Two Team SISD schools have earned 2016 National Excellence in Urban Education awards from the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) at San Diego State University for being outstanding and high-performing urban schools.
Mission Early College High School won the silver award and SPC Rafael Hernando Middle School earned a bronze award. They are two of 15 schools nationwide that will be recognized at the 2016 National Symposium on High-Performing Urban Schools on May 24 in San Diego.
“The faculty and staff at Mission Early College High School and Hernando Middle School are doing a phenomenal job providing a rigorous and relevant education for students and raising the bar for our commitment to academic excellence,” said SISD Superintendent José Espinoza. “We are extremely proud to have two schools recognized for this prestigious award. It is truly a team effort and these two schools are excelling by providing a high quality education to all students and engaging parents in their school community.”
Mission Early College and Hernando Middle, which received on-site visits during January, earned the awards for presenting the evidence of high achievement, rigorous content, engaging instruction, positive relationships among students, teachers, parents and administrators and continuous improvement efforts. Both demonstrated that their schools are achieving impressive academic results for every demographic group they serve, according to NCUST officials.
Finalists were selected from a large pool of applicants, including many schools that have earned recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools, National Title I Distinguished Schools, and winners of many other state and national awards.
Mission Early College will receive $2,500 for its silver award and still has an opportunity to earn a gold medal. All silver award winners are in the running for the gold ($5,000) award, which will be announced at the May ceremony, said Meya, Egan, an administrative support coordinator for NCUST.
At the May event, administrators from the schools and district will share processes and practices on their success. SISD leaders will describe their efforts to support and sustain these high-achieving urban schools. For more information visit www.ncust.org
