10 Rocketship Schools Receive ‘Pivotal Practice Award by State of CA

More Rocketship schools in Santa Clara County receive ‘Pivotal Practice’ award than any other district or charter network in the county

Ten Rocketship schools won the first ever ‘Pivotal Practice’ award from the California State Department of Education. Created in 2022 to honor innovative practices implemented during distance learning in the 2020-21 school year, this award is in place of the California Distinguished Schools Program. Rocketship Alma Academy, Rocketship Brilliant Minds, Rocketship Delta Prep, Rocketship Discovery Prep, Rocketship Futuro Academy, Rocketship Los Sueños Academy, Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary, Rocketship Redwood City Prep, Rocketship Rising Stars Academy, and Rocketship Sí Se Puede Academy received this award. Last year, the other three Rocketship California schools were named ‘Distinguished Schools’ by the California Department of Education.

More Rocketship schools in Santa Clara County receive ‘Pivotal Practice’ award than any other district or charter network in the county. Seven Rocketship schools honored are in Santa Clara County, one in San Mateo County, and two are in Contra Costa County.

“Our students’ success is due to the strong partnerships our teachers and school leaders build with our students and parents,” said Maricela Guerrero, Rocketship California Executive Director. “Students are given ownership of their academic progress and goals, and parents are actively engaged in their child’s education and our school communities. This approach creates a positive environment where everyone—students and staff—feel confident and supported. Our students come to school every day knowing great achievements are within their reach.”

727 schools and 121 school districts are being honored for their demonstrated efforts to support students in four target areas: student engagement, distribution of technology, nutrition services, and social emotional well-being of students.

A majority of students at all ten Rocketship schools that received the Pivotal Practice Award are classified as socioeconomically disadvantaged. One pivotal practice highlighted across schools is Rocketship California’s Care Corps program – a new outreach and family support initiative. Started at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, this program provides support for families to fulfill their basic needs such as housing assistance, food security, healthcare, legal services, unemployment services, mental health care, and more. Every Rocketship campus has a full-time staff member dedicated to partnering with parents to not just get referred to services, but navigate local systems, translate as needed, and overcome challenges to get families the support they need.

Published on May 1, 2022