Two schools in San Diego County were Tuesday named national Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Deer Canyon Elementary, in the Poway Unified School District, and Santa Fe Christian Middle School, a private school in Solana Beach, were among 285 public and 50 private schools in the U.S. to receive the honor. Of those, 33 were in California.
"California's newly selected Blue Ribbon Schools are among the best in the nation and reflect our state's commitment to preparing students for college and career," said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.
"We celebrate these models of excellence as they shine in the national spotlight," he said."I congratulate all the hardworking students, teachers, parents, staff, and administrators who made this recognition possible."
Schools are selected for overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups.
Officials with the awarded schools will attend a national awards ceremony in early November in Washington, D.C.
Each winner will receive a plaque and flag, which can be flown at their schools as a mark of excellence.
