State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced Wednesday the 2008 list of California Distinguished Schools ” and for the first time, Ocean Beach, La Jolla and Torrey Pines elementary schools won the prestigious award.
Of 343 California public elementary schools that received the Distinguished School award “” a hard-earned honor “” 27 schools were in San Diego County, including the three mentioned above.
According to the California Department of Education, 839 elementary schools submitted applications, and all applicants underwent a rigorous selection process conducted by the California Department of Education for The California School Recognition Program. Now in its 23rd year, the program “identifies and honors the state’s most exemplary and inspiring public schools.”
State schools must be invited to apply, said Torrey Pines Principal Jim Solo, who explained the process. He received an invitation based on the school’s test scores from the previous year.
“Before you can even apply, your test scores have to be at a certain level,” Solo said. “The invitation came in September or early October.”
As part of Solo’s application, he wrote an extensive essay explaining why his school shines above all others.
According to Solo, once the school’s essay was chosen, a group from the state’s selection process came to the elementary school and observed the daily operations to ensure the essay’s accuracy.
“They sent out a validation team of three people, and they validated that what we wrote is actually what’s happening,” Solo said. “I think for us, it’s our high level of collaboration, and it takes a team effort. It was very evident that they are very impressed with our literacy [program].
“We get to take some staff members and parents to the Disneyland Hotel on May 16 to get the award.”
The schools will also receive a flag to fly for the entire year.
Margaret Johnson, principal of Ocean Beach Elementary School, described what’s happening at her school in Ocean Beach as nothing short of incredible.
“What we are going to do is to help the kids catch the wave to success,” Johnson said. “I’d say it’s the support that family and community give to our school and the spirit in Ocean Beach.”
Johnson also said Ocean Beach Elementary is a well-balanced school, and the validation team liked the way the students treat each other.
La Jolla Principal Donna Tripi said that although her school qualified to apply for the award in the past, this was the first time that both La Jolla and Torrey Pines elementary schools applied and won the award.
“They focused on every aspect of our school’s life, and it was very validating,” Tripi said, although she also admitted writing the 20-page essay was a tedious experience she won’t have to do for another four years.
“We work together, every student, every parent and every teacher, and I really felt like at the end of it they really knew our school,” she said.
For information about the California Department of Education, go to www.cde.ca.gov. For more information about Torrey Pines Elementary School’s essay, go to www.tpes.org.
For Ocean Beach Elementary School’s Web site, go to www.obelementary.com.