Twenty elementary schools in San Diego County have been recognized as distinguished schools in California. State Superintendent Jack O'Connell released his annual list of top-notch public schools today. One school that made the list is KIPP-Adelante Academy in downtown San Diego. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis explains why:
KIPP-Adelante principal Kelly Wright calls her students the hardest working middle school students in San Diego. That's because their day begins at 7:30 in the morning, and ends at five in the afternoon. Wright says her students are able to learn more in and outside of the classroom.
Wright: "For example science everyday, history everyday. If we want to go on a field trip we can go because we have the longer day, we have the time to do that. And so our students are frequently off-campus."
So far the 7th grade class has visited 11 California colleges since school began. The long school days also help students to catch-up academically. Sixty percent of students at KIPP-Adelante are English learners.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
