6 OC, LA Schools Win California Exemplary Arts Education Awards

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Six schools in Orange and Los Angeles counties were among 13 selected statewide to receive California Exemplary Arts Education Awards, the state Department of Education announced Tuesday.

The award honors schools that have met certain performance and progress indicators based on state standards.

Selected schools ranged from a 3,700-student urban school to a 250-student rural campus.

"We know that access to arts and STEAM is an important part of closing the achievement gap, and these Exemplary Arts schools put the 'A' in 'STEAM,"' said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. "Congratulations to these 13 schools for supporting arts and STEAM education, which prepares students to be leaders in the creative economy."

STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

In Los Angeles County:

Four Burbank Unified School District elementary schools earned the award — Joaquin Miller, William McKinley, Providencia and George Washington.

The Compton Unified School District's McKinley Elementary School was also honored.

In Orange County, Arbolita Elementary of the La Habra City School District earned the award.

The 13 winning schools will be honored, along with California Distinguished Schools, National Blue Ribbon Schools, National Bell Awardees and National ESEA Distinguished Schools, on Feb. 10 at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.