Fresno has one of the best schools in US, education officials say. Does your child go there?
A Fresno high school is one of the best in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Design Science Middle College High School was one of 30 California schools recently named as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools award program honors "high-performing schools and schools that are making great strides in closing achievement gaps," the federal Education Department said on its website.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the 2024 award recipients on Monday, Sept. 23.
What makes Fresno high school one of the best in US?
Design Science Middle College High School, 1101 East University Ave. in Fresno, was honored in the category of Exemplary High Performing Schools.
The magnet school has 241 students and is part of the Fresno Unified School District. It's located on the Fresno City College Campus.
"Design Science empowers a diverse student population, made up mostly of first-generation college students and those most underrepresented in post-secondary education," the National Blue Ribbon Schools website said. "The teachers, counselors and staff meet with students and their families to develop unique educational plans to ensure students' individual success."
Students can take high school and college credit courses through a dual enrollment program.
Many students at Design Science earn associate degrees in fields such as liberal arts foreign languages and science, technology, engineering and mathematics, gaining college credits that are transferable to California public universities.
The school's environment fosters "students' academic, social-emotional and leadership skills," the U.S. Education Department said.
Design Science principal Floridia Cheung shared news about the school's Blue Ribbon Schools status on X, previously known as Twitter.
"Thank you to every student and adult past and present who builds and cultivates where we constantly learn and grow together," Cheung wrote in a Monday post, calling Design Science the "best school in the universe."
California campuses made Blue Ribbon Schools list?Three of the 30 schools awarded as Blue Ribbon Schools in 2024 are in the Sacramento area: West Campus High School in Sacramento, Lake Forest Elementary School in El Dorado Hills and William Kaseberg Elementary School in Roseville.
Other schools on the list included Los Ranchos Elementary School in San Luis Obispo.
