SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) recognized the work and achievements of exceptional charter public schools, leaders, and advocates with the prestigious Hart Vision Equity and Innovation Awards at the 2023 California Charter Schools Conference. This new award is presented to schools and education leaders who have a demonstrated record of outstanding achievements of serving all students and in furthering California's charter public school movement.
Three charter public schools were awarded for their schoolwide commitment to equity and the outcomes for all students. Schools honored with this award have programs or practices that ensure all kids are represented, supported, and included; are closing opportunity gaps; or support students in innovative ways that serve as a model for the larger education community. The Hart Vision Equity and Innovation Leader of the Year award is reserved for leaders who further charter equity and innovation by uniting others, ensuring charters are represented/included in local and state opportunities, advocating for equity at systemic levels, or through leadership, mentorship and the sharing of best practices to positively shape the larger public charter school community.
“I am very proud of this inaugural class of Hart Vision Equity and Innovation Award winners. Each have shown that they are making tremendous impacts on not just the charter public school community, but public education on the whole,” said CCSA President and CEO Myrna Castrejón. “Equity and innovation are the hallmark of the charter public school movement. Today’s award winners are the embodiment of the promise of charters. They serve as shining examples of late Senator Gary K. Hart’s vision when he fought to establish in law a vision for California’s charter public school movement more than three decades ago.”
CCSA produced a special video series featuring the organizations and educators who received this year’s awards. Please click on the links to learn about those award winners.
The recipients of the 2023 Hart Vision Equity and Innovation Awards are:
Schools of the Year
Renaissance Arts Academy, Los Angeles
James Jordan Middle School, Reseda
Leader of the Year
Shara Hegde, Alpha Public Schools, San Jose
The Hart Vision awards were established in 1995 in honor of former California State Senator and Secretary of Education Gary K. Hart, author of the Charter Schools Act of 1992.
About the California Charter Schools Association
The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community need for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools. Learn more.
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