MCAA was also recently recognized as a 2021 California Distinguished School by State Superintendent Thurmond

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that the Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts (MCAA) was one of 33 California schools selected for the California Exemplary Arts Education Award.

These schools engage students in quality arts education that meet California Arts Standards for Public Schools and demonstrate progress on indicators on the California School Dashboard. The awards are designed to celebrate successful efforts to engage students in arts through exposure to a variety of disciplines.

“This year has been especially challenging for our students and schools, but I commend these schools for recognizing that this is a time when the arts are more critical than ever,” State Superintendent Thurmond said. “These schools excelled in providing quality arts education, despite all the obstacles presented by distance learning. It is with great pleasure we honor these schools for their steadfast dedication to arts education that plays a powerful role in supporting wellness, bridging social divides, and expanding creativity and critical thinking in our students.”

In addition to meeting the Arts Standards and Dashboard eligibility criteria, to apply to be recognized as an Exemplary Arts Awardee, schools must offer sequenced instruction to all students in a minimum of three of the five arts disciplines identified in the Arts Standards: Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts.

MCAA was also recently recognized as a 2021 California Distinguished School by State Superintendent Thurmond. In his press release Thurmond noted, “The Distinguished Schools Program recognizes schools for their excellent work in one of two categories: closing the achievement gap and achieving exceptional student performance.” Referencing the local school specifically, Thurmond said, “Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts in Marysville Joint Unified (Yuba County) improved 15 points or more on the Mathematics indicator for socioeconomically disadvantaged students, Hispanic students, and all students, according to data on the California Dashboard. After studying their data, school leaders recognized all subgroups needed improvement in math, with Hispanic students furthest from meeting the standard. To help increase math scores,school leaders increased professional learning opportunities, implemented staff mentoring, held staff and student tutoring, and provided professional development in math pedagogy.

MCAA is a free, public, charter school serving students in grades 7-12. The Academy still has openings in most grade levels for the 2021-22 school year. Instruction beginning in August 2021 will be full time and in person with a distance learning option available. Contact the school office at (530) 749-6157 for more information or visit the school website at www.charter.mjusd.com.