36 California Schools Receive National Blue-Ribbon School Honors

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized 36 California schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“Congratulations to this year’s National Blue-Ribbon School awardees,” said Secretary DeVos. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”

The coveted National Blue-Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 38th year, the National Blue-Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years. 

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores, and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools – These are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually Nov. 12 and 13. While we regret not having the opportunity to celebrate in person, given the current situation regarding COVID-19, we will celebrate the 317 public and 50 non-public school honorees in the ways that we are able, and they will each receive their plaques and flags via mail.

Photographs and brief descriptions of all 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.

The following California schools were recognized:

City, School Name, District San Diego, Adobe Bluffs Elementary School, Poway Unified School District
Los Angeles, Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High School, Alliance for College Ready Public School District
Alameda, Amelia Earhart School, Alameda Unified School District
Alta Loma, Carleton P. Lightfoot Elementary School, Etiwanda School District
Long Beach, Charles Kettering Elementary School, Long Beach Unified School District
Rancho Cucamonga, Coyote Canyon Elementary School, Central Elementary School District
Fountain Valley, Ethan B. Allen Elementary School, Garden Grove Unified School District
Belmont, Fox Elementary School, Belmont-Redwood Shores School District
Danville, Green Valley Elementary School, San Ramon Valley U.S.D.
San Ramon, Hidden Hills Elementary School, San Ramon Valley U.S.D.
Bermuda Dunes, James Monroe Elementary School, Desert Sands Unified School District
San Marino, K. L. Carver Elementary School, San Marino Unified School District
Fullerton, Laguna Road Elementary School, Fullerton Elementary School District
Hesperia, LaVerne Elementary Prep. Academy, LaVerne Elementary Prep. Academy
South Pasadena, Marengo Elementary School, South Pasadena Unified School District
Costa Mesa, Mariners Christian School, Santa Ana Unified School District
Thousand Oaks, Meadows Arts & Technology Ele. Sch., Ventura County Office of Education
Santa Barbara, Montecito Union Elementary School, Montecito Union Elementary S.D.
San Diego, Monterey Ridge Elementary School, Poway Unified School District
Monterey Park, Monterey Vista Elementary School, Garvey Elementary School District
La Crescenta, Mountain Avenue Elementary School, Glendale Unified School District
San Diego, Park Village Elementary School, Poway Unified School District
Temecula, Pauba Valley Elementary School, Temecula Valley U.S.D.
Sacramento, Phoebe A. Hearst Elementary School, Sacramento City U.S.D.
Tustin, Red Hill Lutheran School, Pacific Southwest District – LCMS
Rancho Cordova, Riverview STEM Elementary School, Folsom-Cordova U.S.D.
Felton, San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School, San Lorenzo Valley U.S.D.
San Diego, Silver Gate Elementary School, San Diego Unified School District
Solana Beach, Solana Vista Elementary School, Solana Beach School District
Long Beach, Tincher Preparatory School, Long Beach Unified School District
Irvine, Vista Verde Elementary School, Irvine Unified School District
Downey, Ward (E. W.) Elementary School, Downey Unified School District
Thousand Oaks, Weathersfield Elementary School, Conejo Valley Unified School District
Inglewood, Wilder’s Prep. Academy Charter Middle, Inglewood Unified School District
Los Gatos, Yavneh Day School, Los Gatos School District
San Francisco, Yick Wo Elementary School, San Francisco Unified School District