News

Thursday, February 11, 2010

CDE recognizes Santa Barbara Community Academy as a recipient of the Title I Academic Achievement Award

This morning, the California Department of Education (CDE) announced the selection of 238 schools in the state that will receive the 2010 Title I Academic Achievement Award. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell said, “These award recipients prove that with hard work and high expectations, students can overcome challenges and achieve academic success.” “By working together, administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents have raised student achievement and narrowed the achievement gap. I congratulate these schools and everyone who worked hard to make them deserving of this significant award.”

Santa Barbara Community Academy is the only school in Santa Barbara County that will receive the 2010 Title I Academic Achievement Award. “Receiving a California Achievement Award is an extraordinary accomplishment. The award recognizes the dedicated, strategic work of the Academy’s staff, students, and parents. It acknowledges their relentless pursuit of excellence for all,” said Associate Superintendent Robin Sawaske.

The Academy, which is currently preparing for a visit from the state as it is in consideration for designation as a California Distinguished School, was selected because it meets the criteria for Title I Academic Achievement Award consideration, including: demonstration that all students are making significant progress toward proficiency on the state’s academic and content standards; the school’s population is comprised of at least 40 percent of students classified as socioeconomically disadvantaged in both 2008 and 2009; the school’s socioeconomically disadvantaged students must have doubled the achievement targets set for them for two consecutive years; the school received Title I funds in both 2008 and 2009.

Abby Vasquez is the school’s interim head teacher-administrative designee. Amy Alzina, currently serving as the principal of Adams Elementary School, was the school’s leader during the 2008 and 2009 school years.

Santa Barbara Community Academy is located on the La Cumbre Junior High School campus. The address is 850 Portesuello Avenue, Santa Barbara, 687-2081. The Academy serves 265 students, 67.5 percent are socioeconomically disadvantaged.