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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan Announces 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools | U.S. Department of Education:

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan Announces 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools



U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today recognized 335 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015 based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. These schools demonstrate that all students can achieve to high levels.
"This honor recognizes your students' accomplishments and the hard work and dedication that went into their success," Duncan said in a video message to the awardees. "Your journey has taught you collaboration, intentional instruction, and strong relationships in school and with your community. You represent excellence—in vision, in implementation, and in results—and we want to learn as much as we can from you."
The Department will honor 285 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 9-10 in Washington, D.C. In its 33-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on more than 8,000 of America's schools.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. The award plaque affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The award flag gracing a school's building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
All schools are recognized in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:
  • Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates are also at the highest levels.
  • Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's subgroups and all students over the past five years. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates for each subgroup are at high levels.
The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools. A total of 420 schools nationwide may be nominated, with allocations determined by the numbers of K-12 students and schools in each jurisdiction. The U.S. Secretary of Education invites nominated schools to submit an application for possible recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School.
Note To Editors: Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available athttp://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Congratulates California
Winners of the 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award 

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today congratulated 29 California public and four private schools that are being recognized as 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The California winners of the coveted award are among 285 public (traditional, charter, choice, and magnet) schools and 50 private schools announced this morning by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
"California's newly selected Blue Ribbon Schools are among the best in the nation and reflect our state's commitment to preparing students for college and career," Torlakson said. "We celebrate these models of excellence as they shine in the national spotlight. I congratulate all the hardworking students, teachers, parents, staff, and administrators who made this recognition possible."
The federal Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private schools from elementary through high school.
Public schools are nominated by each Chief State School Officer (CSSO), including the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Council for American Private Education nominates private schools.
The California schools were recognized as Exemplary High Performing Schools and were required to be performing in the top 15 percent of schools statewide as measured by state assessments.
National Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored at a national awards ceremony on November 9-10, 2015 in Washington, D.C., where each winner will receive a plaque and flag. Blue Ribbon winners may fly this flag at their schools as a mark of excellence. In its 33-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has presented this award to more than 8,000 of America's schools.
Details of the 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools can be found on the U.S. Department of Education Web site External link opens in new window or tab. .
California's National Blue Ribbon Public Schools for 2015
County
District
School
Alameda
Alameda Unified
Alameda Science and Technology Institute
Alameda
Dublin Unified
James Dougherty Elementary
Alameda
Oakland Unified
Montclair Elementary
Alameda
Pleasanton Unified
Vintage Hills Elementary
Contra Costa
Acalanes Union High
Campolindo High
Contra Costa
Lafayette Elementary
Happy Valley Elementary
Contra Costa
Orinda Union Elementary
Del Rey Elementary
Contra Costa
San Ramon Valley Unified
Neil A. Armstrong Elementary
El Dorado
Buckeye Union Elementary
Oak Meadow Elementary
Fresno
Fresno Unified
Manchester Gate
Los Angeles
Antelope Valley Union High
SOAR High (Students On Academic Rise)
Los Angeles
La Cañada Unified
La Cañada High
Los Angeles
Las Virgenes Unified
Yerba Buena Elementary
Los Angeles
Long Beach Unified
Naples Elementary
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Unified
KIPP Raices Academy
Los Angeles
Manhattan Beach Unified
Grand View Elementary
Los Angeles
Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified
Montemalaga Elementary
Los Angeles
Redondo Beach Unified
Alta Vista Elementary
Los Angeles
San Marino Unified
Valentine Elementary
Los Angeles
William S. Hart Union High
Academy of the Canyons
Marin
Reed Union Elementary
Bel Aire Elementary
Nevada
Nevada Joint Union High
William & Marian Ghidotti High
Orange
Santa Ana Unified
Middle College High
Riverside
Riverside Unified
Lake Mathews Elementary
San Bernardino
Chino Valley Unified
Country Springs Elementary
San Diego
Poway Unified
Deer Canyon Elementary
San Joaquin
Lodi Unified
Middle College High
Santa Clara
Evergreen Elementary
James Franklin Smith Elementary
Santa Clara
Mountain View Whisman
Frank L. Huff Elementary
California's National Blue Ribbon Private Schools for 2015
County
City
School
Los Angeles
Chino Hills
Heights Christian Schools
Chino Hills campus
Los Angeles
Valencia
Legacy Christian Academy
Orange County
Irvine
New Horizon School
San Diego County
Solana Beach
Santa Fe Christian Middle School
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, September 29, 2015
http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr15/yr15rel74.asp