Civic Learning Award: Bell Gardens

Bell Gardens High School

Montabello Unified School District
County of: Los Angeles
Civic Learning Award of: Merit

School Website



Highlight: Mock elections at Bell Gardens attempt to replicate a realistic voting experience, including the use of voting booths.

Civic Learning Description

Bell Gardens High School's Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLR) includes "become a productive citizen in a global society." As such, more than half of all students participate in a realistic mock election that prepares them for voting on candidates as well as state propositions. And many social studies classes teach students to deliberate about democratic issues, as well as design and implement civic action projects during the senior year.


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 students’ participation in simulations of democratic process and procedures such as voting, trials, legislative deliberation, and diplomacy.


Contact Information

William Renner
6119 Agra St.
Bell Gardens, CA 90201
(323) 826-5151 ext. 5592