Las Lomitas School wins national 'Blue Ribbon School' award Las Lomitas School wins national 'Blue Ribbon School' award (October 29, 2003)

By Marjorie Mader
Almanac Staff Writer

Las Lomitas School will soon fly the "Blue Ribbon School' flag, recognizing that the K-3 school, located in Atherton and in the Las Lomitas School District, is a national model of excellence.

"Schools chosen for the Blue Ribbon [are] meeting our mission to ensure that every child learns and no child is left behind," said Rod Paige, U.S. secretary of education.

They are "national models of excellence that others can learn from," he said.

Las Lomitas is among 248 elementary schools nationally -- both public and private -- to receive the award, based on student achievement results. It is the only school in San Mateo County to receive the award this year, and is among the 34 California schools so recognized.

In selecting Blue Ribbon winners, the National Review Panel considers several categories, including student focus and support, the school's organization and culture, challenging standards and curriculum, active teaching and learning, and partnerships between the school, family and community.

"I am so proud of our teachers and students who have dedicated so much energy and effort to their studies," said Superintendent Mary Ann Somerville. "It's a significant tribute and recognition of the collaborative work between families and school."

The award recognizes that Las Lomitas' 465 students achieve at the highest levels, and that students overall, regardless of previous achievement levels, have shown marked improvement over the past three years. Overall student achievement scores (as measured by the API Academic Performance Index) have increased from 893 in 2001 to 917 in 2002 and 928 in 2003. The state considers anything over 800 to be "fabulous," said Superintendent Somerville.

All Las Lomitas students have been brought to high levels of achievement, including students with special needs, she said.

The path to the Blue Ribbon award started a few years ago when the school was involved in a yearlong, "huge internal audit," says Principal Jerry Traynor.

In preparation for submitting an application for the California Distinguished School Award, teachers and staff looked at all systems and processes, the education program, the curriculum, and how the school served its students. Las Lomitas received the state award in 2002-03.

Last February, Las Lomitas was nominated by the state superintendent of public instruction to submit an application for the national Blue Ribbon award.

Dr. Traynor said he will not attend the official recognition ceremony on October 30 and 31 in Washington, D.C., because he couldn't justify the expense and being away from the school.

"I feel, as an administrator, it sends the wrong message in a downturn economic time to spend $2,000 to go to Washington, D.C., for three days," he said.

Bringing back the Blue Ribbon flag and accepting the plaque will be Dr. Lee Anderson, board president of the Las Lomitas School District. He was scheduled to be in Washington, D.C., on business during the time of the awards ceremony.

E-mail Marjorie Mader at mmader@AlmanacNews.com