October was a month to celebrate at Coronado High School, as our Principal Karl Mueller and CUSD’s new superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Felix traveled to Washington, D.C. to pick up the high school’s certification as a “No Child Left Behind National Blue Ribbon School” presented by the Federal Department of Education.

Coronado High School was the one and only school in San Diego County and one of only 27 in the state of California to earn the award this year.

“It’s huge!” said Principal Mueller. “And it’s an award that I believe extends to all schools in Coronado as well as the parents and community who have supported our educational efforts toward excellence.”

Mueller said that Coronado is indeed a very special community. “Here, our students arrive on campus ready and eager to be challenged. That is the culture our entire school district and community have created.”

Upon notification of the award, Principal Mueller took a moment to consider the attributes of the high school. “Where do I begin?” said Mueller. “I could go on about each department and all that it offers our students.

“We are one of the few high schools in the county that offers both Advanced Placement classes and the International Baccalaureate program and believe in open enrollment in these programs. If a student is up to the challenge, we want to support him or her.”

Mueller is now in his third year as principal at CHS; previously he served CHS as vice principal. Before joining the district in 2005 he was an administrator with Audeo Charter School.

It’s actually the second time the high school has received the Blue Ribbon award, having earned it previously in 1997.

The National Blue Ribbon award program was established in 1982, and was renamed the No Child Left Behind National Blue Ribbon program in 2002. The program recognizes exemplary public and private schools, provides criteria upon which schools may themselves, and encourages the sharing of best practices among schools across the nation.

Mue l l e r says that the strategy of sharing best teaching practices is alive and well at CHS, and points to staff’s peer observation program. “Teachers use their prep to visit other classes and observe teaching strategies. These interdepartmental observations provide staff with opportunities to collaborate on projects and engage in constructive dialogue about instruction.

“Great teaching engages the child in the subject; it’s all about capturing the students’ interests. It’s always helpful to see how other teachers motivate students.”

In order to be eligible for the Blue Ribbon award, schools had to meet the Adequate Yearly Progress for their state for the past two years (a measurement of student participation on state assessments), include a foreign language as part of the curriculum for grades 7 through 12, not have received the award within the past five years, and not have any pending lawsuits. Schools must either perform in the top 10 percent in their state according to English and math assessments or have a 40 percent population of disadvantaged students and also have significantly improved student performance on state assessments.

Coronado High School excelled the academic assessment review, receiving the highest Academic Per formance Index score– an 850–of any school in the county. In addition to a c a d e m i c rigor, Mueller cited an extensive program of extracur r icular activities that extend beyond school day, adding, Our goal is for everyone to have a home at Coronado High.”

From athletics to student-organized clubs and musical theatre, programs beyond the classroom allow for students to become more involved with the school. Mueller notes that 11 percent of students participate in the school’s awardwinning Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program, and that the Coronado School of the Arts is a model program for other schools in California. This year the 28 clubs on campus have created opportunities for students to meet new friends and develop deeper connections to the school and community.

Student life and the culture on campus was also part of the accreditation criteria assessed by the Western Association for Schools and Colleges.

At the end of the past school year, six members of the association visited CHS to validate a self-study that examines strengths and critical areas of growth. Members toured classrooms in session to observe and evaluate the faculty, and evaluated curriculum, student progress, the school environment and factors beyond the classroom including parent and community involvement. As part of their tour, CoSA director Kris McClung prepared comprehensive background books on the school.

“Ms. McClung bleeds Islander green,” Mueller attests. “She is so committed to this school and her colleagues.”

At the end of the three-day assessment, the delegation addressed the CHS staff on the strengths and weaknesses of the school, presented a plan of action to continue to improve, and, finally, awarded the school with a six-year accreditation clearance, the longest term of accreditation possible and awarded to less than 10 percent of schools in the association data base.

With a six-year WASC accreditation and Blue Ribbon award in hand, CHS has become a model for public as well as private schools across the country.

“A parent approached me and said ‘I’d do anything for the Coronado Schools Foundation because my daughter is getting a private school education for free.’ I think that is a fair comparison,” says Mueller.

And it sure works for my family’s budget!