National Blue Ribbon Award | Two Schools Nominated for Prestigious Honor

Arroyo Vista and Monterey Hills elementary schools have been nominated at National Blue Ribbon award winners, the highest honor schools can receive

PHOTO: Eric Fabbro | SouthPasadenan.com News | Monterey Hills and Arroyo Vista elementary schools have been nominated as National Blue Ribbons, a highly prestigious honor

Two South Pasadena campuses seek to be among the elite, the best of the best, in the United States.

Arroyo Vista and Monterey Hills are waiting on word if they have been selected as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

“It’s the highest recognition a school can receive,” explained South Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Geoff Yantz.

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The National Blue Ribbon School Award, according to the organization’s website, affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.

Exemplary high performing schools are among highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Now in its 36th year, the U. S. Department of Education has awarded more than 8,800 schools with the high honor.

PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Monterey Hills Elementary

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, a U.S. Department of Education award, was created in 1982.

Superintendent Yantz said AV and MHS should learn by the end of September or early October if they have been honored with the highly-prestigious award.

“I’m very proud of the two schools,” said Yantz. “Just being nominated and having the opportunity to apply is an honor and significant accomplishment. If they do receive it, even having one in a district of five schools is extraordinary. And to be able to have two of your five schools [nominated] is that much more extraordinary.”

All of the schools in the high performing South Pasadena Unified School District at some point in time have received California Distinguished Awards over the years.