California has more than 6,000 schools and last spring the California Superintendent of Public Education Tom Torlakson announced that 14 WCCUSD schools had been awarded the Gold Ribbon Schools Award.

The award recognizes the schools that have implemented the state adopted academic content and performance standards in subjects such as English, mathematics and science.

Coronado (Principal Linda Cohen), Fairmont (Principal Galen Murphy), Hanna Ranch (Principal Greg Santiago), Harding (Principal Linda Takimoto), Kensington (Principal Judith Sanders), Madera (Principal Alison Makela), Montalvin (Principal Katherine Acosta-Verprauskus), Olinda (Principal Amandeep Kaur Randhawa), Peres (Principal Jawan Eldridge), Riverside (Principal Christine Hatcher), Sheldon (Principal Melissa Sigars), Valley View (Principal Ann Marie Marinakis), and Washington (Principal Lisa Levi) elementary schools are all recipients of the 2016 California Gold Ribbon Schools Award, reflecting the District’s continued emphasis on student achievement.

Peres received the award for its Efficacy Model, which emphasizes a “think you can, work hard, get smart” mindset for students, staff and stakeholders. It has helped to raise API scores at the school from 456 in 2001 to 810 in 2014.

“At Peres, we know all children can learn at high levels through efficacy and all of our programs are designed to advance the mission of academic proficiency and strong character through hard work,” Principal Jawan Eldridge said.

Washington Elementary earned the Gold Ribbon Award for its Dual Language Immersion program, which includes participation from parents as well as teachers and students. Principal Lisa Levi said combined efforts of parents, teachers and students are what makes the program a success.

“The schools that have been named Gold Ribbon schools are evidence that we are on the right track when it comes to improving outcomes for students,” Board President Randy Enos said in a district statement.

The award, which recognized middle and high schools last year and focused on elementary schools this year, was created in place of the California Distinguished Schools Program, which is on hiatus while California creates new assessment and accountability systems.

“The schools that have been named Gold Ribbon schools are evidence that we are on the right track when it comes to improving outcomes for students,” Board President Randy Enos said. “The students, parents, teachers, staff and administrators at each of the winning schools should be proud of this award. It validates the investments we have made in our classrooms and on our campuses.”

The Gold Ribbon Award recognizes schools that have made gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education, including the California Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, California English Language Development Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards.

The California Gold Ribbon Schools Award was created to honor schools in place of the California Distinguished Schools Program, which is on hiatus while California creates new assessment and accountability systems. Nearly 6,000 elementary schools were eligible to apply this year.

Schools applied for the award based on a model program their school has adopted that includes standards-based activities, projects, strategies, and practices that can be replicated by other local educational agencies.

De Anza High School (with Bob Evans as Principal) earned a Gold Ribbon in 2015, the first year of the program.

On Saturday September 16^th the community was welcomed to an event at Coronado Elementary School to hear presentations from students, school representatives and District Officials to honor those responsible for these momentous achievements.