SCHOOLS GET HONORS FROM STATE MANY LOCAL INSTITUTIONS CALLED 'DISTINGUISHED'.

Byline: Jennifer Radcliffe Staff Writer

More than two dozen local elementary campuses were named Wednesday as California Distinguished Schools by the state Department of Education.

The state's 302 winners included a dozen from the Los Angeles Unified School District, six from Ventura County districts, five from Glendale Unified and four from Saugus Union.

Schools earn the distinction for superior academic performance and community involvement.

``Distinguished schools are models of excellence,'' State Superintendent Jack O'Connell said in a statement. ``These schools have high expectations for their students and are holding themselves accountable.''

The winners, chosen from 912 applications, will be honored May 21 at the Disneyland Hotel. They will now be considered for Blue Ribbon awards , awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.

``How are these schools distinguished from other schools? It's truly a commitment to rigorous academic instruction that is aligned to the state standards and a high level of communication with their parents and their community,'' said Alice Petrossian, assistant superintendent of education services for Glendale Unified.

``Our next dream is that all five of these schools will be national Blue Ribbon schools,'' Petrossian said. Two of Glendale's schools - Toll and R.D. White elementaries - have already achieved that honor.

In Ventura County, two Conejo Valley Unified schools, two Simi Valley unified schools, one Moorpark school and Mupu Elementary school were named.

Flory Elementary in Moorpark receives the honor as it prepares to make the transition into a science and technology magnet this fall.

``Our entire staff has a strong belief that every child can succeed regardless of background,'' Principal Pam Hill said. ``We try to instill that in our children. We talk to the children about doing their best and having pride in what they do.''

In Simi Valley, Madera Elementary and Hollow Hills Fundamental School were recognized.

``You receive that distinction not solely by high test scores but because the schools have created a quality learning community that nurtures children and helps them achieve,'' Simi schools Superintendent Kathryn Scroggin said.

Conejo Valley added Manzanita and Walnut elementaries to the coveted list.

L.A. Unified Superintendent Roy Romer said he was thrilled with his district's progress. In 2002, the last time elementary schools were eligible for the award, only one LAUSD school won.

``That's remarkable; it's real progress,'' Romer said. ``To have 12 distinguished schools in this district is a new era.''

In the San Fernando Valley, Plainview Avenue in Tujunga, Carpenter Avenue in Studio City, Fair Avenue in North Hollywood, Lanai Road in Encino and Lemay Street in Van Nuys received the honor.

Elsewhere in LAUSD, the winners were Aldama, Griffin Avenue, Crescent Heights Language Arts/Social Justice Magnet, Windsor Hills Magnet, Watts Learning Center, the Open Magnet Charter School and the South Shores Visual and Performing Arts Magnet in San Pedro.

Staff Writers Naush Boghossian and Angie Valencia contributed to this report.

Jennifer Radcliffe, [phone]

jennifer.radcliffe(at)dailynews.com