It currently operates eight elementary schools and two middle schools, serving over 6,600 students in kindergarten through eighth grades. Four elementary and two middle schools have been recognized by the California School Recognition Program as State Distinguished Schools. These habits of mind are strengthened through a hands-on, inquiry based science program that capitalizes upon and enhances the natural curiosity and sense of wonder possessed by each student. Beckman Science Incentive Grant Funds will be used to build the capacity of staff, parents, and community partners to facilitate a student-centered program that is rich in resources, ground in sound learning theory, integrated across the curriculum, and includes a balance of life, earth and physical science experiences. The Irvine Unified School District has twenty-two elementary schools, five middle schools, four comprehensive high schools, and one continuation high school.
Class size is reduced in the first, second, third, and ninth grades.
Every student in fourth through sixth grade receives 100 minutes per week of instruction in science by a science specialist. This program has received national recognition from the Ohaus Corporation and the National Science Teachers Association. The mission of the Irvine Unified School District is to provide the highest possible educational experience we can envision for our students and to enable all students to become contributing members of society empowered with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to meet the challenges of a changing world. The Beckman Education Incentive Grant is being used to enhance our hands-on instruction in science in the primary grades. The district has a Beckman Teacher Leader that serves as a liaison between the Beckman program and the grade-level lead teachers at each school site in the district.