Richardson PREP HI Middle School, one of the highest performing schools in the region and state, is one of just two California campuses to earn national recognition for its extraordinary academic achievement.
Richardson was named a 2019 National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished School in December. The school, which serves about 600 economically disadvantaged students in grades six through eight, is being honored February 5-6 at the 2020 National ESEA Conference in Atlanta.
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA)—formerly the National Title I Association—selects examples of superior, federally funded school programs for national recognition through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools program (formerly known as the National Title I Distinguished Schools program). Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School in Los Angeles is the only other school in California to be selected for the honor.
In order for a school to qualify for the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Award, schools must meet the following NAESPA criteria:
- A poverty rate of at least 35 percent for the selected year
- Demonstrated high academic achievement for two or more consecutive years, and
- Met or exceed state-determined accountability criteria based on two or more consecutive years of achievement data
Representatives from the San Bernardino City Unified School District, including Richardson Principal Jenny Paige, are attending the ESEA conference and will share about the school’s success while also learning about other models of excellence from across the U.S.
Richardson’s continued success is attributed to skilled teachers who not only use student data to drive decisions but also nurture children.
“To be one of just two schools in California selected for this distinction is truly an honor,” Paige said. “Richardson PREP HI teachers and staff are making hope happen for students by challenging them to reach new academic heights and instilling in them the belief that social and economic circumstances don’t define their potential.
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A service of the Communications Department of San Bernardino City Unified School District