California Awards Three Calabasas Schools

Three schools in Calabasas have been recognized by the state Department of Education as “California Distinguished Schools.”

Calabasas High School, and A.C. Stelle and A.E. Wright middle schools were among the 261 schools in the state to receive the recognition. Also recognized was Lindero Canyon middle school of Agoura.

Las Virgenes Superintendent Donald Zimring said, “This represents a grand slam for our school district. We had four schools apply, and all four were honored.”

Schools are chosen if they meet a complex set of criteria set by the state and cannot receive the distinction two years in a row.

In addition to improving overall test scores, schools must demonstrate that they have closed the “achievement gap” for some students.

That means most schools need to show academic progress among African-American, Hispanic, poor, or non-English speaking students at a higher rate than others. For schools that have primarily white or Asian students, the overall school test scores need to be higher.

The schools will officially be recognized at an awards ceremony in Anaheim’s Disneyland Hotel on May 29.