Thursday, September 15, 2011

Blue Ribbon Schools for 2010-11 - Year 2011 (CA Dept of Education)

Blue Ribbon Schools for 2010-11 - Year 2011 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Congratulates California
Winners of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson congratulated 20 California public schools and one private school that were named today by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as national Blue Ribbon Schools for 2010-11.

The list of schools is attached.

"Congratulations to all 21 schools, and the students, teachers, school employees, administrators, and parents who worked hard to earn the title Blue Ribbon School," Torlakson said. "Today's awards are just one more sign of the dedication California's educators have to improving opportunities for students, even in the face of painful budget cuts."

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program (BRSP) is a U.S. Department of Education program. BRSP honors public and private schools from elementary through high schools, whose students achieve at very high levels or have made significant progress and helped close gaps in achievement, especially among disadvantaged and minority students.

Public schools are nominated by the Chief State School Officers, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. All nominees must qualify as either:

  • High performing: Schools are measured by state tests in both English-language arts and mathematics, or assessments referenced against national norms; or
  • Improvement to high levels: Schools have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds and have improved student performance to high levels in English-language arts and mathematics on state assessments or assessments referenced against national norms. Disadvantaged means students eligible for free or reduced-priced meals, who receive Title I services, are limited English proficient, migrant, or in need of special services.

Blue Ribbon Schools are honored at a national awards ceremony in Washington, DC in the fall, where each winner receives a plaque and flag. Blue Ribbon winners may fly this flag at their schools as a mark of excellence and a symbol of quality. These schools serve as examples of excellence for other schools throughout the nation. Details of their achievements are shared on the U.S. Department of Education's Web site at Blue Ribbon Schools Program (Outside Source).

For more information on California's past winners, please visit the California Department of Education's Web site at Blue Ribbon Schools.

Attachment

California Blue Ribbon Public Schools for 2010-11

County

District

School

Alameda

Fremont Unified

James Leitch Elementary

Alameda

Oakland Unified

Peralta Elementary

Fresno

Sanger Unified

Sanger Academy Charter

Fresno

Clovis Unified

Miramonte Elementary

Los Angeles

Long Beach Unified

California Academy of Mathematics and Science

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Unified

Gertz-Ressler Academy High

Los Angeles

Newhall

Dr. J. Michael McGrath Elementary School

Los Angeles

West Covina Unified

Merced Elementary

Orange

Garden Grove Unified

Ethan B. Allen Elementary

Orange

Santa Ana Unified

John Muir Fundamental Elementary

Orange

Santa Ana Unified

Jim Thorpe Fundamental

Orange

Buena Park Elementary

Charles G. Emery Elementary

Riverside

Lake Elsinore Unified

William Collier Elementary

Riverside

Palm Springs Unified

Katherine Finchy Elementary

Riverside

Beaumont Unified

Sundance Elementary

San Diego

Poway Unified

Los Penasquitos Elementary

San Francisco

San Francisco Unified

Ulloa Elementary

Santa Clara

Berryessa Union Elementary

Ruskin Elementary

Stanislaus

Ceres Unified

Westport Elementary

Ventura

Santa Paula Elementary

Grace S. Thille Elementary

California Blue Ribbon Private School for 2010-11

County

City

School

San Diego

Solana Beach

Santa Fe Christian Lower

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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100