High grades on the athletic fields are not uncommon for Camarillo High sports teams.

The school has a rich history of success in Ventura County and section championship stages.

The 2006-07 school year has been exceptional. Again.

Camarillo could finish with first- or second-place finishes in 16 sports in the Pacific View League. Its boys' basketball team was the league co-champion and advanced to the CIF Division II-AA semifinals. The Camarillo baseball and softball teams are ranked No. 2 in the section.

For whatever athletic success Camarillo has accomplished, it pales in comparison to what the school's athletes are achieving in the classroom.

Eighteen Camarillo sports teams were recognized by the section office for academic excellence.

To make the CIF-Southern Section academic honor roll, teams must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in college prep courses for the first semester of the 2006-07 school year.

The boys' basketball team missed becoming a CIF academic champion by 0.08 points to Arroyo Grande. Seven of the team's 10 players had GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

Members of the team were: Ryan Underlin, Mike Tobin, Mike Diacos, Jeff Veselak, Bryan Anger, Derek Ramos, Isaac Alonzo, Josh Creighton, Danny Rasp and Gordon Galloway.

There is no fluke to Camarillo's academic success: Sixteen teams made the CIF honor roll last year.

"We want very much to be a school where education comes first," said Camarillo athletic director Mike Smith. "There has been a push school wide for academics. Our principal (Glenn Lipman) has made it his highest priority. He wants to make what he calls 'structured college preparatory education.' "

Before freshmen enter Camarillo for the first time, school administrators are stressing the importance of laying the foundation of a good high school education for their future.

Through its Parent 1 Web site, Camarillo gives parents a chance to view their child's grades, test scores, homework assignments and attendance records.

"It's great for the parents to have an awareness of what is happening," said Smith.

Additionally, the school's coaches do periodic grade checks of their athletes to monitor academic eligibility. The football team has a tutoring program that uses players as tutors for teammates.

Making the grade: Camarillo wasn't the only school to receive high academic marks.

Sixteen Oaks Christian teams made CIF honor rolls.

La Reina, an all-girls school, had six programs recognized.

Villanova had three teams rank among the top three in the small schools division: football (3.341 GPA), No. 2; girls' tennis (3.610), No. 3; and boys' basketball (3.586), No. 3.

Area boys receiving individual academic recognition were: Byron Milligan, Camarillo, 3.96; Devin Banerjee, Calabasas, 4.00; George Halamadaris, Moorpark, 3.64; Kareem Maddox, Oak Park, 3.55; Stephen Vernardi, Oaks Christian, 3.57; Arman Emani, Oxnard, 4.00; Cameran Carrizales, Pacifica, 3.92; and Stephen Raab, Santa Clara, 3.53.

Among the girls recognized by the CIF were: Tamara Bocash, Camarillo, 3.60; Jessica Castro, Cornerstone Christian, 3.89; Laura Barker, Moorpark, 4.00; Kim Courtney, Oak Park, 3.69; Elisabeth Gill, Oaks Christian, 3.83; Tali La Porte, Oxnard, 3.64; Marissa Torres, Pacifica, 3.73; Ashley Lajoie, Santa Clara, 3.67; and Alexandra Browne, Ventura, 3.50.

Notes: Two Agoura football players have made commitments. Josh Irvin, who caught 36 passes for 395 yards and three TDs and played safety on defense, will attend Northern Arizona next fall. All-Marmonte League offensive guard Scott Beth has committed to the University of Arizona. ... League finals for track and swimming will be held this week. ... Playoff pairings for tennis and volleyball will be announced on Monday.

Derry Eads' e-mail address is deads@VenturaCountyStar.com.