Twenty elementary schools in Riverside County were on the list of California Distinguished Schools released today (April 9, 2008) by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.

(Riverside County Schools are listed below. The complete list is at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/).

O'Connell named a total of 343 exemplary California public elementary schools from 189 districts in 39 counties selected as 2008 California Distinguished Schools.

This year, the selection criteria for the Distinguished School program were more stringent than ever. Schools wrote a substantive narrative application and then were subject to an extensive site validation. “Most heartening, many of the schools we are recognizing today as the ‘best of the best’ have overcome significant educational challenges, showing that it is possible to provide opportunities for success to all students,” O’Connell said.

This year, 300 (87.4 percent) of the award-winning schools serve populations high in minority student representation and 182 (53.1 percent) of them are educating students who are learning English.

O’Connell also applauded California’s 34 nominees for the 2008 National No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon Schools Program that were announced in November. These schools will be honored along with the 2008 California Distinguished Schools during an awards ceremony and dinner at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 16.

The California School Recognition Program is now in its 23rd year and identifies and honors the state's most exemplary and inspiring public schools with the California Distinguished School Award. Although participation is voluntary, the award is highly sought after by schools in all areas of the state. Elementary and secondary schools are recognized during alternate years.

For the current year, 839 elementary schools submitted applications and were identified for eligibility on the basis of their Academic Performance Index and Adequate Yearly Progress results. All applicants underwent a rigorous selection process conducted by the California Department of Education, with the help of many local educators from across the state, and in partnership with the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association.

Alvord Unified, Promenade Elementary

Beaumont Unified, Brookside Elementary

Corona-Norco Unified, Benjamin Franklin Elementary

Corona-Norco Unified, Eisenhower Elementary

Corona-Norco Unified, Lincoln Alternative Elementary

Corona-Norco Unified, Prado View Elementary

Corona-Norco Unified, Temescal Valley Elementary

Desert Sands Unified, Amelia Earhart School

Hemet Unified, Idyllwild Elementary

Jurupa Unified, Sunnyslope Elementary

Lake Elsinore Unified, Tuscany Hills Elementary

Menifee Union Elementary, Callie Kirkpatrick Elementary