Rose Ferrero Elementary in Soledad could be a National Blue Ribbon School

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson nominated Rose Ferrero Elementary in the Soledad Unified School District as one of the 35 California public schools worthy of receiving a National Blue Ribbon. 

 “I applaud the principals, teachers, staff, and families whose commitment to learning has led to success in the classroom,” Torlakson said in a statement. “Schools nominated for this significant recognition are performing at very high levels or are making impressive strides in student progress under challenging circumstances.”

Schools are eligible to be considered for the 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program if they meet either one of two performance criteria:

Exemplary High-Performing Schools: Schools that achieve at least the 85th percentile statewide in the percent of students scoring proficient or advanced in English-language arts and mathematics on the state assessments. Schools nominated in this category may or may not have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Exemplary Improving Schools: Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from a disadvantaged background that are also among the top 10 percent of schools in the state showing the greatest improvement in the percent of students scoring proficient or advanced in ELA and mathematics on the state assessments over the last five years.

Congratulations, Rose Ferrero! We'll be cheering for you!

Frank Ledesma Elementary in Soledad nominated for National Blue Ribbon Schools

State Superintendent of Schools Tom Torlakson nominated Frank Ledesma Elementary School in the Soledad Unified School District for the 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, one of 35 schools in California to have their name forwarded for the distinction.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program operates under the U.S. Department of Education and recognizes elementary and secondary schools that are academically superior or have demonstrated dramatic gains in student achievement while serving an economically disadvantaged population of students. Only 413 schools nationwide are nominated each year. Additionally, nominated schools must meet all of its 2012 Academic Performance Index (API) and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) targets for the school overall and for each numerically significant subgroup (e.g., socioeconomically disadvantaged children, English learners and children of color).

“We are very proud of the team at Frank Ledesma. They have worked diligently and passionately to help students reach their academic goals. This is a tremendous recognition to be nominated from among the thousands of public schools in this state. Our students, parents and staff have worked so hard and are so deserving of this honor,” said Deneen Newman, Superintendent, Soledad Unified School District.

Frank Ledesma leaped beyond the 800 points mark in the Academic Performance Index last year, the goal set for all California K-12 schools.