The U.S. Department of Education has named two schools in West Virginia as 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools.
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Before a school can be recognized it has to be nominated by its state department of education.
“Everybody contributes to the overall accomplishment of this school and everyone is trying to help the kids have the best junior high experience that they can”, he said.
“Your journey has taught you collaboration, intentional instruction, and strong relationships in school and with your community”, Duncan said in a video sent to award schools. In 2013, New Prospect Elementary in District 1 earned the honor.
Schools with this accolade are among their state’s highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or national standardized tests.
The school will receive a $2,500 award and be honored during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.in November. Though the information was embargoed until an 11 a.m. public release, the Kemptown campus celebrated early, with students planting bulbs in the ground that would bloom every season and remind them of the honor, said Superintendent Terry Alban.
Onalaska High School is receiving national recognition.
The private schools were dominated by the Germantown, Maryland-based Council for American Private Education.
“The collective efforts from our students, parents, faculty and all our volunteering organizations are making Blackshear not only an academic center of excellence, but a fine arts center filled with enrichment as well”, said Blackshear Principal Betty Jenkins. “National Blue Ribbon Schools are models of excellence – in vision, in implementation and in results”.
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The department recognized 335 schools of all levels across the country for either high academics or for closing achievement gaps between groups of students. “Our entire staff – from preschool through high school – deserve credit”.
