09/29/2016 -
For Immediate Release
September 29, 2016
Contact:
Beth Berk, Santa Rosa City Schools Communication Coordinator | 528-5072 |
bberk@srcs.k12.ca.us
Steve Herrington, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools | 524-2603 | sherrington@scoe.org
First Sonoma County school to receive the prestigious honor in six years
Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School on Wednesday was named as one of just 29 California schools to receive the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools award. It is the only school in Sonoma County to receive the honor.
This coveted award is a program of the U.S. Department of Education that honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.
“At Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School, students are challenged to excel, and educators meet the needs of every student. This award honors all of that hard work, and Santa Rosa City Schools is proud to celebrate with them,” said Anna-Maria Guzman, Santa Rosa City Schools assistant superintendent.
Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School, a grade 5-6 charter in the Santa Rosa City Schools district, was honored as an “Exemplary High Performing” school, which means it has among the state’s highest achieving students (the top 15%) in English and mathematics, measured by state assessments.
This is the 11th Sonoma County school to receive the award in the 34 years of the program (two schools have earned the honor twice). It’s also the first Sonoma County school to receive the award in six years. Most recently, Two Rock Union School, in the Two Rock Union School District, received the award in 2010.
“Our entire community should celebrate in the achievement of Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School. The Blue Ribbon School award shines a light on the power of great education to impact the lives and futures of our students,” said Steve Herrington, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools.
The California winners are among 279 public (traditional, charter, choice, and magnet) schools and 50 private schools announced Wednesday morning by U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. National Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored at a national awards ceremony on November 7-8, 2016, 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 widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
More information about the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program can be found on the U.S. Department of Education Web site.
