Posted inCrime & Safety, Schools

Berkeley Technology Academy starts semester with record low enrollment

BTA Principal Sheila Quintana. Image: BUSD Berkeley Technology Academy, the city’s alternative high school, was set to begin the year with record low enrollment, Principal Sheila Quintana told the School Board in late August. Quintana gave the board an update on the school’s efforts at its Aug. 26 meeting, detailing recent successes and challenges since she […]

Posted inSchools

Teachers at Berkeley Technology Academy raise the alarm

Berkeley Technology Academy has faced decreasing attendance and an increasing suspension rate in recent years. Photo: Emilie Raguso Teachers at Berkeley’s alternative high school have raised concerns about the state of affairs on campus, citing “extreme behavior” among students, chronically low attendance, a lack of academic rigor, and a generally unsafe campus environment due to deficient […]

Posted inSchools

Berkeley school district holds Black Lives Matter forum

BUSD Black Lives Matter forum held on Dec. 17, 2014. Photo: Mark Coplan/BUSD On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the Berkeley Unified School District held a Black Lives Matter forum for the district’s middle- and high-school students, as well as their families. Conceived and organized by Charity DaMarto, BUSD’s supervisor of Family Engagement and Equity, and Director of Student Services […]

Posted inCrime & Safety, Schools

B-Tech graduation rate soars under inspired leadership

Sheila Quintana Principal at B-Tech, with students. Photo: Mark Coplan This Friday, nearly 800 students from Berkeley High will attend their graduation ceremony at the historic Hearst Greek Theatre. But with equal fanfare, they’ll be joined by 62 seniors from Berkeley Technology Academy (B-Tech). Compared to the many hundreds from BHS, that might not sound […]