Chet Harritt School Principal Stephanie Pierce is surrounded by students Courtney Melanson,
Emily Best, Jadarion Blakemore, Thomas Best, Melissa Mongiovi and Sierra Tade.

27 Local Schools Earn Coveted 2008
California Distinguished School Awards

State Schools Chief O’Connell Adds Personal Touch with
Phone Calls to Principals of Honored Schools

Twenty-seven San Diego County public elementary schools have been selected as 2008 California Distinguished Schools, and each received a personal phone call of congratulations from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.

Statewide, a total of 343 California public elementary schools were among those awarded. The honored schools came from 189 different school districts and 39 counties throughout the state.

Among the 27 local schools was Chet F. Harritt School in Santee, where Principal Stephanie Pierce expressed pride in the students and staff. “Since receiving this wonderful news there has been a boost in our schools morale, and an increase in the enthusiasm for learning,” she said. “I am very proud of this achievement and the dedication of our staff, who are all driven to make every student successful.”

Pierce and representatives of the 26 other 2008 Distinguished Schools will be honored at an awards ceremony and dinner at the Disneyland Hotel in Orange County on May 16.

The selection criteria for the Distinguished School program was more extensive than previous years. Schools were required to complete a comprehensive application, and were subject to a thorough site visit by teams of educators from across the state.

Harritt School has become a veteran to California Distinguished School recognition. They were previously honored in 1989, 1995 and 2002. “Each year our students continue to excel academically,” said Pierce. “Our entire staff, parents and students have each done something to make this possible. Chet F. Harritt Elementary has amazing district support.”

A total of 839 elementary schools submitted applications and were identified for eligibility for Distinguished School status on the basis of their Academic Performance Index and Adequate Yearly Progress results. Schools with the highest scoring applications are selected as statewide nominees. The statewide nominees then received a site visit to validate their applications.