Nordstrom Elementary School was one of 22 schools in Santa Clara
County to be named a California Distinguished School by the state
Department of Education.
Nordstrom Elementary School was one of 22 schools in Santa Clara County to be named a California Distinguished School by the state Department of Education.
The prestigious award recognizes a school’s total academic program through a competitive process in which the school must show high academic expectations for students, dedication to state standards and strong leadership. Nordstrom Elementary completed a rigorous self-assessment that includes the entire school community and underwent an on-site evaluation by local educators.
“I think everyone is very excited, and everyone worked very hard to get where we’re at and still, the work is never done,” Principal Nancy Milo said. “That’s the great thing about this place, is that the work is never done, we’re always moving ahead.”
This is Nordstrom Elementary’s second Distinguished School award. It was last recognized in the mid-90s.
“I’m extremely pleased that Nordstrom – once again – has been named a distinguished school,” Superintendent Croline McKennan said Thursday. “I’m delighted. The staff and parent community worked very hard to write a high-quality application.
“It’s a high honor and a high honor to have qualified.”
Other Morgan Hill schools that qualified for the final review were El Toro, Los Paseos, Paradise Valley-Machado and the Charter School of Morgan Hill.
Milo said there were several areas in the selection criteria where Nordstrom, at 1425 E. Dunne Ave., performed well.
“First off, it’s a real collaborative community of teachers, students … and the involvement of parents within the community here at Nordstrom,” she said.
“The academic curricular strengths were very strong, teachers are working very hard to meet the levels of all students,” she said.
The 650-student school has strong programs for high-achieving and low-performing students, as well as English language learners, Milo said. Technology has also become a major focus for parents and staff.
On standardized testing, Nordstrom students rank in the 90th percentile of all schools in the state. It received an Academic Performance Index (API) score of 853 this year.
“Obviously, the API scores and the amount of growth that our subgroups made, that was well documented in the application,” Milo said.
Milo recently announced her resignation effective at the end of the school year. She was offered and has accepted the principalship of Silver Oak Elementary, in Silver Creek, located in south San Jose. Silver Oak was also recognized as a Distinguished School this year.
Nordstrom will be celebrating its award with students and staff that on June 7. An awards ceremony for this year’s 302 California Distinguished Schools will be held May 21 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.
“Distinguished schools are models of excellence,” said Jack O’Connell, state superintendent of public instruction, in a release. “These schools have high expectations for their students and are holding themselves accountable for progress. By embracing rigorous standards and providing targeted support, they are a testament to what can be accomplished in public education and an affirmation that staying focused and on track is a formula for success.”
This year’s awards were given to elementary schools. Secondary schools are awarded in alternate years.
Because it won the award this year, Nordstrom Elementary will not be eligible to apply again until 2008.
