfill A-G requirements as they transition to high school.
• As of 2024, 90% of 6th grade students with IEPs at Harvest Park are participating in general education settings for the majority of the day.

“When a student comes to Harvest Park, we want them to feel safe and inspired, which requires trust,” Harvest Park Principal Russell Campisi said in a statement. “Our families have to believe that we are advocating for them from a position of high expectations and care,” said Principal Russell Campisi. “This entails that more students, who receive special education services and support, would be in general education settings at higher rates, experience improved academic outcomes, and have greater connectivity to students and staff.”