Barnard announces new partnership with the Beijing Royal School

As students and staff settle into their new location in Pacific Beach, Barnard Asian Pacific Language Academy continues to make connections across the globe.

Beijing Royal School Principal Wang

Barnard recently announced a collaboration with a new sister school, the Beijing Royal School, an elite institution in China that prepares students in grades 6-12 for entrance into the world’s top universities. Beijing Royal is the fifth sister school for Barnard, who also collaborates with two other schools in China, one in South Korea and one in Taiwan.

The relationship between the two schools started last year with the help of former district Chief of Staff Bernie Rhinerson, who visited the school, and several members of the College Board. Barnard principal Eddie Park and Beijing Royal School Principal Wang have been working this summer to determine what the partnership will entail.

For more information on the programs at Barnard Elementary, contact Principal Eddie Park at 858-800-5700.

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Congratulations to Kearny Business, Mt. Everest, Health Sciences Charter: they’re ‘Distinguished’

The Kearny High School of International Business is a California Distinguished School for the second time in four years, joining independent study oriented Mt. Everest Academy and charter Health Sciences High on the 2013 list released Thursday by the California Department of Education.

The state makes the awards to middle and high schools on odd-numbered years, elementary schools on even-numbered years. For a list of past San Diego Unified winners go to the district's Awards and Distinctions section.

"Each of the students, principal, staff, parents, volunteers and the entire school community should be saluted for excellent work," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "This is exciting news for each of these campuses."

The 2013 California Distinguished Schools Program directly focuses on the right of California’s students to an equitable and rigorous education, and recognizes those schools that have made progress in narrowing the academic achievement gap, according to State Superintendent Tom Torlakson.

“These schools have gone the extra mile to provide high-quality instruction that puts their students on the right path toward career and college,” Torlakson said. “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 California Department of Education (CDE) invites them to apply to be recognized as a California Distinguished School.

The application process consists of a written application, which includes a comprehensive description of two of the school's signature practices, and a county-led site validation review process, which validates the implementation of those signature practices.

For more information, visit the California Department of Education website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/

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