Ladera Ranch Middle School Earns Gold Ribbon School Award

MISSION VIEJO, CA — The Ladera Ranch Middle School earned the right to be called a California Gold Ribbon School it was announced on Thursday by the Capistrano School District.

"State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson has announced that Ladera Ranch Middle School has been chosen as one of 275 middle schools and high schools honored under the Gold Ribbon Schools Awards Program," they said in recent announcement.

The California Gold Ribbon Schools Award was created to honor schools in place of the California Distinguished Schools Program, which is on hiatus while California creates new assessment, accountability, and continuous improvement systems.

"477 middle schools and high schools applied this year," according to Capistrano Unified School District, "Schools applied for the award based on a model program or practice their school has adopted that includes standards-based activities, projects, strategies, and practices that can be replicated by other local educational agencies."

The Ladera Ranch Middle School’s All-Star Award Program creates tangible ways for middle school students to serve their school, community, and country.

While it recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding attendance, citizenship, and scholarship, the primary focus of the program is to promote service and a “habit of heart” within students.

The Gold Ribbon Awards recognize California schools that have made gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education. These include the California Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, California English Language Development Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards.

These schools represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning, and collaborating, but also highly successful school climate efforts, ranging from real time conflict resolution to positive behavior intervention.

The 2017 Gold Ribbon Schools as well as the 2017 Exemplary Program recipients, Title I Academic Achieving Award Schools, 2017 Green Ribbon Schools, 2017 Civic Learning Award Schools, and the National Blue Ribbon Schools from 2016, will be honored in May during regional ceremonies held in Costa Mesa, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Visalia, and Sacramento.

"We will be proud of this distinction for a very long time," Capistrano Unified School District told families over Facebook announcement. "Congrats to Ladera Ranch Middle School."

Capistrano Unified School District Photo