Cool School: Vacaville's Cooper Elementary

VACAVILLE (CBS 5) - The principal at Cooper Elementary in Vacaville says motivation is the key to her student body's success.

"If they can find something that they're interested in, that they feel they can accomplish and learn about then that carries them forward," said Kelyne Campbell-Townsend, Cooper's principal.

One subject they focus on is geography. Cooper is the only school in Vacaville that participates in the National Geographic Bee sponsored by Google.

"It's the place you live in," said Alex Topp, a sixth grader. "You got to know what to do, where you are, and how to do it where you are."

Topp won the school's geography bee and is studying for the test to qualify for the state competition in Sacramento.

"He loves to learn whether it's spelling or geography," Campbell-Townsend said. "He likes a challenge. He's always looking for a challenge."

Topp is also a city spelling bee champ and credits his success to Cooper Elementary.

"They present it in a fun way to where you're not really disliking it," Topp said.

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