State School Official Participates in Middle College High "National Blue Ribbon" Celebration

SANTA ANA, CA — November 30, 2009 – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today celebrated Middle College High School's selection as a 2009 National Blue Ribbon School in a midday celebration. The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) school, located on the campus of Santa Ana College, is among 321 to achieve this status out of more than 120,000 public and private schools nationwide. Middle College High School is one of four National Blue Ribbon Schools within SAUSD. The District's Carl Harvey Elementary School was recently announced as a candidate for receiving the award in 2010.

The National Blue Ribbon award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior, or have made dramatic gains in student achievement and progress in closing the gaps in achievement among minority and disadvantaged students. According to the annual U.S. News & World Report survey, Middle College High School was among the nation's top high schools for three years in a row including 2007, 2008 and 2009. The school also was ranked one of five top high schools in Orange County by the Orange County Register in 2008 and was named a 2009 California Distinguished School. It also is a National Title 1 Achieving School.

"This is a prestigious national honor for Middle College High School," said Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "In spite of these extraordinarily challenging times of budget cuts, staff layoffs, and economic turmoil the students here have proven that with hard work and commitment you will succeed. Congratulations to the students, their parents, teachers, school staff, and school board members. Their focus on improving achievement is helping to prepare Middle College High School students to succeed in a global economy," O'Connell said.

Since inception in 1997, SAUSD's Middle College High School has educated hundreds of students in its early college access format on the campus of community host Santa Ana College. The high school's format enables students to concurrently pursue a high school diploma and a college degree as a result of a unique collaboration between SAUSD and Santa Ana College. The class of 2009 graduated 30 students — the most ever — with both a high school diploma and associate degree. While the school is located on the college campus, all teachers are employed by SAUSD. Students take high school curriculum courses, which are required by SAUSD but also take college courses to fulfill requirements by the State of California for earning their degree.

About the National Blue Ribbon Program

Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals. Using standards of excellence evidenced by student achievement measures and the characteristics known from research to exemplify school quality, the Department celebrates schools, including those that beat the odds.

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private schools based on one of two criteria: 1) schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or in the case of private schools in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-normed tests; and 2) schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that demonstrate dramatic improvement of student performance to high levels on state tests or nationally-normed tests.

In addition, public schools must meet Adequate Yearly Progress in reading (English language arts) and mathematics. Each state — not the federal government — sets its own academic standards and benchmark goals.

About Santa Ana College

Santa Ana College is a public community college that serves nearly 50,000 credit and non-credit students annually. Santa Ana College provides education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, customized training for business and industry, and programs to train nurses, firefighters and law enforcement personnel. The college is one of two that fall under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit http://www.sac.edu/ to learn more.

About Santa Ana Unified School District

Santa Ana Unified School District educates approximately 55,000 students at 63 dynamic school sites throughout the eclectic and vibrant Santa Ana community. The K-12 school district is the largest in Orange County and the second largest employer in Santa Ana, with approximately 5,000 educators and staff members. Contact us at 714-558-5555, or pioinfo@sausd.us. For more information about our schools, visit http://www.sausd.us/. For more information about Middle College High School log on to http://www.sausd.us/.