48 Schools Named Finalists for Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards; Elementary, Secondary Schools Honored for Innovative Programs That Support Student Achievement

The schools will compete for $190,000 in grants from the IntelFoundation and additional prizes from sponsoring companies will bepresented at an awards ceremony in October. The 3-year-old awardsprogram is sponsored by Intel, the world's leader in siliconinnovation and long-time champion of educational improvement, andScholastic, the global children's publishing, education and mediacompany.

"Through dedication and hard work, these schools have implementedgreat ideas for instituting student centered learning, incorporatinghands-on experiences and working with their communities," said BrendaMusilli, Intel director of education. "By highlighting successfulschools, we hope to inspire others and bring about improved learningfor all children."

Francie Alexander, Scholastic's chief academic officer, added,"These awards give us the opportunity to honor schools that haveimplemented and sustained programs that foster student achievement andencourage the highest level of success. By bringing nationalrecognition to these schools, we hope to share best practices and helpother schools across the country to replicate this success."

The 48 finalists were chosen from public and private schools thatparticipated in the application and judging process, which wasoverseen by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory Center forClassroom Teaching and Learning. Sixteen winners will be selected ineach of eight categories -- one each for elementary and secondaryschools. Winning schools will also compete to be named "Best of theBest." The finalists in each category are:

Academic Achievement -- The school has shown significantimprovements in test scores, graduation rates and college entrancerates.
Benjamin Banneker Academic High School Washington, D.C.
Frankford Elementary School Frankford, Del.
Maple Elementary School Seattle
Morristown-Hamblen High School East Morristown, Tenn.
Parkside Elementary School San Mateo, Calif.
Roxbury Preparatory Charter School Mission Hill, Mass.

Literary Achievement -- The language arts curriculum is designedto ensure high levels of achievement for all students and isconsistently implemented, regularly evaluated and modified for moreeffective instruction.
Delano Elementary School Memphis, Tenn.
Holly Academy Holly, Mich.
John Griffin Middle School Fayetteville, N.C.
Liberty Middle School Cumming, Ga.
Lincoln Elementary School Spencer, Iowa
North Brunswick High School Leland, N.C.

Mathematics Achievement -- The mathematics curriculum includes avariety of instructional strategies that incorporate critical thinkingskills, hands-on experiences and project-based learning to ensure highlevels of achievement for all students.
Lake Taylor Middle School Norfolk, Va.
Manila Elementary School Pleasant Grove, Utah
Ogden Elementary School Ogden, Kan.
Parkland-Brookside Elementary School Rochester, N.Y.
Stephen Decatur Middle School Berlin, Md.
Stephen Decatur High School Berlin, Md.

Science Achievement -- The science curriculum is designed toensure high levels of achievement for all students and should includeinstructional strategies incorporating critical thinking skills,hands-on, investigative experiences and project-based learning.
Branson Elementary School Burleson, Texas
Davidson I.B. Middle School Davidson, N.C.
Linkhorn Park Elementary School Virginia Beach, Va.
Miami Springs Middle School Miami Springs, Fla.
St. Joseph's Academy Frontenac, Mo.
W.E.B. DuBois Academy Cincinnati

Technology Excellence -- The school demonstrates an extensive useof technology through the seamless implementation of programs,curricula and management, and has excelled in the integration of avariety of educational technology to enhance teaching and learning.
Berrendos Middle School Red Bluff, Calif.
Cromwell Valley Regional Magnet School
of Technology Towson, Md.
Forest Lake Elementary School Columbia, S.C.
Kellogg Middle School Shoreline, Wash.
MacArthur Elementary School Las Cruces, N.M.
Mattson Middle School Kent, Wash.

Leadership Excellence -- Dynamic leadership based on vision, data,research, best practices and continuous monitoring and assessmentengages the school community in continuous school improvement focusedon student achievement.
A.B. Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School Raleigh, N.C.
Azalea Gardens Middle School Norfolk, Va.
Detroit Edison Public School Academy Detroit
Greece Odyssey Academy Greece, N.Y.
Key Peninsula Middle School Lakebay, Wash.
Ruskin Elementary School Waycross, Ga.

Professional Development -- Professional development isinnovative, ongoing and relevant, and has a significant impact on theprofessional growth and development of staff and on studentachievement.
Alton C. Crews Middle School Lawrenceville, Ga.
Assumption High School Louisville, Ky.
Dundee Elementary School Omaha, Neb.
Essex Elementary School Essex, Vt.
Passages Charter School Chicago
Patrick Henry High School Minneapolis

Collaboration & Teamwork -- The school culture encourages andactively engages teachers, administrators, other school staff,community members and business leaders to work collaboratively for thebenefit of the students.
Chisholm Middle School Newton, Kan.
Don Pedro Albizu Campos/P.S. 161 New York
Governor Thomas Johnson Middle School Frederick, Md.
Lakeridge Jr. High School Orem, Utah
Ocean Acres Elementary School Manahawkin, N.J.
Whitman Elementary School Turnersville, N.J.

The winners will be honored at an awards ceremony to be held Oct.5 in Washington, D.C., and will each receive a $10,000 grant. Oneelementary and one secondary school will be honored with a "Best ofthe Best" award and will receive an additional $15,000 for a totalaward of $25,000 each. Schools winning this award must have acomprehensive program addressing technology, involvement of parentsand the community, professional development, teamwork and consistentlyachieve high academic standards. For more information about theSchools of Distinction Awards, visit www.schoolsofdistinction.com.

Through the Intel(R) Education initiative, Intel invests more than$100 million annually in its efforts to accelerate 21st centurylearning. Intel's vision is to help equip young people with the skillsrequired to succeed in today's workforce that will in turn fuel globaleconomic growth and innovation. For more information, visitwww.intel.com/education.

Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, developstechnologies, products and initiatives to continually advance howpeople work and live. Additional information about Intel is availableat www.intel.com/pressroom.

Scholastic Corporation is the world's largest publisher anddistributor of children's books and a leader in educationaltechnology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertainingmaterials and products for use in school and at home, includingchildren's books, magazines, technology-based products, teachermaterials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The companydistributes its products and services through a variety of channels,including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based bookfairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retailstores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the company'sInternet site, www.scholastic.com.

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