Heron, Witter Ranch named ‘Honor Roll’ schools by business coalition

--- Published on May 18th 2016 ---
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Heron and Witter Ranch were named “Honor Roll” schools today by a California business coalition for demonstrating consistently high academic achievement and improvement over time while reducing achievement gaps.

The Honor Roll was created by analyzing achievement data to identify higher-performing schools and highlight successful practices that benefit students, according to the nonprofit business coalition, which began its annual award program more than a decade ago.

Heron and Witter Ranch were among 1,714 California public schools that were named to this year’s Honor Roll by the coalition, consisting of the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE). Two NUSD charter schools also were selected – Natomas Charter and NP3 middle and high school.

“These Honor Roll schools are setting their students on the path to a college degree and the financial security of a living-wage job,” said Lee Blitch, ERP Board chairman, president of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and former vice president of San Francisco State University.

“Many schools are doing well and the Honor Roll proves it,” said Jim Lanich, president of the coalition. “Students are achieving at higher levels than anyone admits and more students than ever are succeeding when given the opportunity. All schools, no matter what zip code they are in, can achieve this kind of success. Leadership from the business community is critical to ensuring successes for all students.”

Supt. Chris Evans said the selection of Heron and Witter Ranch to this year’s Honor Roll is a tribute to staff at both schools and celebrates what Natomas Unified is committed to achieving  district-wide – high academic performance, progress over time, and cutting the achievement gap.

Today’s recognition by the business coalition is consistent with NUSD’s Board-approved Vision that, “All NUSD students graduate as college and career ready, productive, responsible, and engaged global citizens.”

Heron was on the coalition’s Honor Roll last year, too, making it NUSD’s second two-time honoree. Two Rivers made the list of exemplary schools in 2014 and 2015.

The annual Honor Roll is made possible by support from numerous businesses and organizations, including State Farm, Macy’s, Wells Fargo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and several private foundations, according to the Sacramento-based business coalition.

The coalition describes itself as a “partner with leaders in the business community in a shared mission: to ensure all students are prepared for success in college and career. Together, we work to improve educational productivity at all levels, ‘K Through Job.’”