No word in our local media, but one of our local high schools — Ghidotti Early College High School — made statewide news this month.
“We got some amazing news last week — Ghidotti ranked #1 statewide on the new CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress),” Principal Noah Levinson wrote in a parent/student newsletter. “That’s out of 2,033 high schools.”
“The test reflects the skills necessary to be successful in college and/or a career. I firmly believe that our school’s achievement is due to Ghidotti’s commitment to teaching these skills. Bravo to the students, parents, Ghidotti staff, and Sierra College faculty!”
The CAASPP System replaced the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program, which became inoperative on July 1, 2013.
More than 3.2 million students took part in CAASPP, which includes a number of different assessments, according to the California Department of Education. The most widely tested are the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments in mathematics and English language arts/literacy, which are given in grades three through eight and grade 11.
California State Universities and many community colleges consider high marks on these tests among 11th-grade students a reliable sign of readiness for college-level work.
Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report 
It is also due to a very selective admission process.
No, the students must have a history of c or better grades and good school attendance. They must also have completed algebra 1 or equivalent. The family must commit to transporting their student to and from school since the college classes are scheduled outside the normal high school bus times. This, in my view, is not selective, just guaranteeing school participation.
From what I can tell, the application process is based on a meritocracy. And it’s not old enough for parent alums to send their kiddos, like at USC. LOL. All told, our District should be proud.
They do provide favorable admission to economically disadvantaged families and “first to college” families. That’s actually a huge part of their mission — helping families without anyone whose gone to college get their kids an AA — for free — by the time they finish HS. The stats published as part of this award bear that out — the number of kids qualifying for reduced fee lunch programs at Ghidotti is relatively high to the other schools on the list. Great job, Ghidotti!
You’re right Steve, it is.
Better late than never for The Union newspaper! http://www.theunion.com/news/23714430-113/ghidotti-ranks-first-in-state-testing