2005 Award Winners
Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards

Meet the inspiring finalists of this year’s Schools of Distinction Awards. The 60 finalists were chosen from 3,300 public and private schools that participated in the application process.

The 2005 finalists in each category are:

Academic Achievement — Shows significant academic gains in test scores, graduation rates; students consistently achieve high academic standards

  • El Magnet At Reagan Elementary, Odessa, Texas
  • KIPP Gaston College Preparatory, Gaston, N.C.
  • Lincoln Elementary School, Pittsburgh, Pa.
  • Newport High School, Bellevue, Wash.
  • Norwich Free Academy, Norwich, Conn.
  • Shipley's Choice Elementary, Millersville, Md.

Collaboration (External) — Demonstrates commitment to and recognition of the important role that external stakeholders (families, businesses and community) play in supporting learning.

  • Academy of Allied Health and Science, Neptune, N.J.
  • J. Stanford International School, Seattle, Wash.
  • Marine Academy of Science & Technology, Sandy Hook, N.J.
  • Mt. Logan Middle School, Logan, Utah
  • PS 161 Don Pedro Albizu Campos School, New York, N.Y.
  • Thomas Gardner Elementary School, Allston, Mass.

Leadership Excellence — Dynamic leaders engage the school and implement comprehensive plans to meet current and future challenges, resulting in higher student achievement levels.

  • Bethune Academy, Haines City, Fla.
  • Cordova Middle School, Phoenix, Ariz.
  • Lancaster High School, Lancaster, Va.
  • Northwest High School, Justin, Texas
  • Westminster Community Charter School, Buffalo, N.Y.
  • Xavier College Preparatory, Phoenix, Ariz.

Literacy Achievement — Reading and writing curriculum is rationally designed to ensure high achievement levels and significant gains.  

  • Auburn Early Education Center, Auburn, Ala.
  • East Hancock Elementary, Kiln, Miss.
  • Essex Middle School, Junction, Vt.
  • Forestbrook Elementary School, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
  • J. P. McConnell Middle School, Loganville, Ga.
  • Upson-Lee Middle School, Thomaston, Ga.

Mathematics Achievement — Math curriculum is rationally designed to ensure high levels of achievement and significant gains.

  • Ab Harrison Intermediate School, Wylie, Texas
  • Archbishop Hoban High School, Akron, Ohio
  • Cohoes Middle School, Cohoes, N. Y.
  • Fullerton IV Elementary School, Roseburg, Ore.
  • Rocky River High School, Rocky River, Ohio
  • Roye-Williams Elementary School, Havre de Grace, Md.

Professional Development — Culture encourages teachers, administrators and staff to work together as a community to improve student learning; continuously, thoughtfully plans professional growth and development.

  • Carmel High School, Carmel, Ind.
  • Centennial Arts Academy, Gainesville, Ga.
  • Cresthill Middle School, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
  • River Bluff Middle School, Stoughton, Wis.
  • St. Raphael the Archangel Elementary School, Louisville, Ky.
  • William Howard Taft Elementary, Boise, Idaho

Science Achievement — Science curriculum is rationally designed to ensure high levels of achievement and significant gains.

  • Centerville Elementary School, Anderson, S.C.
  • Galileo Magnet High, Danville, Va.
  • Hacienda Science/Environmental Magnet, San Jose, Calif.
  • Hamilton High School, Chandler, Ariz.
  • Phelps Elementary School, Phelps, Ky.
  • West Hawaii Explorations Academy, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Teamwork (Internal) — Engages internal stakeholders in a teamwork approach; principal works collaboratively in planning and decision making with the administration, faculty, parents and volunteers.

  • Cherry Hill High School West, Cherry Hill, N.J.
  • Lanai Road Elementary School, Los Angeles, Calif.
  • Middletown High School, Middletown, Md.
  • Poland Regional H S and Whittier Middle School, Poland, Maine
  • Tusculum View Elementary School, Greeneville, Tenn.
  • Washington Elementary School, Kingsport, Tenn.

Technology Excellence — Excels in effectively using technology and demonstrates its strategic use throughout the school in several areas including school programs, curriculum and management.

  • Advanced Technologies Academy, Las Vegas, Nev.
  • Essrig Elementary School, Tampa, Fla.
  • Lee Elementary School of Technology, Tampa, Fla.
  • Lois Lenski Elementary School, Centennial, Colo.
  • Marie Murphy School, Wilmette, Ill.
  • The Mott Hall School, PS/IS 223, New York, N.Y.

Technology Innovation — Shows unique, effective and innovative use of technology in a specific area of the school's program or curriculum.

  • chARTer~TECH High School for the Performing Arts, Somers Point, N.J.
  • High Technology High School, Lincroft, N.J.
  • Lincoln Academy, Lakeland, Fla.
  • Mabry Middle School, Marietta, Ga.
  • Pershing Elementary School, Muskogee, Okla.
  • The Open Magnet Charter School, Los Angeles, Calif.