2018 Civic Learning Award Recipients
These top-scoring schools engage all students in high quality civic education in multiple ways. Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye personally visits schools earning the Awards of Excellence. Justices or judges of the appellate and superior courts visit schools receiving Awards of Distinction. New this year, learn from Award of Excellence schools, click webinar presentations below.
Excellence Awards
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Excellence Award - Elementary School El Camino Creek Elementary School Encinitas Union School District, San Diego County Highlights: This elementary school is a "Justice School" where all students participate in mock trials and the school has a mock courtroom. Webinar Presentation For more information contact: Principal Jodi Greenberger |
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Excellence Award - Middle School Oak Grove Middle School Jamul-Dulzura Union School District, San Diego County Highlights: A semester long celebration of learning that begins on Constitution Day and culminates with a "We the People" simulated Congressional Hearing. Webinar Presentation For more information contact: Principal Minerva Salas |
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Excellence Award - High School John Marshall Fundamental Secondary School Pasadena Unified School District, Los Angeles County Highlights: The entire school participates in an annual Innovation Project; students develop models, report and orally defend their work on a relevant civic issue, with the best ideas taken forward for possible implementation with industry professionals. Webinar Presentation For more information, contact: Principal Mark Anderson |
Distinction Awards
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Distinction Award - Elementary School Flora Vista Elementary School Encinitas Union School District, San Diego County Highlights: All students read the novel Journey to Topaz and participate in a mock trial related to the Japanese Internment, as part of a larger curriculum that connects classroom literature to civic education. For more information, contact: Principal Chris Juarez |
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Distinction Award - Elementary School Laurel Street School Compton Unified School District, Los Angeles County Highlights: Civic learning is integrated across the curriculum. In 5th grade students read Pay It Forward which led to students learning about the foster youth system and motivated them to organize a fundraiser for a non-profit organization that supports foster youth. For more information, contact: Principal Francisca Owoaje |
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Distinction Award - Middle School Rio Linda Preparatory Academy Rio Linda Unified School District, Sacramento County Highlights: Current events and controversial issues are discussed and analyzed on a daily basis. Students often delve into news that impacts their lives, such as the drought. In science class, students developed a plan to save water from water main flushing in their town. For more information, contact: Principal Cindy Harrison |
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Distinction Award - Middle School South Junior High School Anaheim Union High School District, Orange County Highlights: The history department begins the school year with students creating and administering a community needs assessment. Students then research and design their own projects to address local issues such as their homeless crisis. For more information, contact: Principal Enrique Romero |
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Distinction Award - High School Adolfo Camarillo High School Oxnard Union High School District, Ventura County Highlights: Civics is embedded throughout the History-Social Science curriculum. Democracy and elections are key topics. Sophomores participate in mock trials of Louis XVI and German war crimes, and juniors research, debate, and report on State Propositions. For more information, contact: Principal Kim Stephenson |
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Distinction Award - High School East Palo Alto Academy Sequoia Union High School District, San Mateo County Highlights: Every year students complete a cumulative Exhibition project. For example, in the junior year students do an depth study of a 20th century social movement, exploring how it connects to society today and to their own lives. For more information, contact: Principal Amika Guillaume |