The Goddard School of Ladera Ranch Earns National Recognition as 21st Century Learning Exemplar

Ladera Ranch, Ca October 21, 2016 - P21, The Partnership for 21st Century Learning, designated The Goddard School as an exemplar school for 2016-2017. The Goddard School received this honor for exemplary 21st century learning practices in preparing students for success in college, career, and life.

P21’s 21st Century Learning Exemplar Program searches for and shares the stories of schools and districts that have successfully transformed student learning through innovative practices such as distributed leadership and community partnerships.

Michael Smithers, Owner of the Goddard School of Ladera Ranch states “we are very excited to be offering Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in a preschool environment. Our parents are blown away by what their students are able to do, comprehend, collaborate and share. Our students connect to their outside world and we are proud to provide a high quality environment.”

“All learners deserve to grow in a 21st Century Learning environment,” stated Dr. Helen Soulé, P21 Executive Director. “It is P21’s vision for the innovative practices in education exhibited by all P21 Exemplars to be replicated across the country and world.”

California State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson recognizes the significance of The Goddard School being honored as a P21 Exemplar, stating that it “is a tribute to our state’s continued efforts to make great strides in preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities of 21st century careers and college.”

In the Spring of 2017, a case study on The Goddard School and other 2016-2017 P21 Exemplars will be released and available at www.p21.org/exemplars.

P21 recognizes that all learners need educational experiences in school and beyond, from cradle to career, to build knowledge and skills for success in a globally and digitally interconnected world. Representing over 5 million members of the global workforce, P21 is a catalyst organization uniting business, government and education leaders from the U.S. and abroad to advance evidence-based education policy and practice and to make innovative teaching and learning a reality for all. Learn more at www.p21.org and @P21Learning

P21 Members: American Camp Association, American Federation of Teachers, AT&T, Crayola, CreativeFuture, Destination Imagination, EF Education First, Education Networks of America, eLearning Solutions, Faber-Castell, First Five Years Fund, Fisher-Price, Ford Motor Company Fund, Future Problem Solving Program International, Goddard Systems Inc., Intel Corporation, Learning.com, LEGO Education, METEN, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, National Education Association, National Speech and Debate Association, PBS, Pearson, People to People International, Playworld, Project Management Institute Educational Foundation, Qatar Foundation International, SKT Platform, VIF International Education, and The Walt Disney Company

P21 Leaderships States: Arizona, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin

P21 media contact:
Lizzette Arias, 202-750-1362

School/district media contact:
Michael Smithers – 949-218-6200

School/district overview:
Michael Smithers – 949-218-6200

This release was published on openPR.