Ramona Elementary Wins State Recognition for Academic Achievement

Ramona Elementary is among nine elementary schools, one high school and a charter campus in San Diego County that were selected for 2011-12 Title I Academic Achievement Awards, the California Department of Education announced Wednesday.

Title 1 is a federal assistance program for schools with students living at or below the poverty line. About two-thirds of schools in California receive Title 1 funds.

The achievement awards are for schools at which all students are making significant progress toward proficiency in state academic standards. Socio- economically disadvantaged students must have doubled the achievement targets set for them for two consecutive years.

The honored elementary schools are:

-- Ramona, Ramona Unified School District;

-- Otay and Palomar, Chula Vista Elementary School District;

-- Angier, Garfield, Hardy and Vista Grande; San Diego Unified School District; and

-- Knob Hill and Paloma, San Marcos Unified School District.

The King/Chavez Academy charter school and San Diego International Studies, part of the San Diego High School campus, were also awarded.

"The progress being made at these schools, which serve our neediest students, should serve as a beacon of hope for California," said Tom Torlakson, state superintendent of public instruction. "At a time of fiscal crisis and economic uncertainty, they continue to improve, building a brighter future for their students."

The leaders of the schools, and others that were previously named California Distinguished Schools and National Blue Ribbon Schools, will be honored next month in Sacramento.

A celebratory event is being offered to include Ramona Elementary on May 23 in Mission Valley, sponsored by the San Diego County Office of Education.  More information on the list of the state’s list of honored schools can be accessed at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/aa/.

-- City News Service contributed to this story.