7 Local Campuses Named State Distinguished Schools for 2001

Seven Ventura County schools were named California Distinguished Schools for 2001, state education leaders announced Tuesday.

The top state honor is awarded to schools based on curriculum, test scores, parent involvement, assistance for special-needs students and safety programs, among other qualifiers. The selections are based on lengthy applications and visits to the school sites.

This year’s winners are: Colina Middle School and Thousand Oaks High School in the Conejo Valley Unified School District; Chaparral Middle School in Moorpark Unified; Los Altos Middle School in Camarillo’s Pleasant Valley Elementary; Sinaloa Middle School in Simi Valley Unified; and Balboa Middle School and Ventura High School in Ventura Unified.

Recognition of the seven schools brings the county’s total Distinguished Schools awards to 114 since the program began in 1987, said Ventura County Supt. of Schools Chuck Weis. This year, 172 middle schools and 83 high schools statewide applied to the California Department of Education for the honor.

“It’s exciting that these schools put themselves on the line and were rewarded,” Weis said.

Marilyn Renger, assistant principal at Balboa Middle School in Ventura, said the award is a verification of all the work the teachers and administrators do day in and day out.

“We really have a staff that goes the extra mile,” she said.

This year, state officials included a special recognition category for Excellence in Arts Education, for which 67 schools statewide applied, Weis said. Five schools received the award, and Thousand Oaks High School was among six to receive an honorable mention.

Additionally, three Ventura County elementary schools are in the running for national recognition as 2001 National Blue Ribbon Schools: Cypress Elementary and University Elementary in Thousand Oaks, and Oak Hills Elementary in Oak Park. Winners are expected to be announced in May.