Yesterday, West High was recommended as a Gold Ribbon School for 2015.

In an email to all West High students, Principal Metz wrote that the “visiting committee validated our Gold Ribbon School application” and “formal announcement will come from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson in late April.”

For most Warriors, the California Gold Ribbon Schools Program Award will be an unheard accolade for them. This is because the more familiar award, the “California Distinguished Schools Program is on hiatus during the period of time required for California to transition to new assessment and accountability systems” according to the California Department of Education’s website. The Gold Ribbons Award will recognize middle and high schools in 2015 and 2016.

In light of the fact that public school districts across the nation are transitioning to common core standards, the California Gold Ribbon Schools Award emphasizes on recognizing schools that have made significant gains in implementing “the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education for all students, including English learners.”

Additionally, in Mrs. Metz’s email, it stated that “[West owes] a huge shoutout to Jim Evans for his ongoing leadership and ability to articulate the CCSS implementation process so very well.  The visiting committee was impressed by the level of rigor that they observed in English classrooms, the collaboration that they noted among teachers in unit planning, and the level of teacher leadership that is fostered and celebrated on this campus.”

Clearly, West High is on its way to adopting the revolutionary CCSS (Common Core State Standards) that will be the new face of education.