Skyline Elementary School in South San Francisco Named California Distinguished School for 2014
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., (May 2, 2014) – The South San Francisco Unified School District celebrated the recent announcement that Skyline Elementary School has been named a California Distinguished School for 2014. The announcement, made this week by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, serves as recognition of the school’s efforts to improve academic performance and reading and language development, especially among underperforming students and English language learners.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by the State of California for the innovative programs we have launched to accelerate learning and academic achievement among students who, for a variety of reasons, have fallen behind their peers,” said South San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent Alejandro Hogan. “We view our success as a district as contingent upon our ability to move all students forward and providing each with an equal opportunity to achieve success, not only in their academic career but also in the future workforce.”
In its recognition of Skyline Elementary School’s achievements, the State of California highlighted two signature practices that have helped to boost student academic performance: the school’s Reading Assistance Program and its English Language Development Program.
The Reading Assistance Program aims to identify students who may be falling behind their peers in reading and comprehension skills and providing them targeted support as early as the first grade. Program leaders continuously monitor students as they advance through the grades to ensure students’ skills and performance continue to progress. District leaders attribute much of the jump in student test scores among socio-economically disadvantaged students, who posted a 17-point API score increase from 2012 to 2013, to the success they have achieved with the Reading Assistance Program.
Also highlighted was the school’s award-winning English Language Development Program, which also provides targeted support for English language learners. The program, which was previously awarded the San Mateo County School Boards Association’s Kent Award, combines classroom support with a credentialed teacher who gives small group sessions daily by grade level to provide students additional instruction in a more focused, intimate setting. As a result of the success the program has delivered, English language learners at Skyline posted an API score of 887, a 21-point API score increase from 2012 to 2013, far exceeding the State goal of 800.
Skyline Elementary School Principal, Milissa Banister, credited classroom teachers and the school’s support staff for their dedication to the successful implementation of these programs to ensure that every student at Skyline is adequately prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in high school, college and beyond.
“While we are extremely proud of the success we have achieved at Skyline Elementary, the innovative programs we have developed to target and support historically underperforming students are only producing such tremendous results because of the investment our staff has made in ensuring our programs deliver real results for our students,” said Principal Banister. “Our teachers and support staff have truly embraced the District’s vision to adequately prepare every one of our students for academic success, and the honor of being named a California Distinguished School is really an acknowledgement of the commitment each of them has made to our students and their futures.”
About South San Francisco Unified School District: The mission of the South San Francisco Unified School District is to graduate responsible, productive, and environmentally aware citizens who have the skills necessary to contribute to a changing global society. Through quality instructional programs and challenging, creative curriculum, the District ensures opportunities for its students to experience individual expression and collaborative problem solving in a safe and stimulating environment. For more information: www.ssfusd.k12.ca.us.