Windemere Ranch named National Blue Ribbon School

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San Ramon’s Windemere Ranch Middle School was named a National Blue Ribbon School on Tuesday, joining more than 330 other schools from across the United States in receiving the honor from the U.S. Department of Education.

Opening in 2005, Windemere Ranch is located on East Branch Parkway in the Dougherty Valley area of San Ramon. It was the only San Ramon Valley Unified School District campus selected as a Blue Ribbon school this year.

“This is our 10th year, and from the start we have strived for academic excellence. We are proud of the level of achievement we have obtained and the continuous growth that we have sustained,” Windemere Ranch principal David Bolin said. “We have a committed, dedicated and passionate staff and community who all contribute to our success.”

Windemere Ranch was among the schools recognized in the overall academic excellence category. Other Blue Ribbon schools were singled out for their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

The award aims to affirm the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content, according to the Education Department.

“These great schools are fulfilling the promise of American education — that all students, no matter their name or zip code, can flourish when schools provide safe, creative, and challenging learning environments,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a statement.

The Blue Ribbon schools, 287 public and 50 private from elementary through high school, will be honored during a recognition ceremony Nov. 10-11 in Washington, D.C.