Oak Hills may get blue again
By Michael Picarella
Acorn Staff Writer

For the second time in history, Oak Hills Elementary School (OHES) in Oak Park has been nominated for school achievement.

In 1992, OHES was chosen as a Blue Ribbon school. After waiting the minimum five years before reapplying, the school sought and was accepted this year as one of 49 schools to be picked from 92 elementary schools in California as a National Blue Ribbon nominee.

Now in its 18th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), recognizes elementary and secondary schools in alternating years.

To become a nominee, the state must submit a 50-page self-study of the school, which took place in October. It included information on student focus and support, organization and culture, challenging standards and curriculum, active teaching and learning, leadership and educational vitality, and a look into family and community.

Once a school is announced as a nominee, as OHES was on Nov. 20, applications are then sent to the USDE.

This year, a review panel in Washington, D.C. will read applications in January. Based on the information read, the panel will recommend schools for site visits. To verify the accuracy of the information included in the school applications, a national team will initiate the two-day site visit. Site visits will take place in February and April.

The National Blue Ribbon school winners will be announced by the U.S. Secretary of Education in late May. The schools will be honored at a White House ceremony next fall.

Oak Hills Elementary School is one of three schools in Ventura County to be nominated as a Blue Ribbon school this year. Eight schools were nominated in Los Angeles County, eight schools in Orange County and 10 schools in San Diego County.

For more information about the National Blue Ribbon schools program, contact Kimberley Edwards in the California Department of Education’s Office of Policy and Evaluation at (916) 657-4845.

For updates on Oak Hills Elementary School’s progress in the Blue Ribbon race, watch The Acorn.