Blue Ribbon award comes home to Calabasas High

HAPPY DAYS-Above left, marching band student Kevin Hart and bandmate Ryan Kindel trumpet the success of Calabasas High in front of the school's mascot, the coyote. Far left, CHS Principal Dave Jackson and history teacher John Reich show that the school has won more than just a Blue Ribbon Award. Calabasas High School is among just 31 public schools and four private schools statewide to earn the prestigious 2006 National Blue Ribbon School title. The 23-year-old U.S. Department of Education program, now part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, honors the country's top schools.

This year, 359 U.S public institutions were recognized as Blue Ribbon schools.

"It's huge," Principal Dave Jackson said of the achievement. "Our school earned it."

He credits several factors.

"It's our professional teaching staff, it's the kids, it's the parents, it's our board of education, it's our district office, and the whole Calabasas community. Without the support we get from all these groups we could not have accomplished this amazing feat," Jackson said. The school's Parent Faculty Club has hundreds of v o l u n t e e r s who've been instrumental in the school's success. According to Jackson, "They are ready and willing to help me in every area."

Jackson acknowledged the Las Virgenes Unified School District's kindergartenthrougheighthgrade teaching staff for preparing students to perform well in high school.

"I have to give huge thanks to elementary and middle schools," Jackson said. "If they don't do their jobs, I can't do mine."

Each state nominates public K12 schools that are academically superior or demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. Private schools may also receive the honor, but they are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

"It's a validation of all the hard work that we do," said Patti Harris, an English teacher at Calabasas High. "We're pinching ourselves."

Jackson said that although students enjoy recognition for the "wow" factor stemming from the national title, they also know that the honor will help them stand out with college admissions officers, who see the school's designation included on transcripts.

"It says if we are a Blue Ribbon school, we have Blue Ribbon kids," Jackson said.

Although the award is a feather in the school's cap, Jackson believes Calabasas High's diverse programs and the high caliber of its teaching staff and student body are the real prize.

Academic success is measured each year by high scores on standardized tests, he said, but students who excel in rigorous advanced placement classes and pass tough AP exams each year are a better indicator of the school's high academic level.

Jackson said 431 students took 647 AP tests last year with a passing rate of 84 percent.

Jackson said the true mark of a successful school is how programs meet the needs of the entire student body-not just the needs of high achieving students. He said the school's Regional Occupational Program, better known as the ROP, has become enormously popular with students, who can take classes that include digital photography, computer animation and investing. More than 600 students are enrolled in a ROP class at the school.

Jackson is equally proud of the school's special education and coun

seling programs and afterschool tutoring sessions. This year Jackson and the Calabasas High counseling team initiated a "Coyote Connect" program, which helps eighth grade students make a smooth transition into high school.

Calabasas High previously was named a California Distinguished School.

Winners of the National Blue Ribbon School designation will be honored Nov. 9 and 10 at ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

For more information on the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, visit www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/ awards.html.