SLO County has one of the best schools in 2024, US Education Department says. Here’s why

A San Luis Obispo County public school is one of the best in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Los Ranchos Elementary School in San Luis Obispo was named one of 356 National Blue Ribbon Schools in the United States, the agency announced Monday, Sept. 23.

The 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.

Los Ranchos Elementary was the only school in San Luis Obispo County to receive National Blue Ribbon Schools honors in 2024, according to the list of award winners .

Why is SLO school one of the best in US?

Los Ranchos Elementary School, 5785 Los Ranchos Road in San Luis Obispo , serves 474 students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. The school is part of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District.

Los Ranchos Elementary teaches students who are 69% white, 15% Hispanic, 11% two or more races and 5% Asian, according to student demographic statistics .

The school was nominated in the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools category, which recognizes public schools that have made the largest leaps in closing student achievement gaps in English and math, the Education Department said.

Only schools that were in the top 15% were selected for Blue Ribbon awards.

The federal department looked at student data from the past three to five years during its decision-making process.

Los Ranchos Principal James McMillen said the school succeeded due to an individualized approach that gives students direct support and attention to achieve their academic goals.

“There is buzz among the campus right now,” McMillen said. “There’s a sense of pride when you walk around right now because of this recognition.”

In its application for the award, Los Ranchos described its “Leader in Me” environment where students play an active leadership role in creating community and respectful learning environments.

The school also attributed its success to a dedicated staff and faculty, intentional partnerships with families and a robust range of enrichment programs.

Los Ranchos Elementary offers robotics and garden clubs, plus an Innovation Lab, athletics, visual art, band, drama and dance.

Dozens of California schools get Blue Ribbon awards

Los Ranchos Elementary School was one of 30 schools in California selected as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored the award recipients in a news release on Monday.

“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.

What are National Blue Ribbon Schools? How are winners chosen?

The National Blue Ribbon Award was launched in 1982 to spotlight exemplary schools across the United States.

Over the years, the program has granted nearly 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 American schools.

Up to 421 public schools and 50 private schools can be nominated for the award each year. Schools can be nominated in two categories: Exemplary High Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing.

Public schools are selected by top education officials in each state, while private schools are picked by the Council for American Private Education.

The Department of Education conducts “a rigorous review process” to determine the winners, selecting schools that share these core elements:

• Articulate a vision of excellence

• Hold everyone to high standards

• Maintain focus on teaching and learning

• Value and support faculty through professional development

• Use data to hone instruction and student support services

• Families, communities and educators work together toward common goals

Recipients of the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award will be honored in a ceremony held on Nov. 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C.