2 Temecula Elementary Schools Named Apple Distinguished Schools: 2023

Two Temecula Valley Unified School District elementary schools were named Apple Distinguished Schools this month, recognized by Apple as distinguished schools for their continuous innovation in learning, teaching, and the school environment.

Both Abby Reinke Elementary School and Vail Elementary School were recognized in Apple's Distinguished Schools project after completing a rigorous application process, according to TVUSD spokesperson James Evans. Each school will be recognized at Friday flag ceremonies in December. Principals and students from Abby Reinke Elementary School and Vail Elementary School will be honored at the next board meeting.

"Schools all over the world are using iPads and Macs to teach transformative lessons and activities, no matter where students are learning," a spokesperson from the Apple program wrote on the website. "As teachers incorporate technology into their lessons, they empower students to be self-directed and collaborative learners."

According to James Evans, spokesperson for the Temecula Valley Unified School District, both elementary schools completed a rigorous application process.

Principal Natalie Waddell spoke on how the school evolved from just having four iPad carts in 2019 to adding to iPads in every classroom by 2023. Students at Abby Reinke and Vail Elementary School use iPads and smart technology to interact and collaborate on projects in and outside the classroom. Kids use their iPads to research and design video presentations, and teachers use the tech to share ideas and inspire one another.

At Abby Reinke, Waddell and a core group of teachers grew the technology advances at the school and figured out ways to further incorporate new learning methods in the classroom. Now, students are coding, creating, and collaborating as never before, Waddell said. "Our mission is for all of our students to thrive each day, both academically, socially, and emotionally," she said.

They are among 888 total institutions from 37 countries across the globe. These two join the 37 schools across the Golden State to earn the honor of schools that are making a technological and inspirational impact with both teachers and students, according to the program.

In California, a total of 37 schools are on the Apple Distinguished School list:

1. Abby Reinke Elementary School, Temecula
2. California iInspire Academy, Orange
3. Cathedral Catholic High School, San Diego
4. Condit Elementary School, Claremont
5. Fairmont Elementary School, Sanger
6. Gallatin Elementary School, Downey
7. Garces Memorial High School, Bakersfield
8. Gauldin Elementary School, Downey
9. Hillbrook School, Los Gatos
10. Imperial Elementary School, Downey
11. Jim Maples Academy, Porterville
12. Lewis Elementary School, Downey
13. Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana
14. McKinna Elementary School, Oxnard
15. Merryhill Elementary School, Roseville
16. Merryhill Elementary School, Sacramento
17. Notre Dame High School, Riverside
18. Old River School, Downey
19. Rio San Gabriel Elementary School, Downey
20. Riverdale Tech Academy, Garden Grove
21. Robert C. Fisler School, Fullerton
22. San Antonio High School, Claremont
23. St. John's Lutheran School, Orange
24. Summit Charter Academy Lombardi Campus, Porterville
25. Summit Charter Academy Mathew Campus, Porterville
26. Summit Charter Collegiate Academy, Porterville
27. T.H.E. Leadership Academy, Oceanside
28. The Bay School of San Francisco, San Francisco
29. The Hamlin School, San Francisco
30. The King's Academy, Sunnyvale
31. The Rhoades School, Encinitas
32. Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Compton
33. Unsworth Elementary School, Downey
34. Vail Elementary School, Temecula
35. Valencia Park Elementary School, Fullerton
36. William R. Buckley, Porterville
37. Williams Elementary School, Downey