Motivation to learn is the key

The best schools in the country rely on driven parents, students and faculty, according to Newport Harbor High School Principal Michael Vossen and Corona del Mar High School Principal Fal Asrani.

Both would know since they lead the two Newport-Mesa schools recently ranked among the best in the country by “U.S. News & World Report.” The magazine surveyed more than 18,500 schools nationwide looking for those that perform better than they’re statistically expected, have underprivileged students who score well on standardized tests and students who graduate prepared for college.

Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar high schools were among 405 schools ranked “silver,” meaning they met the magazine’s standards but were not in the top 100.

Newport Harbor High School student body President Alex Shaw can’t pin his school’s standing to any one thing.

“I don’t know. We have really dedicated students and a great staff,” Alex said. “Everyone is just kind of happy and wanting to learn. Everyone wants to go to college and they’re really motivated.”

Mark Zimmerman, who teaches algebra and calculus at Corona del Mar, agreed the students are strongly motivated to do well at his school, too.

“I’ve taught in other schools where it wasn’t necessarily the teaching or anything that was much different. Really, when you have good teaching with unmotivated kids there’s only so much you can accomplish,” Zimmerman said. “When you have good teaching with motivated kids you can accomplish much more. So it’s a combination.”

Corona del Mar’s national recognition is not just an accomplishment, it’s encouragement to stay motivated, Asrani said.

“We’re by no means a great school. We’re a very good school. The moment we say we’re a great school we’re going to sit back and relax,” Asrani said. “What we believe at CdM is the students need to take responsibility for the learning. We will get you to the next level of excellence if you just trust us and do the work that we ask you to do.”

That’s true at Newport Harbor, too, Principal Vossen said.

“The task in front of us is to challenge the best and the brightest, push hard at the, ‘But I’m OK with a C-average’ kid and support our at-risk students with additional resources,” Vossen said. “We got the silver medal, but we’re going for the gold.”

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.