Beaumont's Sundance Elementary Principal Accepts National Honor in D.C.

The principal of Beaumont's Sundance Elementary was recognized Tuesday in the Nation's Capital.

Sundance Principal Lauren Kinney accepted the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership from the U.S. Department of Education during the 2011 National Blue Ribbon Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Kinney is the only California educator among the 10 principals to receive the award for outstanding leadership in fostering successful teaching and learning at their schools, according to the state Department of Education.

"Mrs. Kinney is an extraordinary leader who makes school a joyful place for students to learn and a center of the community for parents," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in a prepared statement. "She is an exemplary example for others to emulate."

Sundance Elementary in the Beaumont Unified School District is one of 20 California public and private schools named in September as a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

"I am so proud of everyone," Kinney said in a statement released by Sundance Elementary School. "We all worked hard together to earn this award-faculty, staff, students, and parents. You are all AWESOME!"

Kinney has been principal since the school opened in 2003. Like other Blue Ribbon Schools, Sundance Elementary is described by state education officials as "a high-performing school with subgroups of disadvantaged students who have improved their academic performance to high levels."

Sixty percent of Sundance students are eligible for subsidized meals, more than half are minorities, and more than one-fifth are English learners, according to the state Department of Education.

The school's Academic Performance Index has increased for eight years in a row and currently stands at 871, which is above the state target of 800, state education officials said. The school also met all significant subgroup goals that qualified it for a sixth consecutive Title I Academic Achievement Award.

"We are truly proud of Mrs. Kinney's award," Beaumont Unified School District Superintendent Barry Kayrell said. "She exemplifies outstanding leadership traits on a daily basis, and has positively impacted the lives of thousands of students throughout her career. Mrs. Kinney is a tremendous ambassador for public education, not only in the Beaumont Unified School District, but for the state and nation as a whole."

The Terrel H. Bell Award is named in memory of former U.S. Secretary of Education Terrel H. Bell.

Principals nominated for the Award are school leaders committed to fostering successful teaching and learning at their schools.

For more information on the Award and the National Blue Ribbon Awards Program, visit the U.S. Department of Education's web site at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html.