Awards

Our school and faculty have been awarded numerous legislative recognitions and county honorable mentions for our excellence in early childhood education.

  • 2025 Certificate of Recognition: CA state assembly - excellence in early education

  • 2024 Certificate of Recognition: CA state legislature - dedication to ealy education excellence and diversity

  • 2020 Certificate of Recognition: CA joint state legislature - exemplary commitment to young people and their families

  • 2020 Certificate of special congressional recognition: Congressman Mark DeSoulnier - exceptional teaching award issued by contra costa county supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District 4, Pleasant Hill Hometown Heros

  • 2020 Exceptional Teaching Award: Mayor Matthew Rinn - designated by the City of Pleasant Hill in honor and appreciation of valuable contributions to the community. Commended to Michelle Grant and the teachers at Center of Gravity, for their courage and dedication to serving the needs of Pleasant Hill during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 2020 Exceptional Teaching Award: Pleasant Hill, CA Chamber of Commerce

  • 2015 CA Legislative Recognition: CA State Legislature - Certificate of Honor - First STEM-Based Preschool to open in the state of California

 

Highlights

 

Design in Mind

by Michelle Grant and Miriam beloglovsky

Center of Gravity holds a feature chapter in this book written by our executive director and Miriam Beloglovsky. This is a first text to print publication referencing Design Thinking inside of early childhood education systems. Available for purchase through Marcus Books, Oakland, CA.

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Loose parts Series

by Miriam Beloglovsky

Loose parts 3 & 4 and upcoming Loose Parts 6 books by Miriam Beloglovsky feature our school in both name and design as exemplar early childhood programs. These best-selling books have been translated in numerous languages and are best sellers internationally, not just hear at home. Available for purchase through Marcus Books, Oakland, CA.

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Culturally Responsive Teaching and the brain

by Zaretta hammond

Our executive director, Michelle Grant, is named in the credits based on her previous work alongside author Zaretta Hammond. Their efforts to support African-American males in Oakland Unified School District are documented in this best-selling book. Available for purchase through Marcus books, Oakland, CA.

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