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.
![Nurturing Hearts, Inspiring Minds: RCSD Counseling Services Honored with the 2025 Golden Bell Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759693808/rcsdk8net/fwqoa0cwfpxk8rmbjvno/NurturingHeartsInspiringMindsRCSDCounselingServicesHonoredwiththe2025GoldenBellAward.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759693808/rcsdk8net/fwqoa0cwfpxk8rmbjvno/NurturingHeartsInspiringMindsRCSDCounselingServicesHonoredwiththe2025GoldenBellAward.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1759693808/rcsdk8net/fwqoa0cwfpxk8rmbjvno/NurturingHeartsInspiringMindsRCSDCounselingServicesHonoredwiththe2025GoldenBellAward.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1759693808/rcsdk8net/fwqoa0cwfpxk8rmbjvno/NurturingHeartsInspiringMindsRCSDCounselingServicesHonoredwiththe2025GoldenBellAward.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759693808/rcsdk8net/fwqoa0cwfpxk8rmbjvno/NurturingHeartsInspiringMindsRCSDCounselingServicesHonoredwiththe2025GoldenBellAward.png","width":1500}])
This award recognizes RCSD’s trauma-informed, student-centered approach that helps students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Counseling Services play an important role in meeting RCSD’s LCAP Goal One to Strengthen Social Emotional Support and School Climate by working to ensure that every student feels supported, safe, and connected at school.
![2025 State Recognition Shines on North Star Academy’s Continued Excellence]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753992684/rcsdk8net/bcwlenoqhansenso1oqs/2025StateRecognitionShinesonNorthStarAcademysContinuedExcellence.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753992684/rcsdk8net/bcwlenoqhansenso1oqs/2025StateRecognitionShinesonNorthStarAcademysContinuedExcellence.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753992684/rcsdk8net/bcwlenoqhansenso1oqs/2025StateRecognitionShinesonNorthStarAcademysContinuedExcellence.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1753992684/rcsdk8net/bcwlenoqhansenso1oqs/2025StateRecognitionShinesonNorthStarAcademysContinuedExcellence.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753992684/rcsdk8net/bcwlenoqhansenso1oqs/2025StateRecognitionShinesonNorthStarAcademysContinuedExcellence.png","width":1500}])
North Star Academy is earning fresh praise from California’s and San Mateo County’s top education leaders. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and San Mateo County Superintendent Nancy Magee publicly recognized the school this year for its continued academic excellence as a 2025 California Distinguished School.
![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.
![Gryphons Soar as a 2025 California Distinguished School]([{"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.
![Schools Named Peninsula ‘Family Favorites’. Four Schools Win Bay Area Awards]([{"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.
![Empowered Learners: Beyond the Classroom Walls Thanks to Teacher Encouragement and Support]([{"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.