Torrey Pines Elementary School is a Blue Ribbon School

Torrey Pines Elementary School in La Jolla has been named one of 286 schools across the nation as a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced Tuesday.

The National Blue Ribbon School designation for Torrey Pines Elementary recognizes that it is a campus where students perform at very high levels, according to the Department of Education. These "Exemplary High Performing" campuses are recognized among their state's highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. Schools are also honored if there is significant improvements are being made in students' levels of achievement.

"This is an outstanding example of what we mean when we say, 'a quality school in every neighborhood,'" said Superintendent Cindy Marten. "I congratulate the staff, students and Torrey Pines community for their hard work."

In Washington, Sec. Duncan saluted the results achieved by all Blue Ribbon schools.

"Excellence in education matters and we should honor the schools that are leading the way to prepare students for success in college and careers," said Secretary Duncan. "National Blue Ribbon schools represent examples of educational excellence, and their work reflects the belief that every child in America deserves a world-class education."

California's Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson also congratulated the 13 California public and two private schools that are recognized as 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

“These schools are wonderful illustrations of the work we do here in California schools to prepare our students to thrive in the world they will find outside of our classrooms,” said Torlakson. “I am proud to see them held up as national examples.”

To select National Blue Ribbon Schools, the Department requested nominations from the top education official in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 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 Secretary of Education invites nominated schools to submit an application for possible recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School.

The campus was honored for its overall academic excellence and their progress in improving student academic achievement. The U.S. Department of Education will honor all 236 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 18-19 in Washington, D.C. In its 31-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on nearly 7,500 of America's schools.

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District Leads State With Three Blue Ribbon Nominees: Torrey Pines, Standley, Kearny Business

Torrey Pines Elementary, Standley Middle School and the School of International Business at Kearny High School have been nominated for Blue Ribbons from the U.S. Department of Education, making San Diego Unified the only district in California with three nominees.

The trio were in a group of 35 submitted by the state Department of Education. Nominees generally receive the awards, which are generally announced in the fall by the U.S. Department of Education.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools where students achieve at very high levels and/or where the achievement gap is narrowing. The Program sets a standard of excellence for all schools striving for the highest level of achievement.

"We're proud of the accomplishments of these three schools and grateful to state Supt. Tom Torlakson for sending their nominations to Washington, D.C.," said Bill Kowba, San Diego Unified's Superintendent.

Part of a larger U. S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has, since 1982, been part of the U.S. Department of Education effort to showcase schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals, including those that beat the odds.

San Diego Unified was the only district in California with three schools nominated. The only other district in the state with two nominees was the Los Angeles Unified School District. Schools apply to the California Department of Education, which then selects up to 35 schools to nominate to the U.S. Department of Education.

Ten San Diego Unified schools have been honored over the years with a Blue Ribbon, most recently 2010, when the School of Digital Media and Design at Kearny High and Preuss UCSD charter picked up the prize. For more information on the Blue Ribbon winners, go to http://www.sandi.net/Page/33040.

Schools can receive the Blue Ribbon if they are:

• 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 more information on the program, go to the state Department of Education website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/br/.

Edison, SD High International Studies are Blue Ribbon Nominees

Edison Elementary School and the School of International Studies at the San Diego High Educational Complex have been nominated for Blue Ribbons from the U.S. Department of Education.

The two schools were in a group of 35 submitted by the state Department of Education. Nominees generally receive the awards, which are generally announced in the fall by the U.S. Department of Education.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools where students achieve at very high levels and/or where the achievement gap in narrowing. The Program sets a standard of excellence for all schools striving for the highest level of achievement.

"Both of these schools have outstanding, innovative programs and hard-working students in very challenging neighborhoods," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "Edison is a national leader in English-language learning and International Studies is regularly near the top of America's best high schools lists."

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. Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals, including those that beat the odds.

"There are only two other school districts of the thousand in the state that had two schools nominated," said Kowba. "This is another indication of the fine learning being done by students, the fine teaching being done by our teachers and all the fine work being done by our staff."

Nearly a dozen San Diego Unified schools have been honored over the years with a Blue Ribbon, most recently 2010, when the School of Digital Media and Design at Kearny High and Preuss UCSD charter picked up the prize. For more information on the Blue Ribbon winners, go to http://www.sandi.net/Page/33040.

Kearny Digital Media and Design, Preuss School UCSD Get Federal "Blue Ribbon"

The School of Digital Media and Design at the Kearny Educational Complex in Linda Vista and the Preuss School UCSD Charter have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and 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. The program is part of a larger Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices.

"This is an outstanding recognition for two outstanding schools," said San Diego Unified Superintendent Bill Kowba. "I congratulate Kearny DMD Principal Cheryl Hibbeln, her staff and her students, as well as the staff and students at the Preuss School UCSD, for a job well done."

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program sets a standard of excellence for all schools striving for the highest level of achievement. Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals, including those that beat the odds.

At Kearny, Principal Cheryl Hibbeln said the honor was the result of much hard work.

"This award is a validation of the staff, students and administration's philosophy about student engagement and project-based learning," said Hibbeln. "Placing students at the center of learning and engagement is the key to student achievement."

The School of Digital Media and Design is one of four schools at the Kearny High Educational Complex in Linda Vista. The comprehensive high school was divided into four schools in 2004 as part of a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Its diverse student population draws from throughout the district as well as from the Linda Vista and Serra Mesa neighborhoods. The School of Digital Media and Design has an enrollment of 475 in grades 9-12.

"We are a completely interdisciplinary, project-based learning environment that collaborates with industry," said Hibbeln. "We work with local companies and government on civic projects and campaigns. Through these projects, students are motivated to tell their story to the world."

Academic subjects such as math, English and science are fully integrated throughout the projects.

"Our academic standards are made relevant through real-world projects," she said.

Community partners include the Surfrider Foundation, Time Warner Cable TV, Grossmont College, San Diego County Office of Education ITV, the City of San Diego and ConnectEd California.

IN THE NEWS: Union-Tribune Lauds SDUSD Blue Ribbon Schools

Union-Tribune Editorial: Making the grade | Blue Ribbon Schools

At Ericson Elementary School in Mira Mesa, the staff and students have a school spirit song. Sung to the tune of “You're a Grand Old Flag,” the Ericson song begins, “You're a grand old school, you're a high-ranking school, you're the best in the West we all say ... ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune

Ericson, Florence, Fletcher Elementary Schools Gain Blue Ribbon

Three San Diego Unified elementary schools, Ericson in Mira Mesa, Florence in Hillcrest and Fletcher in the Birdland neighborhood, were today named Blue Ribbon Schools by the United States Department of Education.

The schools are being honored for dramatic increases in student achievement over the last three school years, something especially challenging at schools qualifying for the federal Title I program, which means 80 percent or more students qualify for free- or reduced-price lunch.

“These three schools are outstanding examples of the dedication of the entire staff to student achievement,” said Superintendent Terry Grier. “And let’s not forget the students, who must share in this salute for their hard work and serious study.”

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private Title I elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. In addition to being honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC, where each school receives a plaque and flag signifying their status, these schools serve as models for other schools throughout the nation. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan made the announcement from Washington, D.C.

The three schools showed significant improvement in several areas. Students scoring proficient or advanced — meeting or exceeding state standards — at the schools rose each year in most cases on state standardized tests. To receive the award, the schools must also meet several criteria, including meeting California’s Academic Performance Index and federal No Child Left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals.

“These results generally show that more of these students are improving every year,” said Grier. “However, as each class is made up of different individuals, it’s important to remember that these principals and teachers really start over every year.”

For more information on the program, go to the Department of Education’s website at http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html