Schools
Washington Is 'Distinguished School'
Washington Elementary School is recognized as one of 387 California Distinguished Schools this year.
in North Redondo Beach is a California Distinguished School, the state Department of Education announced in a news release Friday.
"Our community is thrilled," said Washington Principal Jackie O'Sullivan.
No other school in Redondo Beach Unified School District was eligible to apply for the honor, O'Sullivan said. In all, 387 schools were recognized in California.
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In order to apply for the program, schools must meet designated federal and state accountability measures based on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Academic Performance Index (API) requirements, among other criteria. Schools must also include in their application a "comprehensive description of two of the school's successful signature practices," according to the Department of Education.
Last year, Washington Elementary raised its API score by more than 50 points.
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"The teachers here worked really hard, and the kids worked really hard … It's a reflection of the good work we're doing," O'Sullivan said.
The state honors elementary and secondary schools in alternate years. Though none of RBUSD's schools was honored in 2011, , and elementary schools earned the honor in 2010; in 2009; and and elementary schools in 2008.
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