4 schools win Blue Ribbon
Four Connecticut public schools received the 2020 National Blue Ribbon award from the U.S. Department of Education on Thursday. The award was given to 367 schools nationwide in recognition of their high academic performance overall or progress in closing achievement gaps among students.
TheGeorgeHerseyRobertson School in Coventry, which serves students in third grade through fifth grade, and the Norton School in Cheshire for students in grades K-6 won the award for exemplary high performance. The schools each hold a score of at least 87 out of 100 on a system that indexes school accountability.
The South Street School in Danbury andthe Northeast School in Vernon won the award for exemplary achievement gap closing. Both elementary schools serve a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students, and more than half of the K-5 students at South Street are English language learners.
“Connecticut’s public school teachers are the best in the United States, and the tools they are providing our youngest residents are enabling them to achieve success throughout their careers,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a written statement. “Every child — no matter their family’s income or the neighborhood where they live — deserves access to a quality education that prepares them for achievement. We no doubt continue to have work to do to close persistent achievement gaps that have lingered far too long, but I firmly believe that the strong work of so many of our educators is having an impact. I congratulate these schools on earning this national distinction and wish them continued success.”
State education Commissioner Miguel Cardona said, “Receiving this prestigious honor speaks to the true team effort it takes to make tangible progress on closing gaps in opportunities, access, and outcomes that exist for too many of our students.”
“Taking these successes to scale statewide will require us to come together in the same spirit of collaboration with all of us doing our part, especially in light of this pandemic,” he added. “I congratulate every member of these Blue Ribbon school communities because each one deserves to be recognized for this achievement.”
Each year, the state Department of Education uses data from its Next Generation Accountability System, which tracks school and student success with 12 indicators, to nominate schools for the award. The nominees then complete an application process and must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
“Today we’re celebrating Northeast School’s national recognition, an honor that validates the hard work of dedicated teachers and staff during the past three years,” Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph P. Macary said in a written statement. “We’re especially proud of how parents and the community have worked with us to support students’ learning. This type of continuous and diligent collaboration helps our students thrive.”