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U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings last week named St. Nicholas School of Los Altos Hills a 2008 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School.
Of the 319 schools recognized nationally, St. Nicholas was one of only five California private schools singled out, and the only private school in Northern California.
The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School award honors schools for helping students achieve at high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap.
“We are extremely honored to be a part of the select few who are chosen to be a Blue Ribbon School,” said Principal Matt Komar. “We are proud of our students and teachers for all their hard work inside and outside of the classroom. St. Nicholas School has given many children the opportunity to grow and succeed through having a solid faith-based education. Our alumni are moving on to the best Bay Area high schools and receiving high honors, as well as attending top colleges and universities all over the nation.”
The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. The schools are selected based on one of two criteria:
• Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance to high levels on state tests.
• Schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests, or in the case of private schools in the top 10 percent of the nation on national tests.
Over the past 26 years, the program has honored more than 5,800 schools.
“These Blue Ribbon Schools are an example of what teachers and students can achieve,” Spellings said. “Now our challenge is to help other schools follow their lead by continuing to measure progress through No Child Left Behind, and by using the knowledge we’ve gained to replicate effective strategies and help every student improve.”
Under No Child Left Behind, schools must make adequate yearly progress in reading (language arts) and mathematics. Each state, not the federal government, sets its own academic standards and benchmark goals.
A total of 413 schools nationwide can be nominated. The number is determined based on the number of K-12 students and the number of schools in each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Chief State School Officer nominates public schools, and the Council for American Private Education submits private schools’ nominations.
Spellings invites schools to submit an application for possible recognition as a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School. This year’s winners will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., Oct. 20-21.
For more information, visit www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs.
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