Napa High School has so impressed the state’s top education brass that they’ve declared it a California Distinguished School in recognition of its good scores, stellar performing arts programs, and success at helping needy kids.
Rogelio Ramirez was one of those kids. He sold bottled water on the streets of Mexico until 2002, when he immigrated with his family to the United States. He spoke no English, but with help from teachers at Napa High, Ramirez was soon taking one advanced-placement class after another, participating in clubs and sports, and maintaining an A+ average until he graduated in June. Brown University, the highly selective Rhode Island college, snapped him up.
“Academically, I would give Napa an A,” said Ramirez, 18. “It’s a pretty good school.”
But the federal No Child Left Behind Act – the dominant force in public education today – has a different grade for Napa High: F, for failing.