State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Nominates
35 California Schools for 2013 National Blue Ribbon Honor
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today the nomination of 35 California public schools for the coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools Program award.
"I applaud the principals, teachers, staff, and families whose commitment to learning has led to success in the classroom," Torlakson said. "Schools nominated for this significant recognition are performing at very high levels or are making impressive strides in student progress under challenging circumstances."
Schools are eligible to be considered for the 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program if they meet either one of two performance criteria:
Exemplary High-Performing Schools: Schools that achieve at least the 85th percentile statewide in the percent of students scoring proficient or advanced in English-language arts and mathematics on the state assessments. Schools nominated in this category may or may not have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Exemplary Improving Schools: Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from a disadvantaged background that are also among the top 10 percent of schools in the state showing the greatest improvement in the percent of students scoring proficient or advanced in ELA and mathematics on the state assessments over the last five years.
For additional information on Blue Ribbon Schools Program eligibility requirements, please go to the California Department of Education Web site at: Blue Ribbon Schools.
Based on student population, California may nominate up to 35 qualified schools each year. Blue Ribbon winners are usually announced in September.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices. For more information on the federal program, please visit:Awards - Blue Ribbon Schools Program 
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.California's 2013 National Blue Ribbon School Nominees
County | District | School |
|---|---|---|
Alameda | Hayward Unified | Burbank Elementary |
Alameda | Castro Valley Unified | Jensen Ranch Elementary |
Alameda | Fremont Unified | Joshua Chadbourne Elementary |
Contra Costa | Byron Union Elementary | Discovery Bay Elementary |
Fresno | Central Unified | James K. Polk Elementary |
Fresno | Clovis Unified | James S. Fugman Elementary |
Kern | Beardsley Elementary | Beardsley Junior High |
Kern | Wasco Union Elementary | John L. Prueitt Elementary |
Los Angeles | El Monte City Elementary | Columbia Elementary |
Los Angeles | Lawndale Elementary | Environmental Charter High |
Los Angeles | Los Angeles Unified | Chapman Elementary |
Los Angeles | Los Angeles Unified | Community Charter Middle |
Los Angeles | Compton Unified | Anderson Elementary |
Los Angeles | La Canada Unified | La Canada Elementary |
Los Angeles | Manhattan Beach Unified | Opal Robinson Elementary |
Los Angeles | ABC Unified | Frank C. Leal Elementary |
Merced | Planada Elementary | Planada Elementary |
Monterey | Soledad Unified | Rose Ferrero Elementary |
Orange | Orange Unified | Sycamore Elementary |
Orange | Tustin Unified | A. G. Currie Middle |
Orange | Anaheim Union High | Oxford Academy |
Orange | Fountain Valley Elementary | Plavan (Urbain H.) Elementary |
Orange | Fullerton Elementary | Robert C. Fisler Elementary |
Orange | Irvine Unified | Stonegate Elementary |
Riverside | Corona-Norco Unified | John F. Kennedy High |
San Bernardino | Etiwanda Elementary | Day Creek Intermediate |
San Diego | San Diego Unified | Kearny International Business |
San Diego | Del Mar Union Elementary | Ocean Air |
San Diego | San Diego Unified | Torrey Pines Elementary |
San Diego | San Diego Unified | Standley Middle |
San Francisco | San Francisco Unified | Chin (John Yehall) Elementary |
San Mateo | Millbrae Elementary | Taylor Middle |
Santa Clara | Cupertino Unified | William Faria Elementary |
Santa Clara | San Jose Unified | Simonds Elementary |
Sonoma | Gravenstein Union | Hillcrest Middle |
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100