The Willow Glen Resident

Lincoln High honored with a national award

By Aji Mathai

After a rigorous review process of applications and interviews, Lincoln High School was selected as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The award was presented to Lincoln officials at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 22.

"Lincoln High School is a flagship for our district arts program and one of the most stimulating environments in the city of San Jose," said San Jose Unified School District Superintendent Linda Murray. "I am proud of our Lincoln students and fantastic faculty and grateful to principal Oreen Gernreich, whose commitment to excellence has brought all of these elements together."

Lincoln, a 1992 and 1996 recipient of the California Distinguished Schools Award, is the district's academic, visual and performing arts magnet school.

"It runs the full gamut: big strings program, jazz band, marching band, choirs from all different levels. One choir performed at Carnegie Hall last year," said resource teacher Paul Kanter, who coordinates mentoring and tutoring programs at Lincoln. "We have a big dance program and an advanced-placement art program."

Kanter called the award "a culmination of a lot of hard work," and added, "The school's really come into its own. It's a place where we have a waiting list to get in. Oreen's attracted a lot of good staff people to come over and work." A 31-year SJUSD veteran, Kanter said he thought Lincoln was only the second school in the history of the district to be nominated for the award.

Lincoln was also honored May 2 by Magnet Schools of America for its visual and performing arts program, said Norris Hill, SJUSD's manager of magnet programs.

About 30 schools from around the country were honored, including River Glen Elementary School for its bilingual education program, Hill said. Criteria for awards included a racially diverse population, an innovative program and evidence of high academic achievement and community involvement.

Rebecca Wallace contributed to this report.

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