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During this time of school dismissal/closure due to COVID-19, Duarte Unified School District is offering free meals for children 18 and under using a drive-thru and walk-up service starting March 23, 2020, through May 4, 2020, on a daily basis Monday - Friday at Andres Duarte Arts Academy, Maxwell Academy, and Royal Oaks STEAM Academy from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Click here for more information.
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Duarte High School Pioneers Yet Another Early College Pathway!
Students that graduate from Duarte Unified School District are highly sought after by esteemed colleges and universities. Our recent graduates are attending top institutions like UCLA, Harvard, and Berkeley, but instead of entering as a freshman, they are years ahead of their college classmates because of the unprecedented Early College Dual Enrollment Degree-Bearing program offered in our district. Duarte High School joined forces with Citrus College in 2009 to establish the first Early College program of its kind in the region. In 2017, we pioneered the only program to offer a four-year pathway resulting in an Associate of Science Degree upon high school graduation. This affords families a cost savings of thousands of dollars in college tuition and provides an accelerated route for students wanting to get a head start on graduate work or entry into their career of choice. Please contact Principal Haro to learn more: Lharo@duarteusd.org, 626-599-5701.
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We Play with Purpose at Duarte Preschool
At Duarte Preschool, our mission is to form a foundation for school readiness and later school success. We currently serve over 180 children on the campuses of Andres Duarte, Beardslee, and Maxwell Academies with a variety of full-day and half-day classes that are free for eligible families as well as fee-based options. You’ll see our children happily at play, but it is purposeful by design as we use a creative curriculum that incorporates research-based approaches like GLAD, STEAM and PBIS. A key component is our focus on parent engagement. The leading early childhood education advocacy nonprofit group Child360 designated Duarte Preschool as a model Early Education program. We also received the honor of being selected as the site for Senator Anthony Portantino’s policy roundtable on early childhood education. Coordinator Valdez shared, “Our program even encompasses nutrition, mental health, and family partnerships to prepare young children for academic and future life success.’’
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$16,000 Grant Awarded to Andres Duarte Arts Academy by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission & LA Arts Ed Collective
Duarte Unified is pleased to announce that the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and LA County Arts Ed Collective have awarded Andres Duarte Arts Academy an Advancement Grant of $16,000 to implement the Artful Connections program for the 2019-20 school year! Artful Connections is delivered by teaching artists from the Armory Center for the Arts who will provide the entire Andres Duarte faculty with arts integration training and support teachers directly in the classroom to provide integrated arts instruction in math and science to students in Grades 2-5. This is the fourth year in a row that Duarte Unified has been awarded this grant to implement the Artful Connections program, which is already in place at Beardslee, Maxwell, Valley View, and Royal Oaks. This grant comes at the perfect time as Andres Duarte is completing adoption of the Leonard Bernstein Foundation’s Artful Learning framework, and the Artful Connections program will serve to further infuse the arts into the school culture.
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Beardslee’s Dual Language Program Expands Due to High Demand
At Beardslee Academy, we provide a Dual Language Spanish-English Immersion program, which has been expanded to include students in TK-3. Every year, we add additional grades until it becomes school-wide. “In our global society, having mastery of a second language is a gift we can and should give our students,” shared Principal Romero. Our program educates English learners and native English speakers together. The outcome is mastery of academic content in both English and Spanish through the 90/10 model. Because we are a K-8 Academy, students will continue to receive dual language instruction in specific subject areas even when they reach middle school. Benefits of the program include promoting bilingualism and bi-literacy, academic achievement, and multi-cultural competence for all students. Third Grade teacher, Cindy Torres shared, “Our students’ ability to be biliterate will open doors when they enter the 21st Century workforce. This will help them have a bright future!”
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Making Global Connections at Maxwell Academy
Since 2014, Maxwell Academy has been authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the Primary Years Program for Grades K-6. Now that we also have Grades 7-8, we are delighted to announce we are a candidate school for the IB Middle Years Program (MYP). This expansion is a welcome opportunity, and it will position our school to offer a specialty, high demand program that is not readily available in this region. At Maxwell Academy, making global connections is a key component of the curriculum. Students receive Mandarin and Spanish instruction, and we augment our students’ learning by having an active international studies program within our district. “The ultimate goal of instruction at Maxwell is to help our learners become inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators who are principled, caring, risk-takers that are balanced and reflective,” shared Principal Lawson.
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Students SOAR at Royal Oaks STEAM Academy
Gaining momentum across the Nation is a research-based approach called Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This framework for creating learning spaces that promote positive behavior and inclusivity for all students was first adopted by Royal Oaks STEAM Academy four years ago. We are thrilled to announce we have received the Silver Medal from the California PBIS Coalition for demonstrating fidelity in implementing the core features. Our teachers, proctors, librarians, custodians, food services staff, and support staff all become PBIS trained. To reinforce clear goals, we have adopted the acronym SOAR - Solve Problems Wisely, Respect Others and Themselves, Maintain a Positive Attitude, and Make Responsible Choices. “It is an honor to receive this recognition. Our PBIS Team leaders, staff and students are to be commended for taking bold measures to make sure our school offers the best learning environment for our students to achieve and succeed,” shared Principal Tamanaha.
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A View Inside Our Academy of Technology & Creative Learning
Valley View Academy has embraced a thematic approach to instruction that focuses on technology and creative learning. Our transformation to a cutting-edge academy is evident from the wide selection of flexible student seating, one-to-one devices, weekly coding sessions, arts integration, and ample creative writing. Students have the freedom of choice in problem-solving and take ownership of their learning. Our programs stimulate students’ STEM skills and help them access the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Two favorites are Mystery Science and Project Lead the Way. “As a former science teacher, I find both to be exciting hands-on applications that provoke students’ thinking and help them connect with the NGSS,” shared Principal Rasmussen. On our campus it’s not uncommon to see student-designed robots commanded from iPads maneuvering through obstacle courses to rid an area of “toxic” waste. It’s no wonder Valley View has been named to the Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll.
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Creating Creators at Mount Olive Innovation & Technology High School
M.I.T. High School provides an alternative setting for students whose needs are better met in a more flexible, personalized, and self-paced program. Our 180 Accelerated Degree program affords students a diploma and industry certifications upon graduation in several emerging Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways. A fifth-year senior graduation program is also available that is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Our partnership with Creating Creators has brought The Cinema Project to M.I.T. Our students learn the craft of film production from industry professionals including actor Goya Robles, and they conduct press interviews at red carpet events like the South East European Film Festival. These opportunities are leading to jobs and internships with prominent Hollywood studios. “Innovation is the name of the game here, and having the support of partners offering real industry experience is a real game-changer for our students’ futures,” shared Principal Morris.
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Duarte High School Home of the Falcons
Duarte High School is an exemplary learning environment, and our students are equipped with 21st Century Skills needed to be successful following graduation in college, career and life. We are known for our Four-Year Early College/Dual Enrollment program in partnership with Citrus College, our STEM opportunities that include Engineer Your World™ developed by the University of Texas and NASA engineers, and Biotechnology courses in partnership with City of Hope whereby students produce authentic research in laboratory settings. Our unique Career Academies provide certifications in the pathways through Precision Exams. We foster a positive school culture and student leadership is valued and developed. Our award-winning VAPA Programs, competitive athletic programs and extra-curricular activities promote school spirit, community service, and pride. “Connecting learners with their passion is the driving force of our school, and we are proud to offer our students a rigorous academic program and engaging learning environment,” shared Principal Haro.
