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June 2007
Becoming America's Best
Balboa Named Nation’s Top Math Elementary
Support our troops postcard Balboa Elementary has been named top elementary school math program in Intel Corporation’s annual Schools of Distinction Award. The school was honored for its rigorous, challenging and engaging math program and its track record in improvement over the last several years.

“We’re pleased that Intel has chosen to recognize nationally the excellent work of the students, parents, teachers, staff and principal at Balboa,” said Supterintendent Carl Cohn. “The remarkable track record of Principal Sylvia Gonzalez and her staff over the last several years shows how persistence can pay off in math for our students.”

During the last five years, the school’s math test scores increased substantially; for example, in 2006, students scoring "proficient" or "advanced" in the math portion of the California Standards Test was 175, rising from a 51 in 2002.

At a ceremony honoring the award on May 30, Cohn lauded the efforts of the teachers and staff.

"This type of hard work makes all of us who head the school system look good, but most importantly it creates a bright future for these youngsters that we are privileged to serve," he said. "I salute you and thank you for this amazing accomplishment."

The school received $10,000 in cash and an award package valued at more than $160,000 in curriculum materials, professional development resources, hardware, and software.