2024 L.A. County Golden Bell Winners

Curriculum and Instruction — Visual and Performing Arts

ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL

ARTS FOR ALL: “Unlocking Student Potential through the Arts”

Lowell Joint Elementary School District, Jordan Elementary School, El Portal ES, Macy ES, Meadow Green ES, Olita ES, Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate

The Lowell Joint ARTS for ALL: “Unlocking Student Potential Through the Arts” is a comprehensive elementary and junior high arts program that is data driven with a laser focus on its goals: 1) engaging students in a program that helps them discover the passion within, 2) discovering and fostering a “school family” and a place to belong, which will carry them through to high school and post-secondary education, and 3) connecting each student with a positive school mentor who speaks life into them. ARTS for ALL includes all six branches of the arts: Instrumental, Theater, Choral, Dance, Fine Art and Media Production and includes all TK-8 students.

Family and Community Engagement

DISTRICTWIDE

Pomona Health Career Ladder

Pomona Unified School District in partnership with Western University of Health Sciences

Pomona USD, in partnership with Western University of Health Sciences, built a health sciences, multi-tiered career pathway for grades preK-12 in order to meet the ongoing employment demands in the health care industry. What began as one sixth grade class of 30 students has now become a sophisticated enterprise serving over 400 participants, expanding beyond the City of Pomona, and resulting in multiple alumni becoming optometrists and nurses.

DISTRICTWIDE

LLCSD Family Resource Center

Little Lake City Elementary School District

The Little Lake Family Resource Center (FRC) was initiated in 2020 to assist the most vulnerable students and families in the district. The FRC provides a tiered system of support for McKinney-Vento, foster youth and newcomer students and their families with the goal of removing barriers, increasing stability for students and creating lifelong learners. Over the past year, the FRC has impacted 928 students and families, making it a vital component of the Little Lake City SD community.

Integrated Career Pathways Education

HIGH SCHOOL

Compton Goes to College!

Compton Unified School District, Centennial High School, Compton HS, Dominguez HS, Early College HS

The Compton Goes to College! program was created in 2015 to increase college access and equity and to eliminate social inequities for the Compton community. Since its inception, it has changed the lifelong trajectories of many students, increasing graduation rates by over 30 percent. Similarly, when comparing the program to its baseline year, this past graduating class alone took 1,800 more Advanced Placement courses and 3,600 college courses, while also being admitted to 324 and 263 more University of California and California State University schools, respectively.

Professional Learning

COUNTYWIDE

Getting Reading Right

Los Angeles County Office of Education

Los Angeles COE’s Reading/Language Arts Unit is the developer of Getting Reading Right, a comprehensive, dynamic and engaging online professional learning opportunity for educators to understand and apply the research and pedagogy behind the science of reading, in order to build and sustain effective Tier 1 reading programs. This training has served as a catalyst for change across California and ensured that both teachers and students have equitable access to the research and strategies needed for proficient reading.

Reducing Barriers through Inclusive, Equitable Resource Distribution and Opportunities

HIGH SCHOOL

Early College Academy

Glendale Unified School District, Hoover High School

The Early College Academy (ECA) at Hoover High School in Glendale USD is an innovative program for high school students to earn a diploma while also completing up to two years of college while still in high school. This saves students and families both time and money as students complete most or all of the transfer requirements from the community college to a four-year university.

MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL

Unified Sports

Downey Unified School District, Warren High School, Columbus HS, Doty Middle School, Griffiths MS, Stauffer MS, Downey Adult Transition

The commitment of Downey USD’s (DUSD) Board of Education to creating a sense of belonging for every student is evidenced in the district’s Unified Sports program. Launched in 2008 with Teen Connection at Warren High School, Unified Sports has continued to grow within the district. The program includes Unified Basketball, Cheerleading and Track and Field, enabling students with and without disabilities to excel together. Warren High achieved Special Olympics National Banner status in 2019, with ESPN recognition for social inclusion. DUSD plans to continue expanding Unified Sports and enhance equitable practices across more campuses, underscoring the importance of inclusion for students with exceptional needs.

Social/Emotional Health/Wellness

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Students Run Los Angeles (SRLA) Program

Los Nietos School District, Los Nietos Middle School STEAM Academy

SRLA is impacting students’ futures one mile at a time! Students build endurance and confidence as they learn the importance of training and goal-setting. Outcomes include a greater sense of achievement and belonging in school, continued participation in athletics in high school and improved physical and mental health. Since 2005, hundreds of SRLA students have left Los Nietos Middle School knowing they have conquered a marathon and they can persevere through whatever else life throws at them.

Special Education

HIGH SCHOOL

Colt Outfitters

Covina-Valley Unified School District, Covina High School

Colt Outfitters is an innovative, student-run thrift store that revolutionizes sustainable fashion while offering invaluable hands-on experience for students. The store provides a curated selection of affordable, high-quality second-hand clothing, with a focus on inclusivity and workability. Colt Outfitters creates meaningful work opportunities for students with moderate to severe disablities who sort and tag clothes, manage inventory, assist customers and participate in marketing efforts, gaining practical skills and confidence. The store is equipped with adaptive tools and technologies, and experienced mentors are available to provide support. Colt Outfitters not only fosters sustainable practices but also empowers students by building their skills, independence and self-confidence, making a lasting impact on both the environment and the community.

Student Engagement and Empowerment

DISTRICTWIDE

Student Voice

Rowland Unified School District

Students in Rowland USD are empowered to guide decision-making in meaningful ways. Starting with focus groups nine years ago, the student voice process has evolved to ensure each student group shares their experiences and informs district goals. Students partner with leaders to review data, develop focus group questions and provide input on what’s working and what needs to be improved. Authentic feedback provides direction for ongoing updates to district and site actions.

MULTILEVEL/DISTRICTWIDE

Restorative Justice Youth Court

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

Hacienda La Puente USD’s Restorative Justice Youth Court was established in 2017 as a proactive approach to addressing discipline issues for middle and high school students. Facilitated by the Office of Student and Family Services, Youth Court provides meaningful support and other means of correction to address behavior. Case hearings allow respondents to accept accountability, engage with a jury of their peers and reflect on their actions. Student jurors strengthen leadership skills and cultivate empathy through impartially adjudicating cases with the support of an adult judge.

Student Support Services

HIGH SCHOOL

Independent City Program

Antelope Valley Union High School District, Antelope Valley High School, Eastside HS, Highland HS, William Pete Knight HS, Lancaster HS, Littlerock HS, Palmdale HS, Quartz Hill HS, SOAR HS, Desert Winds HS, R. Rex Parris HS, Phoenix HS, Desert Pathways, Academies of the Antelope Valley, SOAR Prep, Knight Prep

Independent City (IC) is a mock city where foster youth and McKinney-Vento students simulate emancipation and living on their own. In the last nine years, over 1,000 youth have successfully navigated IC while learning the importance of education, how to balance a budget and what resources are available to help them live independently. The district uses proprietors from local businesses to work as bankers, real estate agents, loan officers, retail clerks and government officials in order to make the city as realistic as possible.