Edison Language Academy Named 2020 CA Distinguished School

SANTA MONICA, CA — Edison Language Academy in Santa Monica was recognized as a 2020 California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education, it was announced Tuesday.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District's dual immersion school is one of 324 elementary schools in California to receive this honor. Edison Language Academy earned this same honor in 2018, and was also awarded the National Blue Ribbon School award in 2016, the SMMUSD press release said.

Edison Principal Lori Orum has led the school for the past 14 years and is proud of the entire Edison staff who are dedicated and determined to provide every student with a pathway to success, the press release said.

“What we have accomplished at Edison takes artful, skillful teaching and a focused and collaborative effort by all teachers and staff,” Orum said. “While we work really hard at academic growth in two languages and all subjects, we also provide an enriched arts program, build awareness of and respect for the cultures of the Americas, intentionally teach students to be bridge builders, focus on social and emotional development, and offer parents meaningful opportunities for involvement. We are so fortunate to have a school district that has provided resources and steady support for our program for more than 30 years.”

The Distinguished Schools program, a component of the California School Recognition Program, recognizes schools based on performance and progress on the state indicators as specified on the California School Dashboard. Indicators include test scores, suspension rates, and conditions and climate. Elementary, middle and high schools are recognized in alternate years, so awardees hold the title for two years, SMMUSD said.

This is Edison's 34th year as a dual immersion school, where all students learn to understand, speak, read and write in both English and Spanish. The school is the first step in the district's Language Academy, and students can continue studying in two languages at John Adams Middle School and Santa Monica High School.

The school follows the same state curriculum frameworks and grade level content standards as all public elementary schools in California, with the addition of also learning a second language and learning about the cultures of the Americas, the SMMUSD press release said.

Edison Language Academy enrolls about equal numbers of students natively speaking English and Spanish "in order to create the language balance needed for a successful dual language program," the district said.

“Edison is a great example of a school where the principal, teachers, staff and parents all work
together toward student success and closing the achievement gap,” Dr. Ben Drati, SMMUSD
superintendent, said. “We are proud that they have been recognized in California and nationally
as an exemplary school while serving as great option for parents in our school district.”

An awards ceremony will be held in Anaheim in February. For more information about the program, visit the CDE California School Recognition Program website.