Alameda School Earns Prestigious Federal Blue Ribbon Award

ALAMEDA, CA — U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced on Monday that 356 schools across the nation were named as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools, including 30 in California and one in Alameda. Alameda Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) was selected in the category of category Exemplary High Performing Schools.

ASTI opened as a public high school serving grades 9-12 in August 2004, and received magnet status in 2011. In its Blue Ribbon application, the school noted, "As an Early College High School (ECHS) ASTI shares a campus with the College of Alameda and ASTI students enroll as full-time community college students during their 11th and 12th grade years. This early college experience has translated into a history of success that includes all graduates going on to pursue further college studies.

"ASTI’s early college program provides students with opportunities beyond traditional high school. Combined, members of the ASTI Class of 2023 completed more than 2,501 community college units; that is an average of sixty-one units per graduate; they also maintained an average college GPA of 3.6."

ASTI also received Blue Ribbon recognition in 2015.

The prestigious Blue Ribbon recognition highlights schools that either excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools

These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools

These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.

Elsewhere in the East Bay, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Fremont, Hayward, and San Leandro also had schools selected. In the wider Bay Area, three San Jose schools were chosen.

"The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

"The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities."