PRHS was approved for Gold Ribbon Status on Apr. 5 by judges and administrators from across the United States. Throughout the day, teachers, students and parents were interviewed on their experiences from PRHS as the campus was observed. The judges were given a list of students successes and achievements, college/career readiness, culture and climate of the campus and an exemplar program.

PRHS presented achievements of 94 percent graduation rate, 71 percent of PRHS courses are (A-G), 16 Advanced Placement Courses, 100 percent of AVID Senior accepted UC/CSU 2016, etc for the achievement category. Programs such as Skills USA with Randy Canaday, Crimson Newsmagazine under Jeff Mount with 7th place website and 8th in tabloid Best of Show nationally, and Link Crew.

The climate and culture fills the school with the positive behavior interventions and supports: P.R.I.D.E. The banners hanging around the school, our daily announcements and students practice of pride is shown to the judges, Ashley Hayes told teachers and administration after evaluations, “[there is] a lot of pride on this campus.”

The exemplar program is the Integrated Science Collaborative, STEM, relevant and rigorous curriculum, field studies, student interest and success, and teamwork for students. The judges were given statistics: CST’s basic and above : 83 percent, 2014, AP Biology passing rate: 69 percent, AP Physics C: 100 percent, AP Environmental Science: 100 percent, AP Chemistry: 50 percent, 36 percent of 2016 seniors took 4 or 5 science courses, 95 percent of our top 10 percent took 4 years of  science, 57 percent of our top 10 percent declared areas of study in science and engineering. During the ‘highlights of the day’ overview, Matt David complimented the science department, “success breeds success.”

Integrated Science Field Studies

• Rigorous, transformation field research for students
• Learn by doing experience
• Quality extracurricular options for students
• Collaborative, real world opportunities.

Program Elements:

• Field instruction, application and assessment of skills
• Collaborative partnerships with National Park Service, UC System, The Nature Conservancy, and NOAA

In the next three weeks, administration will receive the confirmation that PRHS is a Gold Ribbon Status school, one of the only schools in SLO county. Less than 5 percent of high schools in California have this distinction.