Five county schools awarded Blue Ribbon designation

Five San Diego County schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020, placing among 36 schools from California and 367 nationally.

The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has given close to 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.

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

• Exemplary High Performing Schools: These are among the state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

Receiving this award were Adobe Bluffs, Monterey Ridge and Park Village elementary schools, all in the Poway Unified School District.

• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These are among the state’s highest-performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Receiving this award were Silver Gate Elementary School, San Diego Unified School District; and Solana Vista Elementary School, Solana Beach School District.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The department invites nominations from the top education official in each state. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education.

The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually Nov. 12 and 13. Schools will receive their plaques and flags via mail. To see the schools’ profiles, photos and applications, visit https://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.

— Laura Groch is a reporter for the Solana Beach School District