VENTURA : 2 Schools Earn Distinguished Status

Two Ventura middle schools are among 141 schools statewide that have been honored by the state Department of Education’s California Distinguished Schools Program.

De Anza and Anacapa are the first Ventura middle schools to be honored in the statewide program, which evaluates schools using several criteria, including the number of students enrolled in advanced math and science programs and attendance rate.

The program also recognizes student achievement on the California Assessment Program test, an annual examination that gauges academic performance.

In addition to the other criteria, De Anza received the honor for improved CAP scores, while Anacapa was honored for consistently high scores, state officials said.

When Anacapa staff and students learned of the honor this week, Principal Charlotte McElroy said, “They were very pleased and proud of themselves, and deservedly so.”

Anacapa students’ CAP scores have been consistently above the 75th percentile, rising from 292 in reading and 272 in math in 1985-86, to 308 in reading and 296 in math for 1987-88, said Jeffrey Davies, director of evaluation and informational services for the Ventura Unified School District. (See related story on page B1.)

And at De Anza, Principal Lorraine Becker said the school’s scores have risen dramatically since officials began increasing preparation for the test, including having a motivational speaker address students, and serving special breakfasts before CAP tests are administered.

Officials from both schools will attend a special ceremony in Anaheim in May to honor distinguished schools.