The "No Child Left Behind, Blue Ribbon Schools Program" honors public and private schools that have reached an academically superior standard in their states or have demonstrated dramatic gains in student achievement.

Marshall Lane achieved the distinction because of an academically superior standard. The award was announced in late September but it was only a couple of weeks ago that Scott Johnson, the school's principal, went to Washington, D.C., to pick up the award.

"This reinforces all the hard work we have done at the school. This is all about teamwork," Johnson said. "The award is an indication of our emphasis on working as a team--the students, the teachers and parents."

Multiple criteria are used to judge the performance of a school--from test scores to community partnerships.

"We're one of 35 public schools in California which were selected this year. That makes us very special," he said.

Ever since the school won the ribbon, there has been one function after the other at the campus to celebrate the achievement.

"Last Monday, we had a flag-raising ceremony at the school. At the presentation ceremony in Washington, D.C., we were given a blue ribbon flag," Johnson said.

Every student and teacher at the school gathered to watch the flag-raising. "We are the only public school in the county to be selected for the award ... of all the wonderful schools in the county we are the only one. It is overwhelming for me," Johnson said.

His office is decorated with plaques and awards connected with the blue ribbon ceremony. There is a commendation from Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn and another that has been received from the school district.

Johnson was accompanied by Judith Hutchison, a fourth- and fifth- grade teacher, for the Washington, D.C., trip. "We received the award from Margaret Spellings, secretary of education," Johnson said.

The award has special resonance for Johnson because he was a Marshall Lane student as a child. "I'm proud to be back at the school," he said.

Johnson said that the biggest strength of his school is a highly dedicated professional staff. "We work with high-achieving students and take them as far as they want to go," he said.

"The ceremony at D.C. gave us an opportunity to meet with colleagues from around the country," said Johnson. "I heard different stories and tales of obstacles that various schools face. I understood how geography affects the character of different schools."

Johnson said that he expects to work with his teachers to make Marshall Lane an even better school. "We're lucky to be in this area. People here take