The Preuss School at UCSD
Selected a 2007 California Distinguished School

April 18, 2007

By Pat JaCoby

The Preuss School at the University of California, San Diego, is one of nine middle and high schools in San Diego County – and the only charter school – to be selected a 2007 California Distinguished School, an annual award that recognizes some of the state’s most exemplary public schools.

The announcement came in calls to each school principal, including Preuss School principal Doris Alvarez, from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell who praised the selected schools as extraordinary places with devoted teachers, dedicated staff, and motivated principals.

“These middle and high schools have shown they are able to meet the challenge of providing their students with the kind of rigorous education that is essential to their future success in the classroom and the workplace,” O’Connell said.

Statewide, 171 California middle and high schools, representing about seven percent of the state’s nearly 2,400 middle and high schools, have been selected as 2007 California Distinguished Schools. The selected schools were chosen from 132 school districts in 35 counties. The Preuss School is in the San Diego Unified School District.

The process in determining the distinguished schools involved the initial submission of an application with in-depth descriptions of the school’s curriculum, instructional program, supports for students, and school climate. These applications were evaluated by the California Department of Education in partnership with the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, as well as with the help of local educators from across the state. All nominee schools were then reviewed during a site validation conducted by a team of external educators. The selected schools will each continue to be designated as a California Distinguished School until 2011.

Among the ways the Preuss School has distinguished itself this year:

To date, 94% of the graduating class of 2007 has been accepted to a four-year college or university. This surpasses the 91% figure for the past three years.

Five Preuss School students have been selected as Gates-Millennium Scholars – Bryan Frazier, Monika Langerica, Marlene Lleva, Truc Minh Ta, and Summer Puente. These students will be fully supported in college and graduate school as long as they maintain their grades and service to the community.

For further information on the Preuss School as a 2007 California Distinguished School, contact Donald Stump, (858) 822-6616, destump@ucsd.edu.

 

Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, 858-534-7404