SCHOOLS CELEBRATE TOP RANKING; SEVERAL SITES RECOGNIZED FOR HONOR BY STATE.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Daily News Staff Writer

After undergoing a rigorous application process and a nerve-racking site visit, a group of secondary schools in east Ventura County eventually got the good news - the state agreed they are some of the best campuses in California.

And after the dust had settled, the celebrations died down and the schools turned back to preparing for the end of the year, many administrators and parents said that the process, though difficult, has given them a new perspective on their schools.

Through it, the winning schools were able to not only highlight areas where they are succeeding, but also figure out places where they need to improve.

``It allows us to take a real honest, hard look at who we are and what we're doing for our students,'' said Tim Carpenter, principal at Redwood Middle School in Thousand Oaks. ``It lets us celebrate our students, and it lets us focus on what we need to be doing to grow. Our faculty is not ready to rest on our laurels, we have to find ways to do even better for our kids.''

On Friday, a month after the 158 winning schools were announced, the communities were able to celebrate once again as administrators and students gathered in Santa Clara to receive the banners and plaques recognizing them for the award.

Some of the Ventura County area's middle school and high schools named California Distinguished Schools this year were Newbury Park High and Redwood Middle schools in the Conejo Valley Unified School District; Medea Creek Middle School in the Oak Park Unified School District; Royal High and Santa Susana High schools, and Valley View Middle School in the Simi Valley Unified School District; and Agoura High and Calabasas High schools, and Lindero Canyon Middle school in Los Angeles County's Las Virgenes Unified School District.

The state's recognition program was established in 1985 and is run in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education's national Blue Ribbon program.

Elementary schools and secondary schools are recognized for both honors in alternating years. Those recognized by the state one year are then eligible for the national Blue Ribbon award the next.

Once the school community decides to undertake the task of applying for the recognition, it is an investment of time and energy that few are prepared for at the outset.

School officials said it took several months to gather the information needed to accurately and honestly answer the 12 questions put forth in the application.

The schools are asked to describe their methods of evaluating students' work and their assessment of whether students are meeting standards. They must take stock of the school curriculum and teacher professionalism.

Weighted just as heavily as academics is the campus culture. Schools must demonstrate that students are made to feel connected, and that support systems are in place to help them succeed.

And finally, the state asks schools to describe family and community involvement with the campus.

Although they are evaluated based on all the criteria, there is usually one point or one program that puts winners over the top.

At Santa Susana High School in Simi Valley, it was the 3-year-old school's performing arts magnet program.

And at Newbury Park High School, it was the International Baccalaureate Program, a unique curriculum that awards students with diplomas that are recognized throughout the world.

Carpenter said he believes Redwood's outstanding science department and focus on technology helped win the award.

Bob La Belle, principal at Royal High School in Simi Valley, said he believes it was a familial atmosphere that brought his school the recognition.

He said Royal thrives because its teachers take time to listen and counsel students, and because its parents are involved in the campus.

The Royal Parent-Teacher-Student Association - a group that few high schools even have - was considered the best in the state this year, he said.

``The best thing is the way the staff and students work together and we have a family atmosphere for the betterment of the students,'' La Belle said. ``We treat them individually and our staff has a caring attitude toward the kids. They communicate with them, talk to them and make them feel that they're a part of what's happening here.''

Parents and school officials said that while the application process is rigorous, it's all worth it when the news comes down that the school was among those chosen.

The benefits of the award include the extra boost it gives students when applying to college and an increased prestige that allows the campus to hire the best teachers.

The schools themselves are not the only ones benefiting from the distinction - local real estate agents use it as a selling point for homes in the school district boundaries.

Carol Kennedy of the state Department of Education said that since this is the only recognition program in California, the award has evolved into something more than just a title.

``It's brings a validation and bragging rights within the community and within the school district,'' she said. ``And we have heard that it makes them much more successful in getting grants written. They know that that all comes with the territory.''

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PHOTO (Color) Royal High students Liliana Avila, left, and Clara Haag chat with their computer instructor, Carol Wyenn, right.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Daily News