The Poway Unified School District is proud to recognize the 2024 Inclusive Practices Schools of Excellence for their continued work in demonstrating growth in inclusive education practices for each and every learner. PUSD schools at all grade levels were invited to apply for the award and recognition. Each school’s application highlighted work in inclusion and was followed by site visits by school officials and members of the Inclusive Practices Advisory Board, who then made the final selections. As part of the Inclusive Practices Program, students with special needs have been incorporated into general education classrooms with their peers. Some of those classes work on a co-teaching model, with more than one teacher in the classroom for all students.
Interim Superintendent Greg Mizel shared, "I am very thankful for the progress the schools selected as 2024 Inclusive Practices Schools of Excellence have made improving the learning experience for our students with disabilities. Whether by implementing the principles of universal design for learning, increasing in-class support options for students, or by expanding co-teaching and collaboratively taught classes, staff at each of the schools earning this recognition have created more equitable opportunities for students to learn in the least restrictive environment. The work of inclusion opens up pathways to increased opportunities, it honors the diversity of our learners while fostering within them a greater sense of belonging, voice, and agency." Congratulations to all!
Bernardo Heights Middle School has been selected as a PUSD 2024 Inclusive Practices School of Excellence! This award is in recognition of their dedication to "Innovating Access" by intentionally designing sustainable systems of inclusivity at their school. It is appreciated to see, as a previous recipient, how staff, teachers, and administrators continue to look at their systems to evaluate and reflect with an improvement lens. The prioritization of Teacher and Instructional Assistant collaborations and professional learning to support the work is evidenced by 34 out of 42 core general education teachers participating in a Co-Taught or Collab section, and the most Instructional Assistants participating in professional development out of any other school in PUSD.
Garden Road Elementary School has been selected as a PUSD 2024 Inclusive Practices School of Excellence! This award is in recognition of their dedication to "Innovating Access" by intentionally designing sustainable systems of inclusivity at their school. Garden Road's master schedule and WIN Time are evidence of meeting every student with their "just right" instruction.
Meadowbrook Middle School has been selected as a PUSD 2024 Inclusive Practices School of Excellence! This award is in recognition of their dedication to "Connecting Mindsets" by prioritizing, anticipating and embracing learner variability at their school. Common prep periods for Co-Taught partnerships allow time to create lessons which embrace learner variability, and Instructional Assistants are active participants in professional learning to support their collab sections.
Oak Valley Middle School has been selected as a PUSD 2024 Inclusive Practices School of Excellence! This award is in recognition of their dedication to "Owning It" by redefining the “PoWAY” and creating an inclusive culture and learning community. They are “Owning It” with the most growth of co-taught/collab sections across the district. One area of special recognition is the importance and value of Instructional Assistants throughout the campus. Oak Valley has created an environment where staff recognize and value the work of Instructional Assistants and time is prioritized for their professional learning and development.
Sundance Elementary School has been selected as a PUSD 2024 Inclusive Practices School of Excellence! This award is in recognition of their dedication to "Connecting Mindsets" by prioritizing, anticipating and embracing learner variability at their school. Principal, teacher, and classified staff leadership in moving the needle has been standout and creating access points for learners with Extensive Support Needs is evident.