Hillview Middle School in Menlo Park is recipient of Gold Ribbon Schools Award Program

Hillview Middle School in Menlo Park was among eight San Mateo County middle and high schools awarded this year’s Gold Ribbon Award Program by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

The California Gold Ribbon Schools Award was created to temporarily replace the California Distinguished Schools Program, which is on hiatus while the state transitions to its new assessment and accountability systems. The 2015 award recognizes middle schools and high schools that have made gains in implementing the rigorous academic and performance standards outlined by the State Board of Education, which include the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics as well as the Next Generation Science Standards. Elementary schools will be recognized in 2016.

This year, schools self-nominated for the award by submitting information on a model program that helped students successfully adapt to the new standards. The model programs needed to include standards-based activities, projects, strategies, and practices that could be applied to other schools and districts.

Photo by Linda Hubbard