When students returned from winter break this year to Rorimer Elementary, a Cotsen Alumni school, they were greeted with a Hollywood-style red carpet. It was a joyful, high-energy welcome that perfectly captured the student-centered spirit of this La Puente community. But the teachers and staff were also given a well-deserved surprise by their Superintendent, Alejandro Flores.
Recently, the California Association of Bilingual Education (CABE) named Rorimer Elementary a 2026 Seal of Excellence School. It is a rare and prestigious distinction; Rorimer is one of only four schools in the entire state to receive this honor this year. This award isn’t just about high test scores—it’s a recognition of the school’s deep-rooted vision for biliteracy, multicultural competency, and true educational equity.
What makes Rorimer so special to those of us in the Cotsen community is the way they marry this high-level achievement with a genuine, welcoming warmth. We saw this firsthand when Principal Heidi West and her team, including dedicated Cotsen Alumni teachers Gabrielle Cervantes and Monica Hernandez, opened their doors for a Community of Practice Dual Language CGI Lab Day. Watching them work alongside their students, it’s clear that their success rests on a foundation of research-based practice and a belief in the incredible value of bilingualism.
“At Rorimer, we believe bilingualism is a gift and an asset,” says Cotsen Alumna Principal Heidi West. “We are proud to be a community where language, culture, and academic excellence are celebrated.” At Rorimer, that gift is nurtured through the tireless work of staff and the strong bonds they build with their families. The CABE Seal of Excellence award celebrates a community’s collective investment in driving students towards bilingualism and biliteracy.
