SAN DIEGO – (Monday, January 7, 2008) —San Diego State University’s National Center for Urban School Transformation announced today the finalists for the 2008 National Excellence in Urban Education Award.  The twenty finalists were selected from among a field of applicants that includes National Blue Ribbon School Award recipients, National Title I Distinguished Schools, and many that have been recognized among the best schools in their states.

These 20 schools will receive on-site visits that will lead to the selection of ten winners that will be recognized at the 2008 NCUST symposium May 7-9 in San Diego.  Each winning school must demonstrate an environment filled with rigorous curriculum and engaging instruction, as well as positive relationships between students, faculty, and parents. Winners will receive an award check for $1,000 and a large banner for their school, as well as a commemorative photo album, a profile on the NCUST website, and complimentary travel and registration for two people to the symposium. Representatives from each winning school—along with several finalists—will present their strategies for success at the 2008 symposium. For further information on the National Excellence in Urban Education Award or the NCUST Symposium, please visit http://www.ncust.org/ or call (619) 594-7905.

Thirty-three schools are being recognized with placement on NCUST’s Honor Roll, signifying that they have met all 11 of the National Excellence in Urban Education eligibility criteria. The following Honor Roll schools will have a profile listed on the NCUST website and will receive a certificate acknowledging their accomplishment:

• Branch Brook School,  Newark, NJ
• Chester Park School, Richmond Hill, NY
• Dobson Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA
• F.S. Edmonds School, Philadelphia, PA
• Fairlawn Elementary Comm. School, Miami, FL
• Farnsworth Aerospace Elementary Magnet School, St. Paul, MN
• Fitler Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA
• Franklin Military Academy, Richmond, VA
• Gen. Philip Kearny School, Philadelphia, PA
• Glen Iris Elementary, Birmingham, AL
• Grant Elementary School, San Jose, CA
• Hemphill Elementary School, Birmingham, AL
• Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy, East Orange, NJ
• Jackie Robinson Academy, Long Beach, CA
• John Moffet School, Philadelphia, PA
• Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Academy,  East Orange, NJ
• Kennedy C. Crossan School, Philadelphia, PA
• Lakeview Elementary, Miami, FL
• LaRose Elementary, Memphis, TN
• Mary Ann Binford Elementary K-5, Albuquerque, NM
• North Twin Lakes Elementary Community School, Hialeah, FL
• O. W. Erlewine School, Sacramento, CA
• Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary, San Francisco, CA
• Scotsdale Elementary School, El Paso, TX
• South Pointe Elementary School, Miami Beach, FL
• Spring Garden  School, Philadelphia, PA
• Starr King Elementary School, Long Beach, CA
• Stephens Elementary School, Houston, TX
• T. R. Wright Elementary School,  Birmingham, AL
• Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Sacramento, CA
• Twin Lakes Elementary, Hialeah, FL
• Washington Avenue Elementary School, Pleasantville, NJ
• William Land Elementary School, Sacramento, CA 

Joseph F. Johnson, Jr., executive director of NCUST, said the Excellence in Urban Education Award finalists and Honor Roll schools are among the nation’s most valuable resources.  “They prove that our nation’s urban schools can be wonderful centers of learning that change children’s lives.  As a nation, we should be seeking out opportunities to applaud and support these schools while we provide systematic, substantive assistance to other schools seeking to attain similar results.” 

NCUST is a component of the QUALCOMM Institute for Innovation and Educational Success at San Diego State University.  The organization was founded for the support of urban schools nationwide, aiding the transformation of urban schools into highly successful institutions which promote enthusiastic learning, student success and the preparation for a positive future.

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