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SUNSET ELEMENTARY WINS $25K NATIONAL PRIZE FROM MIAMI – Sunset Elementary School was named a national winner of the Goldman Sachs Foundation Prize for Excellence in International Education for engaging its students in learning about other world regions, cultures and languages. Sunset Elementary won the elementary/middle school category and was awarded $25,000 at a luncheon ceremony last Monday in New York City. Five years ago, the Asia Society and The Goldman Sachs Foundation teamed up to create a prize program to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in a field that promotes cultural awareness, world history and a global curriculum as essentials in the development of the next generation of young Americans. Sunset has offered a unique International Studies magnet program for over 20 years to its diverse student population. The program offers an inquiry-based, global curriculum focused on the topics of civic responsibility, cultural and environmental awareness, and knowledge of the global economy. Coursework includes foreign language programs in Spanish, French and German and instruction in math, science and social studies in these languages. The International Studies program is delivered in affiliation with the curricula of the Ministries of Education of Spain, France, and Germany. Students are assessed through both state and international tests of academic achievement and language proficiency. In 2007, Sunset also began offering courses in Mandarin Chinese. “We are honored to be the recipients of this prestigious national award,” said Dr. Aline Sarria, Principal of Sunset Elementary. “Global education was a natural progression for our already-existing International Studies Program. Our students are not only biliterate and bicultural, but are now also prepared to compete in and contribute to a global society.” In addition to the elementary/middle school group, Goldman Sachs awards prizes to five high school students from around the country and three other categories: high school, media/technology program and a state’s board of education. Founded in 1956, the Asia Society is a leading global organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the U.S. The Goldman Sachs Foundation was founded in 1999 by the Goldman Sachs investment firm to promote excellence and innovation in education worldwide. For more information, contact Tere Pujol Burns, Lead Teacher of Sunset’s International Studies magnet, at 305-661-8527. ### 08/JJS/275/HD |
