The official web site of the Lowell Alumni Association

National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence

On May 24th of this year, U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige named Lowell High School a 2001-2002 Blue Ribbon School, one of only 172 secondary schools awarded this honor. This marks the third time Lowell has been so honored, thereby joining the elite company of only 31 other schools that have been three-time winners. Lowell previously received this award in the 1982-83 and 1994-96 programs. Another four schools have been named Blue Ribbon Schools a record four times. The only other San Francisco high schools to have received this honor are Convent of the Sacred Heart High School (twice) and Saint Ignatius College Preparatory School (once).

The Blue Ribbon designation honors excellence in leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement, and parental involvement at public and private schools. "In education, like every other enterprise, we must aspire to highlight and reward our successes," Secretary Paige said. "These schools strive everyday to be their very best, and exemplify what American education can look like when we work as a team to create the best teaching and learning environments for our students."

As part of the Blue Ribbon evaluation process, Lowell Alumni Association President Lisa Clay participated in a group interview session with members of the Lowell PTSA and other Lowell parents. The evaluator, a high school principal from San Antonio, was impressed by much of what he saw during his visit to campus and expressed his particular admiration of the school's strong alumni support. A Lowell delegation, headed by Principal Paul Cheng, traveled to Washington, D.C. earlier this year to attend the official award ceremony. Decorative banners identifying Lowell as a national Blue Ribbon School are proudly displayed in the corridor outside the main office. Congratulations to Lowell's students, faculty, administration, staff, parents and the entire Lowell community for this significant achievement!