Rocketship Public Schools California Awarded Charter School of The Year 

by Rocketship Public Schools

Rocketship Public Schools California has been named the recipient of the California Charter Schools Association’s 2022 Hart Vision School of the Year, North. Rocketship Public Schools California serves 6,500 students in grades TK-5th across 13 elementary schools in San Jose and the greater Bay Area. With a mission to eliminate the achievement gap, Rocketship operates high-quality public charter schools in underserved neighborhoods. Rocketship schools rank in the top 30% of elementary schools in California while serving majority low-income (76%) and English Learner (59%) student populations. Three Rocketship schools were named “Distinguished Schools” by the California Department of Education in 2019, and seven Rocketship schools were ranked as Best Elementary Schools by US News and World Report in 2021.

“Rocketship schools are exemplars not only in our city of San Jose, but across California and the country,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “Rocketship truly serves our community not only through excellent educational results, but through partnering with parents to create systemic change. I am proud that San Jose is the birthplace of Rocketship and look forward to even more success in the future.”

Rocketship Public Schools combine academic excellence with whole child education through a community schools model. Holistic supports, a focus on mental and social emotional health, longer school day and year, and truly partnering with parents make every Rocketship school a community school. Rocketship was one of just 20 programs funded by the California Department of Education to expand or sustain existing community schools and the largest charter network to receive funding. The Care Corps program is a key part of Rocketship’s community schools model. This outreach and family support project consists of one full-time Care Corps Coordinator at each school campus who connects parents to food pantries, helps them access housing resources, facilitates workshops with our mental health providers to help acquaint families with resources in their communities, and more.

“I am proud to lead Rocketship California in our work to unleash the unlimited potential of ALL of our students and to eliminate the achievement gap between low-income students of color and their wealthy peers,” said Rocketship California Executive Director Maricela Guerrero. “Our families, staff, and students have continued to learn and grow during this pandemic and come together as a community to care for each other. We have demonstrated the power and potential of our community. I am thrilled that the California Charter Schools Association recognizes our hard work and results with this award.”

Rocketship Public Schools California operates ten elementary schools in San Jose, one in Redwood City, one in Concord, and one in Antioch, California. Rocketship schools are consistently among the highest performing public elementary schools serving predominantly disadvantaged communities in California.

“Rocketship treats parents as true partners and they understand that a great school is built on strong relationships between families, educators, and the larger community, ” said Yolanda Bernal Samano, a Rocketship parent and member of the Rocketship Board of Directors.

The Hart Vision Awards, established in 1995, are named in honor of Gary K. Hart, retired California State Senator and former California Secretary of Education. While serving as state senator, Hart sponsored the legislation that established California charter schools. The Hart Vision Awards recognizes organizations that serve California students with excellence.

“Rocketship leads the way in innovation, parent advocacy, and care for the community,” said California Charter Schools Association President and CEO Myrna Castrejón. “For fifteen years, Rocketship has forged a new path for excellence in California charter schools. I am proud to recognize their work with this prestigious award.”

Published on March 21, 2022