3 Poway Unified Schools Earn California Distinguished Honors

The state Department of Education today named 35 elementary schools around San Diego County as California Distinguished Schools.

They are among 424 public elementary schools honored statewide for commitment and innovative approaches to improving student academic achievement. The program focuses on students' right to an equitable and rigorous education, and recognizes schools that have made progress in narrowing the academic achievement gap.

"I applaud these strong, thriving schools that are making such impressive strides in preparing their students for continued success," said Tom Torlakson, the state's superintendent of public instruction. "This award is well-deserved by these school communities for their enduring dedication to high standards, hard work, and unwavering support."

The locally honored elementary schools are:

• Blossom Valley and Rios in the Cajon Valley School District
• Hope in the Carlsbad Unified School District
• Arroyo Vista Charter, Casillas, Discovery Charter, Rice, Rosebank, Silver Wing and Sunny Side in the Chula Vista Elementary School District
• Carmel Del Mar, Del Mar Heights and Ocean Air in the Del Mar Unified School District
• Capri, El Camino Creek, Flora Vista, La Costa Heights, Mission Estancia, Ocean Knoll and Olivenhein Pioneer in the Encinitas Union Elementary School District
• La Paloma in the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District
• Rolando in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District
• Lakeview in the Lakeside Union Elementary School District
• Ivey Ranch in the Oceanside Unified School District
• Creekside, Del Sur and Stone Ranch in the Poway Unified School District
• Ramona Community in the Ramona City Unified School District
• Barnard, Miller, Ocean Beach and the San Diego Global Vision Academy in the San Diego Unified School District
• Carrillo and Discovery in the San Marcos Unified School District
• Solana Pacific in the Solana Beach Elementary School District.

The Distinguished Schools program alternates between elementary and high schools each year.

Ocean Beach Elementary also received an award for its arts education program, while Del Mar Heights was separately honored for its physical activity and nutrition program.

—City News Service