COUNTYWIDE : 2 County Schools Receive U.S. Honors

Educators from Anacapa Middle School in Ventura and the Thacher School in Ojai are in Washington this week to accept awards for academic excellence from the U.S. Department of Education.

The two Ventura County schools are among 222 public and private schools nationwide named Blue Ribbon Schools by the department last spring. Eighteen of the distinguished schools are in California.

Anacapa was honored for high academic standards, improved performance on the California Assessment Program test, efforts to keep students from dropping out and strong parent, community and staff support, officials said.

Anacapa Principal Charlotte McElroy, the school’s two assistant principals and three teachers went to Washington to accept the honor, school officials said. The district paid for half the expenses, and the six Anacapa educators split the remaining costs among them, a school administrator said.

The Thacher School, a private school, was selected for its academic program, the strength of the faculty and their ability to encourage students to succeed, a Thacher official said. Marcia Edwards, the school’s director of studies, and Marvin Shagam, a history and Latin teacher, are attending the ceremonies in Washington.

Both schools were evaluated last April by federal education representatives who toured the schools and interviewed faculty and students.

President Bush is scheduled to speak to the educators today, said department spokesman Jim Bradshaw.