Westport Elementary wins Blue Ribbon

Westport Elementary was named a 2011 Blue Ribbon School on Thursday, the first time since 2003 a Stanislaus County school earned the national honor.

Family involvement and high expectations are widely credited for the Ceres Unified school's consistently high standing despite daunting demographics.

At the country school on South Carpenter Road, seven out of 10 students are still learning English, nine out of 10 qualify for free lunches and everybody is bused — some from tough city neighborhoods.

Still, Westport's test scores are among the highest in the county, earning it a state ranking of 8 among all schools and a top-tier 10 among similar schools.

"We're not supposed to — data-wise — be doing so well," said former Principal Marla Mack, wholed the school through the five-year qualifying process for the U.S. Department of Education seal. She calls that data-based prediction the "expectation gap."

Mack said it's the school's high expectations and exacting standards that keep its more than 400 students achieving and earn parent trust and support.

There are fewer discipline problems because parents back up the staff, said fifth-grade teacher Brenda Brown.

"The big difference here is the parents are so supportive. We're working as a team, home and school. It makes a wonderful environment," Brown said.

The parent connection starts as children enter preschool at the campus. The school offers parent classes on things like helping with homework and communicating with teachers.

Parent tours of the school are a regular occurrence. "It's another connection. They see what's being taught. They see what's different than when we were in school," Mack said.

There's even a Wednesday Helpers group for parents to pitch in wherever needed around the school, said current Principal Tami Garcia.

"They don't need to know the language. But they can still feel a part of the school," Garcia said.

Surveying the school's huge yard, where kids run, jump, skip rope and play hopscotch, she said the rural site works for them. Farmers surrounding the school keep an eye out. Neighboring businesses partner with them. Westport firefighters give parents safety classes.

"There's something about this school and this staff. If you have the opportunity to work here, you get very tied in to this community," Garcia said. "I feel lucky to be here."

The school will be honored at a national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., in the fall, where it will get a plaque and Blue Ribbon flag, according to the California Department of Education.

On the Net:Blue Ribbon Schools: www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html.

Bee education reporter Nan Austin can be reached at naustin@modbee.com or (209) 578-2339.