11:23am | Intel honored the California Academy of Mathematics and Science (CAMS) in Washington, D.C. yesterday evening as part of a ceremony recognizing some of the nation’s most successful education programs.

CAMS was one of 18 schools recognized as finalists in the Intel Schools of Distinction Contest.  The finalists were selected from 156 applications submitted from 38 states.

Valley Christian Junior High in San Jose, Calif. took top honors by winning the Star Innovator award, which includes $125,000.  As a finalist, CAMS received $5,000. “By honoring the Intel Schools of Distinction winners, Intel hopes to inspire other schools to reinvigorate their own programs and prepare America’s youth for success in the global economy,” said Shelly Esque, vice president of Intel’s Corporate Affairs Group. For CAMS, the recognition was the second national honor in less than a week. CAMS earned the National Blue Ribbon award from the U.S. Department of Education last Thursday.

Attending yesterday’s Intel festivities and information sessions in D.C. were CAMS Principal Janice Filer, CAMS teacher Cindy Bater, LBUSD Board of Education President Felton Williams and Superintendent Christopher J. Steinhauser.

CAMS is a high school run by the Long Beach Unified School District on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills.  The school placed 22nd out of 21,000 public high schools nationwide in a recent U.S. News and World Report ranking of America’s top high schools, and it has received wide acclaim for the academic achievement of its minority students, including students from low-income families. Learn more about CAMS at lbschools.net/cams.