ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CA – APRIL 10, 2018 – Rowland Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Julie Mitchell announced that Killian Elementary School was named by the California Department of Education as a 2018 California Distinguished School, the state’s highest designation for excellence in education that recognizes California elementary schools that have made exceptional gains in implementing academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
“The Board of Education and I are extremely proud of this outstanding recognition for Killian Elementary that represents the innovative learning taking place across Rowland Unified,” said Mitchell. “Recognitions such as being named a California Distinguished School are made possible through the hard work and dedication of all of our educators and staff, working in partnership with our parents and community. We congratulate everyone for this significant achievement and honor.”
Killian Elementary was selected for work in the area of Small Group Reading Instruction leading to Reader’s Workshop. The instructional focus of reading includes professional development for teachers, instructional practices in the classroom, student support and parent/community connections.
“We are all very excited about being selected as a Distinguished School. The faculty and staff at Killian work diligently to provide an exceptional educational program to all of our students,” said Killian Elementary Principal Karen Magana. Killian Elementary will be honored at the California School Recognition Ceremony on May 3, 2018 in Anaheim.
Killian Elementary is located at 219100 E. Killian Ave. in Rowland Heights. www.killianschool.org Principal: Karen Magana can be reached at (626)964-6409.
After a three-year break, the California Distinguished Schools Program returns and replaces the California Gold Ribbon Schools Program. Killian Elementary is one of 287 elementary schools named as a 2018 California Distinguished School. Schools that applied were eligible based on their performance and progress on the state indicators as described on the California School Dashboard. Information regarding the Dashboard is provided on the California Department of Education (CDE) California Accountability Model and School Dashboard website. Indicators include test scores, suspension rates, and English learner progress. The California Distinguished School Program recognizes elementary and middle and high schools in alternate years and allows eligible schools to apply for the California DS Award once every two years. In 2018 California is recognizing outstanding education programs and practices in elementary schools. Schools recognized as a California DS Awardee hold the DS Title for two years.
The Rowland Unified School District has garnered numerous state and national awards and is proud of its 19 schools with 15,000 students in the communities of Rowland Heights, Walnut, La Puente, City of Industry, and West Covina. More than 5,000 adults (16+) are also served by the Rowland Adult and Community Education School. For more information about Rowland Unified, the community can call (626) 965-2541 or download the free Rowland USD Mobile App for iOS and Android phones/devices that has news, school calendars, a safety Tip Line, and helpful parent and District resources. The public can also follow Rowland schools on Facebook.com/RowlandUSD Twitter @RowlandSchools or visit www.RowlandSchools.org.