After a year of challenges and achievements, many students throughout the district participated in joyful and affirming in-person graduation ceremonies in early June. As fifth-grade students moved on to middle school, eighth-grade students moved on to high school, and the Class of 2021 celebrated the completion of their BUSD education, families were welcomed back to BUSD campuses to share in these special moments. Students at Berkeley Adult School (BAS) also received high school diplomas in a moving and meaningful event for all involved.

Students pose with their flags at the Class of 2021 Multilingual Program graduation.

(Photo: Mark Coplan)

In total, there were 12 graduations held for the Class of 2021. Student's speeches were inspiring and heartfelt at each ceremony, providing powerful moments of recognition of the commitment and hard work it took on all fronts - by students, educators, and families - to meet every challenge faced by the Class of 2021.

Berkeley High School Principal Juan Raygoza praised the class of 2021 for finding ways to make the most of virtual learning, caring for community members in need during the pandemic, and leading actions in support of Black Lives Matter and against Asian hate as they completed their education. "I'm confident the determination you’ve showed us this year will lead you, and us, to a more just, kind, and brighter future. Thank you and congratulations," he told students.

Graduations were held across BUSD, including at all eleven elementary schools, all three middle schools, and at Berkeley Adult School where many adult students received their high school diploma.

"We are really proud of these students who found the pandemic to be the right time to get back to school and finish their diplomas," said BAS Principal Tom Reid. "It is always a challenge to complete a diploma while juggling work, family and other responsibilities. This year's grads are truly remarkable people!"

Sylvia Mendez Elementary School held a bilingual graduation ceremony, with students and staff delivering comments in English and Spanish.

"Though the world shut down, you were brave enough to continue your commitment to academics in both Spanish and English," said Sylvia Mendez Principal Veronica Valerio. "As you move on to sixth grade, I want you to be brave and show the world you can create a new normal with great acts of love, kindness, respect, beauty, and justice."

Graduation speeches at Sylvia Mendez expressed the many feelings students had about the end of a challenging year, and the beginning of a new phase.

"It is a day full of different emotions. We are excited about the next adventure. We are sad to leave a school we love so much," said Sylvia Mendez graduating 5th grader Angelina Parra.

Berkeley school librarians have put together a list of book recommendations for BUSD students who are ready to find their next favorite summer reading book. The reading list, which has recommendations by grade level (TK - 12th grade), can be found here.

The 2020-21 BUSD Community Report covers the arc of the 2020-21 school year, from distance learning to reopening for in-person learning, and highlights the spirit and resilience of our school community this year. Take a look, and see how our amazing students engaged in public service, created moving performances, and became emerging leaders during this challenging this year.

The first day of school for the 2021-2022 school year is Monday, August 16, 2021.

BUSD is currently developing a new version of our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) for the 2021-2024 school years. Linked here is the current draft of the LCAP for public review and comment. A summary of the draft LCAP was presented to the Board of Education on June 9, and the presentation can be accessed here.

BUSD highly values contributions from parents, staff, and community members. If you would like to comment on the draft LCAP prior to its approval by the Board on June 23rd, please use this survey link.

The community is invited to a Public Hearing for the 2021-2024 LCAP to be held during the June 16 Board of Education meeting. This Public Hearing provides members of the Berkeley community an opportunity to comment on the current draft LCAP prior to its formal approval by the Board on June 23rd.

Here’s how to attend the June 16 School Board meeting and LCAP Public Hearing.

The School Board meeting begins at 7:00 pm. The LCAP Public Hearing will begin at 8:00 pm or after.

At its meeting on January 20, 2021, the Berkeley Unified School District Board of Education directed the Superintendent to develop a plan to engage the Berkeley community on the topic of middle school student enrollment. This engagement plan, originally designed for last year, was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021 community engagement process will include a review of a variety of indicators, including demographic information about BUSD’s three middle schools; outcome information about student learning; and multiple opportunities for educator, caregiver, and community input. The purpose of this seven-month engagement process is to inform the Superintendent’s recommendation to the Board of Education about the middle school student enrollment policy.

The community is invited to attend one of two Middle School Enrollment Policy Informational Community Meetings to learn more about why the middle school enrollment policy is being reviewed and how you will be able to provide input over the next several months.

Join at this link.

Join at this link.

These meetings will be recorded and posted on the BUSD YouTube channel.

All Board meetings are now held via Zoom. Details can be found on our webpage.

School board meeting agendas/materials are posted at least 72 hours before meetings on the School Board Meeting Information page of our website.

Middle School Enrollment Policy Informational Meeting | Details

Middle School Enrollment Policy Informational Meeting in Spanish | Details