More than a dozen secondary schools in L.A. Unified were announced Tuesday as Gold Ribbon Award winners by state Schools Superintendent Tom Torlakson in recognition of their success in implementing rigorous new academic and performance standards.
The award-winning middle and high schools are among 275 statewide honored for their outstanding teaching, learning and collaboration, as well as innovative efforts to create a positive climate on campus. The awards will be presented next month during ceremonies to be held in Los Angeles and other cities across California.
“These terrific schools are leading the way in embracing our rigorous academic standards and showing others how to help students succeed on their way to 21st century careers and college,” Torlakson said.
In announcing the winners, the state’s top educator singled out L.A. Unified’s Downtown Magnets High School for its Comprehensive Mathematics Achievement Gap plan, which provides tutoring and other supports to help eliminate the historic disparity between the performance of Latino and African-American students and their white and Asian counterparts.
Downtown Magnets was one of 13 District schools awarded Gold Ribbon status. The others are:
- Burroughs Middle School.
- Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet.
- Millikan Middle School.
- Bravo Medical Magnet High School.
- Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School.
- Franklin High School.
- Garfield High School.
- International Studies Learning Center at Legacy High School.
- King Drew Medical and Science Magnet High School.
- Marshall High School.
- Roosevelt Senior High Math, Science and Technology Magnet Academy.
- Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies.
Schools applied for the Gold Ribbon Award based on a model program or practice that includes standards-based activities, projects or strategies that can be replicated by other schools. The award acknowledged elementary schools last year.
“I am very proud of our Gold Ribbon schools, which are shining examples of innovation and creativity,” said L.A. Unified Superintendent Michelle King. “I applaud our administrators, teachers, employees and families for working together to help our students succeed.”
Written by: Office of Communications on April 18, 2017