Our Gryphon Pride
Welcome to Gryphon Pride, the awards page of North Star Academy, where we proudly showcase the numerous accolades earned by our students, teachers, and support staff.
Part of the Redwood City School District (RCSD), North Star Academy is celebrated for creating a safe and supportive, inspirational and rigorous, joyful and inclusive environment for all learners, embodying our district mission in every achievement. This curated space features our latest honors, updated regularly to highlight the ongoing excellence within our community. We invite you to visit frequently to discover the latest recognitions that reflect RCSD's commitment to educational excellence and innovation.
![Word Up! North Star Students Make a Wordy Debut]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1748808574/rcsdk8net/fvmk9g32ktdpb6xwmo6o/WordUpNorthStarStudentsMakeaWordyDebut.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1748808574/rcsdk8net/fvmk9g32ktdpb6xwmo6o/WordUpNorthStarStudentsMakeaWordyDebut.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1748808574/rcsdk8net/fvmk9g32ktdpb6xwmo6o/WordUpNorthStarStudentsMakeaWordyDebut.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1748808574/rcsdk8net/fvmk9g32ktdpb6xwmo6o/WordUpNorthStarStudentsMakeaWordyDebut.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1748808574/rcsdk8net/fvmk9g32ktdpb6xwmo6o/WordUpNorthStarStudentsMakeaWordyDebut.png","width":1500}])
North Star Academy fifth graders Calvin and Aarav represented their school at the national tournament, becoming the first Gryphons to reach this level of competition.
![2025 California Distinguished School Seal]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745267096/rcsdk8net/z321dzdx3z6ymvzvlebe/GryphonsSoarasa2025CaliforniaDistinguishedSchool.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745267096/rcsdk8net/z321dzdx3z6ymvzvlebe/GryphonsSoarasa2025CaliforniaDistinguishedSchool.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1745267096/rcsdk8net/z321dzdx3z6ymvzvlebe/GryphonsSoarasa2025CaliforniaDistinguishedSchool.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1745267096/rcsdk8net/z321dzdx3z6ymvzvlebe/GryphonsSoarasa2025CaliforniaDistinguishedSchool.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745267096/rcsdk8net/z321dzdx3z6ymvzvlebe/GryphonsSoarasa2025CaliforniaDistinguishedSchool.png","width":1500}])
Just 336 schools were selected this year by analyzing data reported through the 2024 California School Dashboard. The prestigious school recognition program honors two categories of exceptional schools: those Closing the Achievement Gap and those demonstrating Exceptional Student Performance.
![A group of students working together]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1723581633/rcsdk8net/si2zhrurnszfufgm3qgc/choolsNamedPeninsulaFamilyFavoritesFourSchoolsWinBayAreaAwards.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1723581633/rcsdk8net/si2zhrurnszfufgm3qgc/choolsNamedPeninsulaFamilyFavoritesFourSchoolsWinBayAreaAwards.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1723581633/rcsdk8net/si2zhrurnszfufgm3qgc/choolsNamedPeninsulaFamilyFavoritesFourSchoolsWinBayAreaAwards.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1723581633/rcsdk8net/si2zhrurnszfufgm3qgc/choolsNamedPeninsulaFamilyFavoritesFourSchoolsWinBayAreaAwards.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1723581633/rcsdk8net/si2zhrurnszfufgm3qgc/choolsNamedPeninsulaFamilyFavoritesFourSchoolsWinBayAreaAwards.png","width":1500}])
Each year, Bay Area Parent magazine holds a reader’s choice survey asking parents and guardians to nominate the best of the best across several categories.
![Mandarin Immersion student winners holding their trophies]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1714432662/rcsdk8net/z6djpqezvcu5g9xovjdr/NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics91.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1714432662/rcsdk8net/z6djpqezvcu5g9xovjdr/NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics91.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1714432662/rcsdk8net/z6djpqezvcu5g9xovjdr/NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics91.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1714432662/rcsdk8net/z6djpqezvcu5g9xovjdr/NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics91.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1714432662/rcsdk8net/z6djpqezvcu5g9xovjdr/NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics91.png","width":1500}])
Redwood City School District (RCSD) students, with support of their families and teachers, are demonstrating a love of learning and a passion for excellence in numerous contests and activities outside of the regular school day.
![A group picture of North Star, RCSD, and SMCOE representatives]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1688591621/rcsdk8net/hqyoyn0zfa1kskceobrw/NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics16.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1688591621/rcsdk8net/hqyoyn0zfa1kskceobrw/NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics16.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1688591621/rcsdk8net/hqyoyn0zfa1kskceobrw/NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics16.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1688591621/rcsdk8net/hqyoyn0zfa1kskceobrw/NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics16.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1688591621/rcsdk8net/hqyoyn0zfa1kskceobrw/NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics16.png","width":1500}])
The California Department of Education (CDE) selected North Star Academy as a California Distinguished School.
![Taft School Mental Health Counselor leads a social-emotional lesson]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1678994544/rcsdk8net/kdllblgdj5vwxpilmohm/Smore-NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics38.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1678994544/rcsdk8net/kdllblgdj5vwxpilmohm/Smore-NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics38.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1678994544/rcsdk8net/kdllblgdj5vwxpilmohm/Smore-NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics38.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1678994544/rcsdk8net/kdllblgdj5vwxpilmohm/Smore-NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics38.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1678994544/rcsdk8net/kdllblgdj5vwxpilmohm/Smore-NewsletterandWebsiteGraphics38.png","width":1500}])
The Collaborative, initiated in 2020, has proved to be highly successful in expanding school mental health support and delivery. With the implementation of this partnership, at least 75 percent of Redwood City School District (RCSD) students indicate they now feel comfortable speaking with a counselor, recognize their school counselor, and know where to go to access counseling on campus. Accomplishments of this strategic alliance most recently earned a 2023 Stanford Community Partnership Award.