Eight Surf City schools honored

Danette Goulet

Two Surf City schools received the the Nation’s top honors in

education, and six are on their way to having earned the title of

California Distinguished School.

Sowers Middle School in the Huntington Beach City School District and

Marine View Middle School in the Ocean View School District were named

National Blue Ribbon Schools Wednesday.

It is the highest distinction a school can receive from the federal

government, and one that takes time and dedication from the

administration, staff and parents to earn.

“It validates what we’re doing,” Ocean View Supt. James Tarwater

said. “Everything gets rated. It’s nice that our community gets

rated. It’s tough to get into that club.”Developed by the secretary of

education in 1982, the Blue Ribbon program was designed to identify and

give recognition to outstanding schools nationwide.

Before a school can even apply for this honor it must first achieve

Distinguished School status -- an honor bestowed on six schools in

Huntington Beach Wednesday.

Huntington Seacliff Elementary School in the city school district

along with Circle View, Golden View, Harbour View, Hope View and Star

View elementary schools in the Ocean View district were named California

Distinguished Schools.

The California Distinguished Schools Award is part of the School

Recognition Program, which was created to reward schools and provide

working models for other schools.

Each year it identifies and honors the state’s most exemplary and

inspiring public schools. Elementary and secondary schools are recognized

during alternate years.

The reward is also the precursor to earning the nation’s highest honor

bestowed on a school -- the National Blue Ribbon School Award.

When a school is named a California Distinguished School, it is

automatically eligible to apply for the national honor the following

year.