Two South Pasadena Unified School District schools were honored this week by achieving Blue Ribbon School status. South Pasadena schools have a long tradition of excellence in education and diversity.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The National Blue Ribbon School award gracing a school entry is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award was created in 1982 by Terrel H. Bell. Mr. Bell was named Secretary of Education by former President Ronald Reagan.
Both Arroyo Vista and Monterey Hills were recognized as “Exemplary High Performing” schools. This indicates that these schools have achieved the nation’s highest school graduation rates and the produce the highest achieving students (the top 15%) in English and mathematics, as measured by state assessments. Arroyo Vista Elementary had previously been recognized as a Blue Ribbon School in 2005. This is the first Blue Ribbon School award for Monterey Hills Elementary.
A ceremony will be held in Washington, D.C. on November 14th and 15th, 2019 to honor over 300 schools nationwide achieving Blue Ribbon status. The United States Department of Education will present the honors.
