CURIOUS MIND—A student studies science at Heschel West Day School in Agoura. Heschel West was one of only five private schools in the state to receive the National Blue Ribbon Award. Heschel West Day School in Agoura received the National Blue Ribbon Award on Sept. 9. Blue Ribbon status is award by the United States government to the top 10 percent of schools nationwide, based upon academic achievement.

Heschel West officials say the school's success is founded upon its commitment to the "whole-child" education. The school's teachers and staff ensure that students reach their highest potential in terms of academic excellence while providing a nurturing environment that promotes strong values and responsible citizenship.

The school gives students an integrated general and Judaic education that stresses intellectual, spiritual and creative development.

"Often parents come to us believing they have to choose between schools that provide children with rigorous academics and those that build strong values," said Tami Weiser, Heschel West's Head of School.

"This Blue Ribbon Award is validation of what we knew all along at Heschel West—families can come to us and find everything they are seeking at one school," Weiser said.

Heschel West has operated in Agoura since 1994. This year, students from the school's initial graduating class are old enough to attend college. Graduates have been accepted at prominent universities throughout the nation, such as the University of California at Berkeley, USC and Penn State University.

Heschel West graduate Aliana Greenberg, who grew up in Westlake Village, is now a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania.

"At Heschel West, students interacted closely with teachers right from the beginning," Greenberg said. "Now it's easy for me to communicate with professors, even if there are a hundred people in the class."

Heschel West invites the community to celebrate its Blue Ribbon Award at Mitzvah Day from 9 a.m. to noon Sun., Nov. 2. The campus is at 27400 Canwood Street in Agoura.

Heschel West has dedicated Mitzvah Day to helping to solve the problem of illiteracy in other communities. Mitzvah Day activities will include collecting books, school supplies and backpacks for underprivileged students and schools.

Blue Ribbon Awards are given to public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are academically superior and demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievementl evel.The schools also serve as models for other schools throughout the nation.

Heschel was one of only five private schools and 27 public schools to receive the award.

"This has been a very tough year for schools as they face higher accountability standards and at the same time shrinking budgets as a result of the economy and lack of a state budget," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said. "The fact that these schools are named Blue Ribbon Schools this year is truly a testament to the hard work and determination of their students and school staff to excel."