Fremont Elementary School Recognized as National Blue Ribbon School

The U.S. Department of Education Tuesday recognized nine Bay Area schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2014. The honor is bestowed annually on schools that are either “exemplary high performing schools” based on students test scores and high school graduation rates or on schools that have made significant progress closing achievement gaps between demographic groups over the past five years.

“These great schools are fulfilling the promise of American education - that all students, no matter their name or zip code, can flourish when schools provide safe, creative and challenging learning environments,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a statement.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools in the Bay Area are Ardis G. Egan Junior High School in Los Altos, Bullis Purissima Charter School in Los Altos, Calistoga Elementary School in Calistoga, Clarendon Alternative Elementary School in San Francisco, Georgina P. Blach Junior High School in Los Altos, La Entrada Middle School in Menlo Park, Mission San Jose Elementary School in Fremont, Nelson S. Dilworth Elementary School in San Jose and Windemere Ranch Middle School in San Ramon.

Related: San Lorenzo School Recognized as National Blue Ribbon School

“The students, staff and community at Clarendon deserve this great honor for their commitment to excellence,” said Richard Carranza, superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District, in a statement.

Overall, 24 schools in California and 337 schools nationwide were designated as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

“This is our tenth year, and from the start we have strived for academic excellence,” said David Bolin, principal of Windemere Ranch Middle School in a statement. “We have a committed, dedicated and passionate staff and community who all contribute to our success.”

Related: Windemere Ranch Middle School Wins National Honor

Each state is invited annually to nominate schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools, according to the U.S. Department of Education. In 32 years, nearly 7,900 U.S. schools have been recognized.

—By Bay City News