New York, NY (October 9, 2006) -- The 2006 Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards named Don Pedro Albizu Campos Elementary School/P.S. 161 in New York and Chisholm Middle School in Newton, Kan. as the “Best of the Best” winners. The annual awards, sponsored by Intel Corporation, the world’s leader in silicon innovation and long-time champion of educational improvement, and Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, honor schools for implementing innovative and replicable programs that support positive educational outcomes, and distribute $2.5 million in grants and prizes to winning schools.
 
Don Pedro Albizu Campos Elementary School/P.S. 161 and Chisholm Middle School earned honors in the “Collaboration & Teamwork” category for their innovative “school as a community” models in which parents are deeply involved and local and national partnerships are formed to further student achievement.

“Strong and continuous improvement is essential to the American educational system,” said Intel Chairman Craig Barrett. “While many talk about improving the education of our children, the people behind these winning schools -- communities, administrators, teachers, parents and students -- demonstrate that thoughtful action can achieve exceptional results.”
 
“These outstanding schools demonstrate the vital role that families and communities play in expanding the educational resources and experiences that we can offer school children,” said Francie Alexander, chief academic officer, Scholastic. “Working directly with teachers and schools to promote a love of learning is at the core of Scholastic’s mission, and this year’s ‘Best of the Best’ winners serve as excellent examples of how families, businesses and communities can work with schools to enhance academic opportunities for all students.”
 
Along with Don Pedro and Chisholm, 14 other schools were honored at a gala tonight in Washington, D.C. As Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Award winners in academic achievement, science, mathematics, technology, literacy and leadership, these winning schools each received $10,000 from the Intel Foundation and a host of prizes ranging from curriculum materials and professional development resources to software and hardware from Scholastic and other sponsors. The two “Best of the Best” schools each received an additional $15,000 grant from the Intel Foundation.

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