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Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tina McGovern 415-749-3600 ext. 19, outreach@gatewayhigh.org
Gateway Awarded California Distinguished School Award
April 20th, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tina McGovern, 415-749-3600 x 19 or 415-297-5429
Gateway High School Awarded California Distinguished School Award
Gateway High School is one of only 2 SFUSD schools recognized for highest education honor in the state
San Francisco, CA – April 16, 2007 – The California Department of Education announced today that Gateway High School, a San Francisco public charter high school, is a 2007 California Distinguished School, the second time Gateway has achieved this honor. Gateway is the first charter high school in the state to receive this award twice.
KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy also received this honor. KIPP is located on the Burl Toler Campus in the same building with Gateway, “a distinguished building” notes Gateway Principal Sharon Olken. KIPP is an innovative fifth through eighth grade public school that prepares its students for the best high schools and colleges in the nation.
In his announcement this morning State Superintended Jack O’Connell said, "These middle and high schools are truly extraordinary places with devoted teachers, dedicated staff, and motivated principals."
Gateway’s Principal Sharon Olken upon hearing the news said, “Being selected as a California Distinguished School is a great tribute to the hard work of Gateway’s students, teachers and community and a validation of our belief that all students can learn at high levels. I am incredibly proud of the teaching and learning that take place at Gateway every day.”
KIPP’s Principal Lydia Glassie said, “It is an honor to be recognized in this way. This simply proves that with hard work, dedication, and high expectations, students can and will reach incredible academic heights. The staff at KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy is committed to ensuring that every one of our scholars climbs the mountain to college. With the amazing hard work of our students, families, and staff, we are demonstrating that there is no excuse for academic failure.”
Gateway’s mission is to provide a high quality college preparatory education to a wide range of learners. Gateway’s students come from more than 100 middle schools and more than one third will be the first in their families to attend college. 95% of Gateway’s graduates from the class of 2006 went on to college. In December 2006 Gateway was honored by the U.S. Department of Education as one of eight exemplary charter schools in the country. Gateway was praised for its success in closing the achievement gap in the DOE released book Charter High Schools Closing the Achievement Gap: Innovations in Education.
This year, the selected middle and high schools represent about 7 percent of California’s nearly 2,400 middle and high schools. Chosen from 132 school districts in 35 counties, these outstanding middle and high schools will continue to be designated as a California Distinguished School until 2011. Only 95 high schools in the entire state won the award this year.
About Gateway High School
Gateway was founded by a group of parents and educators who believed there was a need in the Bay Area for a smaller, personalized, college preparatory public high school with a commitment to and expertise in serving a diverse student population, including a significant number of students with learning differences. Now in its ninth year of school operations, Gateway is at full enrollment with 450 students in grades 9-12. Gateway’s 450 students come from more than 100 different middle schools. 13% of Gateway students are African-American, 24% Latino, 15% Asian/Pacific Islander, 40% Caucasian, and 3% Other Non-White. As mandated by the School’s charter, approximately 25% of the student body have previously identified learning differences, 2.5 times the LD enrollment in the average San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) high school.
About KIPP SF Bay Academy
KIPP stands for the Knowledge Is Power Program. KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy is an innovative fifth through eighth grade public school that prepares its students for the best high schools and colleges in the nation.
KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy is open to all students entering fifth grade in San Francisco. KIPP’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that hard work and dedication are the keys to success. San Francisco Bay Academy is the place for any student who wants to be ready for college and would benefit from rigorous academics, coupled with character development.
About the California Distinguished School Award
The list of 76 middle schools and 95 high schools who won the 2007 California Distinguished School Award may be accessed online at Distinguished School Awards - California School Recognition Program.
Initiated in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Program honors elementary and secondary schools in alternate years. Each year the CDE identifies and honors some of the state's most exemplary and inspiring public schools.
Competition for these awards is highly sought after by schools in all areas of the state. Of the State’s 2,400 middle and high schools, only 478 schools met the eligibility criteria based on their student achievement. Of these, 279 schools chose to submit an application, describing in-depth their curriculum, instructional program, supports for students, and school climate. Applications underwent an intensive evaluation process conducted by the California Department of Education in partnership with the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, and with the help of many local educators from across the state.
For more information on Gateway High contact Tina McGovern at 415-749-3600, ext.19, www.gatewayhigh.org “Measuring success one student at a time”
For more information on KIPP SF Academy contact Lydia Glassie, Principal at 415-440-4306. www.sfbayacademy.org
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