Newport Harbor hopes for blue ribbon status

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT BEACH -- Newport Harbor High School is striving to be the best --

and is well on its way.

After being named a California Distinguished School last year, the school

is in the running for a national Blue Ribbon Award, the highest honor

bestowed by the federal government on a local school.

If awarded Blue Ribbon status, Newport Harbor would be the third

Newport-Mesa school in three years to receive the honor.

“It is a validation of all the work you’ve done,” said Principal Bob

Boies.

Boies was notified recently that state officials have recommended the

school be included in the nationwide evaluation to determine the

country’s best schools.

If chosen as a national finalist, the school would then have to pass

personal inspections by officials with the U.S. Department of Education.

For now, all Newport Harbor teachers and students can do is anxiously

await the Feb. 1 announcement.

The visits will be made through April and then the decision will be made.

Two years ago Newport Harbor rival Corona Del Mar High School was named a

Blue Ribbon school. And in October, Lincoln Elementary School went to

Washington D.C. to receive its Blue Ribbon plaque.

“The students, parents and staff worked collaboratively to receive this,”

said Rosemary Munoz, principal of Lincoln Elementary. “We wish Newport

Harbor the very best in their efforts to join us in this status.”

The Blue Ribbon program was developed by the secretary of education in

1982 as a way to critique schools and recognize the outstanding ones

across the country.

The honor, Boies said, helps students on college applications and rewards

parents, foundations and the PTA, which create and fund the programs that

earn the school the recognition.

“I think it’s absolutely marvelous,” said school board president Serene

Stokes. “We are certainly showing that our schools are doing an excellent

job of educating students and involving parents.”