National Blue Ribbon Schools

2016

Two Oakland Unified Schools District elementary schools - Hillcrest and Thornhill - are each named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School. The two schools are among 279 public and 50 private schools receiving this honor.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. 

"I'm proud to see the academic success of these schools," Superintendent Antwan Wilson said. "This prestigious award affirms the tremendous work of the Thornhill and Hillcrest communities - from the administration and faculty to staff, students and parents - in creating environments where students feel safe, welcome, and nurtured, and where they can thrive."

The National Blue Ribbon Schools flag is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning when displayed on school buildings across the country.

"The Hillcrest family is honored to be named a 2016 Blue Ribbon School," said Sherry Segura, Principal at Hillcrest Elementary. "This recognition is the result of a community united to support student achievement."

"National Blue Ribbon Schools are proof that we can prepare every child for college and meaningful careers," King said to honorees. "Your schools are on the cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices - professional learning communities, project-based learning, social and emotional learning, positive behavior systems - making you shining examples for your communities, your state and the nation," King added.

"The high expectations, teamwork and collaboration we have at Thornhill are paying off," said Thornhill Principal Steven Daubenspeck. "We earned this award thanks to all our hard-working teachers and their focus on content areas, differentiated instruction and targeted intervention, and our staff's commitment to fostering strong relationships."

For more information about the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, please visit http://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/

2015

Montclair Elementary Named National Blue Ribbon School

OUSD's Montclair Elementary has been named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School, one of the highest honors in K­12 education. The school is one of four in Alameda County, one of 11 in the Bay Area, and one of 33 in California to earn this honor. Nationwide, just 335 of the more than 98,000 schools in the U.S. received the prestigious award. "The entire community is thrilled to learn that we've named a Blue Ribbon School. It's tremendously gratifying to see our collective contributions recognized on a national level," said Nancy Bloom, who has served as Montclair's principal for the past 10 years.

2011

Peralta Elementary Wins the 2011 National “Blue Ribbon” School Honor

OUSD's Peralta Elementary has been named a 2010-2011 National Blue Ribbon School, one of the highest honors available in K-12 education. The school is one of two in Alameda County, one of four in the Bay Area, and one of just 21 in the state of California, to earn this prestigious recognition. The Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that are "national models of excellence," as demonstrated by superior overall achievement as well as substantial accomplishment in the face of economic challenges. Click here for more information.

Check out the links below to see Peralta's great press!

KQED radio

CBS News

Oakland Tribune

2010

Lincoln Elementary Wins the 2010 National "Blue Ribbon" School Honor

OUSD's Lincoln Elementary has been named a 2010 National Blue Ribbon School, one of the highest honors available in K-12 education. The school, located in Oakland's Chinatown section, is the only school in Alameda County, and one of just 25 in the state of California, to earn this recognition. Five Northern California schools, three in the Bay Area, received the prestigious award.

"Today was a wonderful day as I watched, by video, Education Secretary Arne Duncan announcing that Lincoln Elementary would be receiving the 2010 National Blue Ribbon Award," said Lincoln Principal John Melvin. "This is a tremendous honor. Lincoln has a long history of serving the immigrant population of the Oakland Chinatown community. This Blue Ribbon Award acknowledges academic success over time and we are proud to have sustained excellence. This award is a testament to the hard work and efforts of our students, teachers, staff and families."