Sacramento area has 3 of best schools in 2024, US government says. Does your child go to one?
Three Sacramento-area public schools are among the best in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Lake Forest Elementary School in El Dorado Hills, West Campus High School in Sacramento and William Kaseberg Elementary School in Roseville were among the California schools recently named as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools award program honors schools with "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.
What are National Blue Ribbon Schools?
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes outstanding schools based on "high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students," the agency said on its website.
The awards program also aims to share the best practices of those schools across the country.
Since its inception in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program has given nearly 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, the Education Department said.
Which Sacramento-area schools got awards?
Lake Forest Elementary School, 2240 Sailsbury Drive in El Dorado Hills, has more than 400 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Part of Rescue Union Elementary School District, the school was honored for its high performance and work to close the achievement gap.
At Lake Forest Elementary, "there is a strong focus on meeting students' academic, social and emotional needs, which is crucial for creating a supportive and effective learning environment," the U.S. Education Department said on the National Blue Ribbon Schools website.
William Kaseberg Elementary School , 1040 Main St. in Roseville, serves nearly 300 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
The school, which belongs to the Roseville City Elementary School District, was honored in the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools category.
William Kaseberg Elementary School caters to students with "a diverse range of economic and cultural needs," it said on the National Blue Ribbon Schools website.
West Campus High School , 5022 58th St. in Sacramento, has nearly 900 students in ninth through 12th grades. It was honored in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category.
Part of the Sacramento City Unified School District, the school said it serves "academically motivated students."
"We have a focus on college preparation and view this mission to encompass academics, extra-curriculars, athletics, as well as social emotional learning," the school said on the National Blue Ribbon Schools website.
U.S. News & World Report previously ranked West Campus High at No. 1 on its list of the best high schools in the Sacramento metropolitan area. The school also topped the publication's list of the best high schools in Sacramento City Unified.
What are other California schools on the list?
A total of 30 California schools received National Blue Ribbon Schools honors in 2024.
They included Design Science Middle College High School in Fresno and Los Ranchos Elementary School in San Luis Obispo.
In a Monday news release, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored the award recipients.
"Their commitment to creating an inclusive and outstanding learning environment embodies our mission for education here in California," he said. "Their dedication is an inspiration to us all, and we proudly celebrate this remarkable achievement."
The Golden State had the second highest number of National Blue Ribbon Schools in 2024, following Texas with 31.
This story was originally published September 27, 2024, 3:11 PM.
