Saratoga's Redwood Middle Is 2013 California Distinguished School

Redwood Middle School, 13925 Fruitvale Ave., has been selected as a 2013 California Distinguished School.

More than 200 schools in the state received the prestigious honor which identifies campuses that have demonstrated educational excellence for all students and progress in narrowing the achievement gap, according to the program information on the California Department of Education's website.

"The award is an honor and reflects Redwood Middle School’s strong commitment and innovative approaches to improving student academic achievement," said Saratoga Union School District Superintendent Lane Weis in a press release.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson described the schools receiving the award: "These schools have gone the extra mile to provide high-quality instruction that puts their students on the right path toward career and college. Given the enormous challenges schools have faced in recent years, it is inspiring to see this kind of success in so many schools. Our future depends on meeting the needs of every student no matter where they come from or where they live."

To apply for Distinguished School honors, schools must meet a variety of eligibility criteria, including accountability measures. Once schools are deemed eligible, the CDE invites them to apply to be recognized.

Redwood was signled out for two so-called signature practices:

• Mathematics Support: All students have equal access to heterogeneously grouped classes in the regular math program but with built in safety nets for those who need more time and support with math. On the 2011-12 STAR test, 92 percent of its students performed at the proficient or advanced level in sixth-grade math, 94 percent in pre-algebra; 89 percent in algebra 1, and 100 percent in geometry.
• Intentional Asset Building: Redwood adopted Project Cornerstone's 41 Developmental Assets that help young people thrive. The practice of intentional asset building includes five main practices: seeking the student voice, intentional asset building activities, staff development, parent/community involvement, and student recognition. Weekly homeroom time is used to address and build these developmental assets. Students also participate annually in Unity in Community, an event to support them in becoming caring, responsible citizens.

Redwood Middle School also received an API score of 978, ranking in the top 1 percent of California middle schools. 95 percent of students performed at the proficient or advanced level in English-language arts, 90 percent in history-social science, 91 percent in math, and 97 percent in science.

As a recipient of the Distinguished School title, Redwood Middle School agrees to share their signature practices with other schools and serve as mentors to other educators who want to replicate their work, Weiss said in the release.