The highest recognition a school can receive is being named a California Distinguished School. While this recognition is primarily based on meeting Academic Performance Index benchmarks, each school is also judged on its culture of achievement for all students and their efforts in closing the achievement gap. This year, six Fontana elementary schools have been named California Distinguished Schools for the State of California: Dorothy Grant, Hemlock, Mango, Oleander, Virginia Primrose, and Shadow Hills Elementary Schools.

"It is an honor to recognize the schools, and the students, parents, teachers, and administrators who helped earn this most prestigious distinction," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. "The 2010 California Distinguished Schools have been selected because of their academic excellence and for narrowing achievement gaps. These schools have persevered despite state budget cutbacks that have cut deeply into the budgets of local school districts."

The 484 exemplary schools recognized by the state program had to demonstrate high academic expectations for all students, achievement levels at and above state standards, strong leadership, competent and caring teachers focused on standards, and outstanding curriculum. There were a record 31 San Bernardino County elementary schools to be selected as 2010 California Distinguished Schools. Fontana Unified School District led the way with six honorees – the most of any district in the county.

“This recognition is truly a testament to the hard work and commitment of our students, parents, staff and community in setting high expectations for each student,” said Superintendent Cali Olsen-Binks. “To have one California Distinguished School in the district is quite an accomplishment. To have six schools earn this honor in one year is just amazing. I am especially proud because the award recognizes the progress these schools have made in narrowing the achievement gap.”

One of the schools, Dorothy Grant Elementary School, has also been selected to receive California’s Title I Academic Achievement Award (AAA) for the second year in a row. Only 238 schools statewide were eligible to receive this award. The purpose of the No Child Left Behind Title I AAA Program is to recognize Title I schools that exceeded Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two or more consecutive years or significantly closed the achievement gap among significant subgroups of students. Additionally, California’s rigorous criteria require Title I schools to have doubled their Academic Performance Index (API) growth target for two consecutive years and to have met a designated median API score in both English-language arts and mathematics.

“This is a tremendous validation of all of the hard work put forth by the teachers, staff, students and parents at the six elementary schools,” commented Oscar Duenas, Associate Superintendent of Instructional Services. “Receiving this award validates their commitment to providing a quality education for all students.”

The six Fontana schools will be honored along with other California Distinguished schools throughout the State in June at an awards ceremony and dinner at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Teachers, parents and principals from each site, along with District administrators and Board members will join in the recognition.

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