Civic Learning Award: Irvington High School

Irvington High School

Fremont Unified School District
County of: Alameda
Civic Learning Award of: Distinction
Recognized for: Benchmark Projects

School Website

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Highlight: Irvington High School provides all students a sequential service-learning experience over four years that culminates with research, service and advocacy on a social issue of their choosing.

Civic Learning Description

Irvington High School offers their students a rich academic program, with an Academic Performance Index score of 868 out of 1000, and an equally vibrant civic-learning program. Their extra-curricular program, with more than 40 chartered-clubs, includes a partnership with Global Glimpse, which prepares students for their role as global citizens. All students engage in service-learning at each grade level, with benchmarks at each that include successful participation in Project Citizen. Further, students who enroll in the AP Government Course learn through with the We the People curriculum.

Research-Based Civic Education Practices

This school demonstrates the following research-based best practices in civic education. For more information on research-based best practices, visit the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools website.

• Provide instruction in government, history, law and democracy, and avoid teaching only rote facts about dry procedures.
• Discuss current local, national and international issues and events in the classroom, particularly those that young people view as important to their lives.
• Conduct community service that is linked to the formal curriculum and classroom (Service-learning)
• Offer extracurricular activities that provide opportunities for young people to get involved in their schools or communities.
• Encourage student participation in school governance.
• Encourage students’ participation in simulations of democratic process and procedures such as voting, trials, legislative deliberation, and diplomacy.

Contact Information

Susan Piekarski & Cheryl Cook-Kallio
41800 Blacow Road
Fremont, California 94538
805-216-3701