Rancho Los Cerritos is a Winner!
We are delighted to share exciting news—our revamped 4th-grade school tour program, Adelante: The People of Rancho Los Cerritos, has been recognized with the Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Museum Education from the California Association of Museums (CAM)!
This prestigious statewide award recognizes outstanding museum programs that make a meaningful impact on K–12 education. Rancho Los Cerritos is one of only three organizations in California selected for this honor in 2025—joining the Cabrillo High School Aquarium and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition for a program that illuminates history through experiential learning.”
— Alison Bruesehoff, Executive Director, Rancho Los Cerritos
The Superintendent’s Award is presented jointly by the California Association of Museums and the California Department of Education. Seventeen programs were considered this year, representing the breadth and excellence of California’s museum education community. This marks the second time Rancho Los Cerritos has earned this honor, having previously received the Superintendent’s Award in 2020 for its program Long Ago Long Beach.
The program is living history-based, and students are led through the field trips by docents portraying historical characters from the Rancho’s past. The premise of the program is time travel, and characters are “brought forward in time” to the present, allowing for meaningful discussions about the similarities and differences between the lives of people historically and today.
“For me it’s all about the kids. If I can give a tour and supplement what the kids are learning in school about early California history, that’s a good thing. But if I can make my tour provide a happy and memorable day for these kids, then I’m really happy. It just brings me a lot of satisfaction to be able to do that…I am proud to be part of the Adelante program. I think it’s a very thoughtful and well-designed program that provides a very meaningful experience for the kids, but at the same time it leaves a lot of room for creativity for the docents.
— Rancho Docent
“We loved the field trip to Rancho Los Cerritos. My favorite part was when we made butter and buttermilk. Thank you for inviting us to learn what it felt like to be at the Rancho. We want to come next time!” — 4th-Grade Student
“Thank you so much for all that you do! This is a valuable learning experience and really helps make the past come alive. All of our docents this morning deserve a round of applause! Well done!”
— Teacher and longtime participant in the Rancho’s educational programs
“These programs would not be possible without the support of our dedicated team of volunteers and the generosity of our funders and donors,” stated Bruesehoff. If you are interested in becoming a School Tour Docent. contact Laura Willbanks at LauraW@RanchoLosCerritos.org or 562.206.2055.
Rancho Los Cerritos is committed to developing impactful programs that educate, inspire, and connect the community through history!
