May 9, 2006

School Scene

Forest Hill Elementary School earns 2006 Distinguished School award

Forest Hill Elementary School, in the Campbell Union School District, is one of only 20 schools in Santa Clara County this year to earn the state's highest academic honor: the California Distinguished School Award.

"This is a wonderful tribute to all we do as a community to ensure that Forest Hill's students use their minds and their hearts well!" said Principal Lani Potts.

In addition to being one of California's top schools, Forest Hill, located at 4450 McCoy Ave. in San Jose, now will be among the schools that the state considers in its nomination process for the nation's highest academic award: The 2006 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon.

A record 377 California public elementary schools have been selected throughout the state as 2006 California Distinguished Schools.

Chosen from 190 school districts in 40 counties, the schools represent the largest number of elementary school awardees in the 21-year history of the California School Recognition Program. They were selected from the largest number of eligible elementary schools to date.

"These schools are the best of the best. They share a vision of excellence and they have brought that vision to life," said Jack O’Connell, state superintendent of Public Instruction, who called each school principal to personally give them the good news. "Hearing the excitement and the pride in their voices was incredible. These deserving school leaders and their teachers, staffs and students have worked extremely hard to achieve academic success and this recognition.

"From listening to their stories, it is obvious they are all deeply committed to ensuring their children have every opportunity to learn. They are truly examples of excellence," he said.

The California School Recognition Program is extending its year-long celebration of its 20th anniversary to elementary schools in 2006. The program was created in 1985 to publicize and reinforce the priorities of the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. It identifies and honors some of the state's most exemplary and inspiring public schools with the California Distinguished School Award. Although participation is voluntary, the award is highly sought after by schools in all areas of the state.

Approximately 5 percent of California's public schools are selected each year, and no fewer than 40 counties are typically represented.

Elementary and secondary schools are recognized during alternate years. Of the more than 5,000 elementary schools in the state, 2,043 were eligible to apply for the Distinguished School honor based upon their Academic Performance Index (API) and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results. The 997 schools that filed applications this year underwent a rigorous selection process conducted by the California Department of Education (CDE) in partnership with the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA), and with the help of many local educators from across the state.

The 377 awardees for 2006 represent the largest number of elementary schools ever selected, topping the 302 elementary school awardees in 2004, the last elementary school cycle.

O’Connell also applauded California’s 35 nominees for the 2006 national No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon Schools Program. These schools will be honored along with the 2006 California Distinguished Schools on May 26 at an awards ceremony and dinner at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. The Disneyland Resort, which is celebrating its own 50th anniversary this year, is the major corporate sponsor of the event.