NGUOI VIET 2
There is cause for celebration at Pacifica High School as the Garden Grove Unified School District campus was named a 2013 recipient of the prestigious California Distinguished School award.
Pacifica is among 26 Orange County middle and high schools and 218 statewide chosen based on overall excellence, performance on state and federal accountability measures, and documented progress in narrowing achievement gaps among key student groups.
Schools invited to submit applications underwent a rigorous review process conducted by state and county education officials. Those schools judged to be exemplary were visited by independent teams to validate information provided in their applications, including first-hand scrutiny of two successful signature practices identified by the school.
All selected schools also must meet identified benchmarks of the Academic Performance Index (API), a composite measure of state test scores ranging from 400 to 1000, with 800 being the state target. For Distinguished School eligibility, high schools must satisfy all API improvement targets and have an overall 2012 growth API of 782 or better. Pacifica recorded a 2012 API of 864, a 66-point increase from 2008.
“Pacifica High School is honored and proud of earning the recognition as a California Distinguished School,” Principal Jason Bevacqua said. “We earned this award through the collaborative efforts of students, parents, teachers, staff, and the community. Pacifica High School will continue to strive for excellence … and we are dedicated to helping all students reach their personal best.”
Distinguished Schools represent approximately 10 percent of California’s public middle and high schools. As 2013 winners, each school receives a plaque, Distinguished School flag and state recognition.
The 2013 California Distinguished Schools will be honored at one of six regional awards programs in May. Ceremonies honoring the schools from Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties will take place May 21 at the Irvine Marriott Hotel.
California elementary and secondary schools are selected on alternate years for distinguished school honors.
Last year, Cook, Excelsior, Stanford and Sunnyside elementary schools were recognized as California Distinguished Schools for the GGUSD.
