Las Animas Elementary School recently won a coveted state award
for boosting its students’ proficiency on statewide standards and
doubling achievement targets, despite having a 44 percent
population of socioeconomically disadvantaged students, for the
second year in a row.
Las Animas Elementary School recently won a coveted state award for boosting its students’ proficiency on statewide standards and doubling achievement targets, despite having a 44 percent population of socioeconomically disadvantaged students, for the second year in a row.
Las Animas was one of 200 schools to receive the Title I Academic Achievement Award this week. It was the only school in Gilroy to receive the award. Only schools that receive federal funds for enrolling 40 percent or more of socioeconomically disadvantaged students were eligible.
“I was surprised we had gotten it,” said Las Animas Principal Silvia Reyes. “We made a lot of growth but I never thought about it in relationship with receiving the award again. This was very exciting for the staff. We’re very proud of our students’ achievement.”
“These schools deserve high praise for improving student achievement,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, who personally called each of the principals to share the news. “They have addressed barriers to student success and were able to create a school environment conducive to learning. I congratulate the teachers, staff, paraprofessionals, parents, and students who all worked hard this past year to improve. I hold these schools up as models for their success in ensuring that all students without regard to race, economic status, or physical or mental challenges are given the kind of education that allows them to achieve to their fullest potential.”
To meet the criteria for this distinction, Las Animas demonstrated that students are making significant progress toward proficiency on California’s academic content standards, O’Connell said. Additionally, the school’s socioeconomically disadvantaged students must have doubled the achievement targets set for them for two consecutive years to earn the award.
“Title I schools are the more challenging schools, because we’re dealing with students who have many different issues and barriers to success and achievement,” Reyes said.
Of the more than 9,000 schools in California, more than 6,000 of them participate in the Title I program.
The 200 awardees will be honored at a special awards ceremony April 27 and 28, 2009, at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel in Anaheim.
