The California Community College system is considered one of the best in the world, but even they can use help in finding ways to improve vocational training. Image source: Wikimedia Commons In California, we have a unique relationship with our community college system. Considered perhaps the premiere system in the country, California Community Colleges (CCC)
The one-room schoolhouse was solid and wonderful, but it was the opposite of the flexible grid style schools needed for the future. Image source: Wikimedia Commons user Bilertl Demographics often mimic a slow tide, coming in gradually and making incremental and predictable changes. Eventually, everything is different and where you were once sitting is now
Schools are becoming a popular option for churches looking for a temporary or semi-permanent location. However, sometimes these moves can be controversial. Across the country, public schools are letting churches move into their buildings, unpack trailers filled with portable sanctuaries, and convert gyms and auditoriums into worship centers for the day. A new church that
Music and art classes are usually the first things to go in times of budget cuts. Image from Wikimedia Commons. Most people have fond, if slightly embarrassing, memories of extracurricular activities. Whether it was learning to play the French horn in grade school band, publishing that hard-hitting expose on the price of fish sticks for
Portable classrooms have long been used as a quick fix for overcrowding. As technology has advanced, however, schools are using modular buildings in place of traditional buildings. Image source: Flickr CC user TownePost Network People often think of portable classrooms as an unfortunate temporary solution to overcrowding in schools: quick and cheap, but far from
Are school libraries becoming outdated and old-fashioned? Image source: Wikimedia Commons Schools are bound by their physical space. Sometimes they can expand but, more often than not, they are forced to contract. Expanding can be very difficult even in the best of times. After all, most schools are firmly ensconced in a community and there
Dutra Cerro Graden is proud to announce that once again, we are partnering with School Services of California to present workshops that provide important information on asset management for California school districts in April 2015. The workshops are designed for districts that have surplus property or a need for additional property. Topics covered include: Assessment–First
In some schools, traditional computer labs are going obsolete or being repurposed. Image source: Flickr CC user woodley waterworks Once upon a time, the school computer lab was the ‘it’ place to be at school. Kids were privileged to enter a magical room filled with bubble-shaped computer screens and tall terminal towers, and a new
In January 2015, New Haven Unified School District closed escrow on the sale of the former school site, Cabello Elementary School, giving the District a much needed infusion of significant funds to help overcome prolonged state budget cuts. For over three (3) years Dutra Cerro Graden (DCG) worked with the New Haven Unified School District (“the
Around the country and especially here in sunny California, public and private schools have been among the first large institutions to embrace solar technology. According to one survey, more than 3,500 K-12 schools have put solar arrays on rooftops, in parking lots, and other unused areas of their campuses. Here’s why: Cost savings: Solar

Image source: Flickr CC User RDECOM Citing a shortfall of American-trained engineers and scientists, the Obama Administration has made it a priority for schools to better teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to students. In response, entrepreneurs, community leaders, K-12 public schools, private schools, and charter schools have begun developing innovative programs in existing schools, in addition to building so-called STEM schools from the ground up.

Image source: Flickr CC user Maryland GovPics By now, you have probably heard that Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg famously donated $100 million to schools in gritty Newark, New Jersey. He recently followed that up with a pledge to contribute $120 million to California schools in the Bay area. While these massive donations got lots of news coverage, a lesser-known story in California is just as telling of how common private donations have become for public schools.