27 schools given Blue Ribbon Distinction   

  State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today announced that 24 California public schools and three private schools have been identified by the U. S. Department of Education as 2007 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) – Blue Ribbon Schools. Schools receiving this honor are considered national models of excellence. 

”I am tremendously pleased these outstanding California schools are receiving the national recognition they so clearly deserve,” said O’Connell. “They all are testaments to academic excellence and have created a positive school culture where students are able to thrive and reach their full potential. I send my congratulations to all involved.” 

The NCLB-Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a 24-year-old program that encourages states to nominate public kindergarten through grade twelve schools that are either academically superior or demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. California public schools were chosen from among the 2006 California Distinguished Schools. Private schools were nominated by the Council for American Private Education.  

Schools must fit one of two categories. The schools’ student body must be comprised of 40 percent or more disadvantaged students whose level of proficiency places the school at the 60th percentile in English-language arts and mathematics in the highest grade tested when compared to other schools in the state. These schools must show dramatic growth in both content areas. Or, the school must show a student proficiency level that places the school at the 90th percentile in English-language arts and mathematics in the highest grade tested when compared to other schools in the state.  

All awardees met the federal 2005, 2006, and 2007 Adequate Yearly Progress requirement and California Academic Performance Index growth targets. The schools will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November.

To obtain further information on the program and review a list of 2007 winners nationwide please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Web page by clicking here. 

2007 NCLB-Blue Ribbon Public School Awardees County District School

Fresno-Clovis Unified

Gettysburg Elementary  

Los Angeles-

Rowland Unified

Blandford Elementary

Killian Elementary

Walnut Valley Unified

Quail Summit Elementary

Westhoff Elementary

Wiley Canyon Elementary 

Monterey-

Carmel Unified

Tularcitos Elementary 

Orange-

Tustin Unified

Arroyo Elementary

Fullerton Elementary

Beechwood Elementary

Irvine Unified

Deerfield Elementary

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

Fairmont Elementary

Newport-Mesa Unified

Mariners Elementary

Brea-Olinda Unified

Olinda Elementary

Tustin Unified

Tustin Memorial Academy

Victoria Elementary 

Sacramento-Elk Grove Unified

Cosumnes River Elementary

Folsom-Cordova Unified

Empire Oaks Elementary 

San Bernardino-

Chino Valley Unified

Country Springs Elementary 

San Diego-

Encinitas Union

ElementaryMission

Estancia Elementary 

San Mateo-Belmont-

Redwood Shores Elementary

Central Elementary

Menlo Park City Elementary

Encinal Elementary 

Sonoma-

Liberty Elementary

Liberty Elementary

Petaluma City McNear Elementary 

Ventura-

Simi Valley Unified

Wood Ranch Elementary 

2007 NCLB-Blue Ribbon Private School Awardees 

Mariners Christian School

Pinecrest School Northridge

St. Lawrence Martyr Parish School