Alum Rock Union Elementary School District's academic characterized by a dramatic turnaround and multiple accolades

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The Alum Rock Union Elementary School District kicked off the 2011-12 academic year by making a statement about the future of education in East San Jose, unveiling the model for 21^st century learning in the newly rebuilt San Antonio Elementary School. The state-of-the-art facility integrates technology, in this case, iPads and iPod Touches for each student, with the new facility aiming to rapidly accelerate student achievement.

In one of its most aggressive years in the history of the District, Alum Rock Union continued to make huge advancements, both in terms of modernizing facilities and improving student performance.

In March 2012, the East San Jose district, which just three years ago was sanctioned by the California State Board of Education due to lagging student performance, was recognized by the State for its dramatic turnaround as the District catapulted from 41^st place out of 50 districts placed into the District Assistance and Intervention Team (DAIT) program in 2008 to 4^th place in 2012, marking the second largest improvement of any school district in the state.

Building upon this momentum, the District continued to receive accolades for its massive improvements in student achievement and its success in closing the achievement gap by averaging an API growth of 24 points, triple the 8 point average API growth for schools in Santa Clara County. This increase in API scores catapulted six district schools into the 800 and higher API score category, increasing the number of District schools in that category to ten.

Donald J. Meyer Elementary earned the California Department of Education's Title I Academic Achievement award. James McEntee Academy was selected as a California Distinguished School. And, five of the District's schools were named to the California Business for Education Honor Roll. The 2011-12 academic year marks a clear break from the District's past troubles and represents a significant step forward for a District serving 12,500 students.

"This past year has been the culmination of the sacrifice and innovation invested within the last four years," said Alum Rock Union Elementary School District Superintendent Jose L. Manzo. "I leave this District knowing that our students will have access to a top level education designed to prepare them for a better tomorrow."

Tonight, as the District's Board of Trustees and Superintendent met for the final time in the 2011-12 academic year, there was a renewed sense at the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District that the future of the District shines as bright as the hope and optimism of every student who walks through its school halls.

2011-12 Academic Year Highlights:

August 2011 – Unveiled the new San Antonio Elementary and its iDream Initiative.

January 2012- Sylvia Cassell Elementary School, James Mc Entee Academy, Donald J. Meyer Elementary School and Clyde Fischer Middle School recognized by the Santa Clara County Office of Education as recipients of the "2020 Vision" Awards for Progress in Closing the Achievement Gap.

February 2012 – Marie Sanchez recognized as ACSA Region 8 Confidential Employee of the Year.

February 2012- Cesar Chavez Elementary School Principal, Rene Sanchez, recognized as ACSA Region 8 Principal of the Year.

March 2012 – California State Board of Education releases report documenting the District's catapult from 41^st to 4^th place out of 50 districts in the DAIT Program.

March 2012 – James McEntee Academy named a California Distinguished school.

April 2012 – Donald J. Meyer Elementary Earns Title I Academic Achievement Award.

May 2012 – Horace Curreton Elementary, Linda Vista Elementary, Millard McCollam Elementary, O.S. Hubbard Elementary named to the California Business for Education Excellence Honor Roll.

May 2012 – Horace Curreton Elementary School Principal, Jason Sorich, recognized as the Silicon Valley Chamber Commerce's Teacher of the Year award recipient.

June 2012 – District recognized by the Grail Family Services "Siempre Award" for their work with the "Yes we can…Read" program.

June 2012 – District unveils new $2.5 million, all weather track and sports field at Sheppard Middle School.

About Alum Rock Unified School District: The Alum Rock Union School District operates twenty elementary schools and six middle schools, totaling a student population of 12,500. Serving the ethnically and economically diverse community of East San Jose, Alum Rock is a family-oriented district committed to meeting the many needs of its students and families.

Over the past four years, Alum Rock Union School District has earned a reputation for innovation and investment, both in its infrastructure and student and teacher resources. As a result, the district has transformed numerous once poorly performing schools into models of student achievement and learning. The success of this effort is exhibited in the districts rapidly improving API scores and its ability to narrow the achievement gap in a district with a significant population of English Learners and low-income immigrant families. For more information: www.arusd.org.

Media Contact:

Rolando Bonilla Alum Rock Union Elementary School District, 4159878025, rolando@fordandbonilla.com

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SOURCE Alum Rock Union Elementary School District

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