Standard School District, Bakersfield City Awarded with Coveted Golden Bells

The California School Boards Association’s Golden Bell Awards program has long been a tribute to the innovation, dedication, and excellence found in California’s public schools. For 45 years, these awards have recognized programs and individuals transforming the educational landscape and fostering equity and opportunity for all students. At the annual award ceremony held earlier this month, Standard School District and Bakersfield City School District were among California’s esteemed honorees.  

The Explore Program, which earned Standard an award in the Expanded Learning and Engagement category, was born out of a clear and pressing need: to close the opportunity gap for low-income families.

“It’s a lifeline for so many of our students, offering them the chance to discover their passions, build essential life skills, and dream bigger,” said David Stricker, executive director of expanded learning & community partnerships with Standard School District.

The program offers more than 850 additional hours of learning annually beyond traditional after-school care. It combines academic support, social-emotional learning, and physical activity with unique enrichment activities like robotics, cooking classes, STEAM investigations, and fencing. The program also includes athletics, Saturday camps, and summer camps, ensuring that learning and engagement don’t end when the school bell rings.

“The program offers diverse extracurricular activities promoting physical health and personal growth,”  explained Standard’s Board President Vanessa Mazer. “Extended hours support families who cannot afford daycare, offering a safe environment for children after school.”

At its core, Explore fosters leadership, creativity, and collaboration, while offering children a safe, supportive environment. For a community where 88 percent of students have limited access to enrichment opportunities, this program is transformative.

Explore students have shown lower suspension rates, reduced chronic absenteeism, and increased daily attendance. For many, the program has become a key motivator for coming to school. Families praise its ability to support academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and physical well-being. As a result, participation soared from just over 1,200 students in 2022-2023 to more than 1,800 students in 2023-2024.

“We are proud of the positive impact this program has on our students and families,” Mazer added.

The district is eager to shares its best practices with others interested in adopting similar programs. Site walkthroughs allow other educators to see firsthand how Explore operates, from its safety protocols, teacher training modules, and dynamic activities.

“Winning the Golden Bell Award reinforces the importance of our work. It motivates us to push even further in closing opportunity gaps and ensuring every student has access to quality expanded learning experiences,” Stricker said.

Meanwhile at BCSD, the district was honored for its attendance and re-engagement strategies at Compton Junior High. Through home visits, mentoring, and a personalized approach, Compton reduced chronic absenteeism by nearly 50 percent and increased daily attendance to 94.4 percent in just two years.

“Compton Jr. High School is redefining personal relationships with its students and families by creating a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment where students can shine,” said BCSD Superintendent Mark Luque.

The awards ceremony also paid tribute to individual leaders, including Lillian Tafoya, a retiring board member from BCSD, who received the Golden Gavel Award for her 28 years of exemplary service.