Murwood School has been recognized as a California Distinguished School by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Murwood has established many fine ongoing programs and annual events such as: science lab, ECO Club, noontime sports, Kindergarten Buddy/Big Buddy, Book Buddies, Murwood News Network (a daily live broadcast), and Talent Show. Our library has been transformed into a library media center (LMC), and the school facilities have undergone extensive renovation and modernization.

In the spring of 1997, we were awarded the status of Leadership School with the Bay Area School Reform Collaborative (BASRC). This status entitled us to receive funds for 5 consecutive years to support our literacy reform work. We focused on ensuring meaningful and sustainable reform and individualizing instruction for low achievers, high achievers, and in between by using the best possible teaching practices. Due to substantial progress in our reform efforts, BASRC extended funding for staff development until June 2004.