GILROY
– Nordstrom Elementary School in Morgan Hill was named a
California Distinguished School Wednesday by the state department
of education.
GILROY – Nordstrom Elementary School in Morgan Hill was named a California Distinguished School Wednesday by the state department of education.
No Gilroy schools won the award. Luigi Aprea and Antonio Del Buono elementary schools both qualified to apply for the award late last year. It was the second time in recent years that Luigi was eligible.
Two Gilroy Unified School District schools have won the honor in previous years: Gilroy High School in 1994 and Glen View Elementary School in 1997.
The program has changed since those schools were awarded, to focus more on student achievement.
Some GUSD schools are using the California Distinguished School selection criteria to better focus their instructional programs and collaboration of staff.
The prestigious award recognizes a school’s total academic program through a competitive process in which the school must show high academic expectations for students, dedication to state standards and strong leadership. Nordstrom Elementary completed a rigorous self-assessment that includes the entire school community and underwent an on-site evaluation by local educators.
“I think everyone is very excited, and everyone worked very hard to get where we’re at and still, the work is never done,” Principal Nancy Milo said. “That’s the great thing about this place, is that the work is never done. We’re always moving ahead.”
This is Nordstrom Elementary’s second Distinguished School award. It was last recognized in the mid-90s.
Milo said there were several areas in the selection criteria where Nordstrom, at 1425 E. Dunne Ave., performed well.
“First off, it’s a real collaborative community of teachers, students … and the involvement of parents within the community here at Nordstrom,” she said.
“The academic curricular strengths were very strong, teachers are working very hard to meet the levels of all students,” she said.
The 650-student school has strong programs for high-achieving and low-performing students, as well as English language learners, Milo said. Technology has also become a major focus for parents and staff.
On standardized testing, Nordstrom students rank in the 90th percentile of all schools in the state. It received an Academic Performance Index (API) score of 853 this year.
“Obviously, the API scores and the amount of growth that our subgroups made, that was well documented in the application,” Milo said.
Milo said the school is planning a celebration for students and staff that will be held on June 7. An awards ceremony for this year’s 302 California Distinguished Schools will be held May 21 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.
“Distinguished schools are models of excellence,” said Jack O’Connell, state superintendent of public instruction, in a release. “These schools have high expectations for their students and are holding themselves accountable for progress. By embracing rigorous standards and providing targeted support, they are a testament to what can be accomplished in public education and an affirmation that staying focused and on track is a formula for success.”
This year’s awards were given to elementary schools. Secondary schools are awarded in alternate years.
Because it won the award this year, Nordstrom Elementary will not be eligible to apply again until 2008.
