Ladera Ranch Middle School Lauded As CA Distinguished School

Mission Viejo CA

04 May, 2021

2:35 PM

Description

LADERA RANCH, CA — Ladera Ranch Middle School is one of just 11 Orange County schools and 102 middle and high schools in California to receive the honor this year. Ladera Ranch Middle School first was named a California Distinguished School award in 2008. It was the only Capistrano Unified School District school awarded this honor for 2021, according to the state. Principal George Duarte spoke on what it means to be named one of the 11 Orange County Distinguished Schools. "At Ladera Ranch Middle School, we believe we were selected because of our ExceptionalStudent Performance," Principal George Duarte said. "Our entire staff takes ownership of ALLthe students. We believe that when we come together as a staff and assume the responsibility(and the privilege) of looking after all the children, academic achievement increases, suspensionsand absenteeism rates decline, and students feel connected and supported on campus. At LRMS,this is a team effort that continues to involve all staff members. We are very proud to berecognized." California Distinguished Schools are recognized for excellent work in either closing theachievement gap or achieving exceptional student performance, State Superintendent of PublicInstruction Tony Thurmond stated. Schools are identified by the California Department of Education each year based onperformance and their progress on state indicators including test scores, suspension rates,conditions and climate. The indicators are specified on the California School Dashboard, anaccountability and continuous improvement system. The awards are sponsored by the California Department of Education and presented by California Casualty. In Orange County, the following schools were named as Distinguished Schools for 2021: Anaheim Union High, John F. Kennedy HighAnaheim Union High, Oxford AcademyCapistrano Unified, Aliso Niguel HighCapistrano Unified, Ladera Ranch MiddleFullerton Elementary, D. Russell Parks Junior HighFullerton Joint Union High, Troy HighGarden Grove Unified, Hilton D. Bell IntermediateGarden Grove Unified, James Irvine Intermediate Garden Grove Unified, La Quinta HighGarden Grove Unified, Sarah McGarvin IntermediateIrvine Unified, Lakeside MiddleIrvine Unified, Northwood HighIrvine Unified, University HighLos Alamitos Unified, Sharon Christa McAuliffe MiddleNewport-Mesa Unified, Early College HighOcean View, Vista View MiddlePlacentia-Yorba Linda Unified, Col. J. K. Tuffree MiddlePlacentia-Yorba Linda Unifie, Kraemer MiddleSanta Ana Unified, Middle College HighTustin Unified, Arnold O. Beckman HighWestminster, Helen Stacey Middle "These schools are great examples of California's commitment to provide outstanding publiceducation for all students, and their data-driven efforts have helped ensure that their studentsleave with the tools and skills they need to be successful after graduation," Thurmond stated in apress release. "Our thanks go to the entire communities surrounding these schools, including theteachers, administrators, and classified employees as well as the students and their families who,through teamwork, all accomplished this impressive achievement together." Distinguished Schools represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning, andcollaboration, but also highly successful, data-driven school efforts ranging from professionaldevelopment to positive behavior intervention, the state's press release stated.