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