Three Santa Cruz Schools Earn Distinguished Marks

Santa Cruz High School, Harbor High School and Pacific Collegiate Charter school were selected this week by state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson in a collection of the state's 97 top-performing schools.

According to his press release, schools were identified for eligibility on the basis of their Academic Performance Index  and Adequate Yearly Progress results, which are the state and federal accountability models, respectively.

 The applicants were also identified by their success in narrowing the achievement gap that exists between higher-performing and lower-performing students.

Each applicant was required to describe two signature practices that have led to an increase in student achievement and a narrowing of the achievement gap. Applicants were then selected to receive a thorough site visit to validate the signature practices.

Santa Cruz High School was rewarded for improving language arts and math skills for under-performing students and for its four-year personal planning workshops. Harbor High School was recognized for its work to develop college readiness and student achievement and for embracing the challenge to close the achievement gap.

The 2011 California Distinguished Schools will be honored during an awards ceremony and dinner at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 20. 

“The recognition of Santa Cruz and Harbor high schools as California Distinguished Schools, both in the same year, is an unprecedented honor for our school district," Superintendent Gary Bloom told the Eddy, the website that monitors Santa Cruz schools.  

"These awards validate the hard work and commitment of our teachers, classified staff, leadership team, governing board and community.  This is further inspiration for all of us in Santa Cruz City Schools as we strive to insure the success of each and every one of our students.”

More than 5,300 schools have been so honored since the awards were started 25 years ago.

Santa Cruz, with only 256,000 county residents, has as many schools on this year's list as Santa Clara County, with a 1.8 million population.

For the complete list, click here.