Ruth Acty Elementary School, formerly known as Jefferson Elementary, stands as a beacon of community and academic excellence in Berkeley, California. This transformation to Ruth Acty Elementary, officially recognized on December 9, 2020, reflects a commitment to honoring impactful figures and embracing a future-focused educational environment. The name “Acty” itself has become synonymous with a school deeply rooted in partnership and dedicated to nurturing every student’s potential.
At the heart of Ruth Acty Elementary’s success is the strong partnership between the dedicated school staff and involved parents and guardians. This collaborative spirit is the cornerstone of the Acty approach, ensuring the school effectively addresses the diverse needs of its vibrant community. Each family quickly becomes an integral part of the larger Ruth Acty community, a feature consistently highlighted as one of the school’s greatest strengths. This commitment to excellence has been publicly recognized; in 2010, Ruth Acty was honored as a “California Distinguished School” for its outstanding achievements in boosting outcomes for all students. Building on this success, in 2011, the school received the prestigious Title One Award for Academic Achievement, further solidifying Ruth Acty’s reputation for educational excellence. The core belief at Ruth Acty is that every student possesses remarkable potential and creativity, and the school’s unwavering goal is to unlock and cultivate this potential in every learner.
Every day at Ruth Acty Elementary is designed to be enriching and memorable. From engaging classroom activities to lively playground interactions, the school program is carefully crafted to resonate with diverse student cultures and individual learning styles, fostering both creativity and academic success. A cherished bi-monthly tradition at Ruth Acty is the morning assembly. These gatherings bring together students and staff to celebrate community through singing, student performances, and engaging guest performers. Assemblies always begin with uplifting music and song, followed by the enthusiastic recitation of the school chant, “Our School ROCKS,” an acronym standing for Respect, Open Hearts and Minds, Courage, and Kindness. Ruth Acty is deeply committed to recognizing each child’s accomplishments, striving to create a positive and encouraging atmosphere. The school believes that students flourish when they feel valued and honored for their unique talents and contributions.
Beyond the regular school day, Ruth Acty offers a wealth of after-school opportunities. The Ruth Acty Afterschool Zone (JAZ) program provides a safe and engaging environment until 6:00 pm, offering a wide range of fun, stimulating activities alongside academic support. The active PTA further enriches the after-school experience by organizing diverse classes such as Chess, Book Arts, Photography, Spanish, Mandarin, Mad Science, and Ceramics, catering to a broad spectrum of interests. The East Bay Center for the Performing Arts (EBCPA) enhances the school’s artistic offerings by providing high-quality, affordable individualized music instruction right at the school every Wednesday afternoon. Ruth Acty teachers also play a key role in the Afterschool Learning Program (ALP), offering targeted academic support. Furthermore, various mentoring programs like BUILD, a one-on-one literacy tutoring initiative, and SAGE Mentors, a partnership with CAL that brings over 40 UC Berkeley students to assist in classrooms weekly, provide additional layers of support and enrichment. Adding to the comprehensive offerings, Ruth Acty partners with the City of Berkeley to provide after-school sports programs, including popular coed football and basketball teams, ensuring a well-rounded development for all students.
The guiding motto at Ruth Acty Elementary, “Working together makes learning better!” encapsulates the school’s philosophy. The entire Ruth Acty community, encompassing staff, parents, and the wider Berkeley community, works collaboratively to continually enhance Ruth Acty, striving to make it the best possible public elementary school, where every child can thrive and succeed.
