Bella Vista, Casa Roble, and Pasteur Named 2009 California Distinguished Schools

The California Department of Education has announced that Bella Vista High School, Casa Roble Fundamental High School, and Louis Pasteur Middle School have each been selected as 2009 California Distinguished Schools.

“Being named a California Distinguished School is a hard earned recognition,” said Superintendent Dr. Pat Jaurequi. “The staff, students, parents, and community of Bella Vista, Casa Roble and Louis Pasteur deserve credit for this award, as they work together each day to ensure the delivery of innovative, rigorous, and student-focused instruction in a collaborative learning community.”

The 2009 California School Recognition Program (CSRP) directly focuses on California’s students and their entitlement to an equitable and rigorous education. Under the 2009 CSRP, the California Distinguished Schools Award identifies and honors those schools that have demonstrated educational excellence for all students and progress in narrowing the achievement gap.

“Bella Vista, Casa Roble, and Louis Pasteur have implemented practices that ensure each student has the opportunity to reach his or her highest potential. From the use of individual student data, to project based learning, and an emphasis on improved test taking strategies, these schools are examples of the hard work that occur each day in San Juan schools,” said Board of Education President Richard Launey.

In order to be invited to apply for Distinguished School honors, schools must meet a variety of eligibility criteria including designated federal and state accountability measures based on No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), and the Academic Performance Index (API) requirements. This year, the selection process required schools to provide an in-depth description of two “signature” practices implemented at the schools that are replicable, and directly related to the success of their students. During an intensive site visitation by a trained team of external educators, additional evidence about the effectiveness of the “signature” practices was gathered and analyzed.

For more information about the California School Recognition Program, including a list of corporations, foundations, and associations whose generous contributions along with registration fees from the attending schools make the awards ceremony possible, please visit: www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/.