National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Program - Podcasts: Recent Episodes
National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Program
Founded in 1982 by U.S. Secretary of Education Terrel Bell, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors exemplary public and private American schools. Each year, elementary, middle, and high schools across the country are recognized for the exemplary academic performance of their students or for making significant improvements in their students’ levels of academic performance.
Teachers at Enders Road ElementaryIn this audio profile, Principal Deborah Capri and ELA Curriculum Specialist Jaclyn Gangloff describe how Enders Road Elementary School is strengthening instructional practices to better align with scientifically based reading research. In this profile, Principal Capri and Jaclyn Gangloff share the story behind how their high-achieving school is taking a fresh approach to their literacy program. Listen to learn more about the process they used to make data-informed decisions, create a thoughtful approach to make instructional shifts, create a culture that facilitated teacher ownership, and how the change is taking shape.
Scroll down to listen to the audio profile and learn more about Enders Road Elementary in Manlius, New York.
You can view the transcript here.
School InformationEnders Road Elementary SchoolDr. Deborah Capri
Principal at time of Nomination
12 Madonna Place
Manlius, NY 13104-9718
(315) 692-1500https://www.fmschools.org/Enders Road Elementary School
| Student Demographics 2023 | | --- | | Number of students K-4 | 536 | | Students eligible for subsidized meals | 11% | | Students receiving special ed services IEP/504 | 9%/4% | | ELL | 1% | | African American | .8% | | White | 79% | | Hispanic or Latino | 1.9% | | Asian | 12.9% | | American Indian or Alaska Native | 0% | | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0% | | 2 or More Races | 5.4% | | Student mobility rate | 4% |
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The post Audio: Embracing Change for Better Literacy Outcomes first appeared on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The post Audio: Embracing Change for Better Literacy Outcomes appeared first on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Laurel Magnet School of the Arts is shut down every Tuesday and Thursday for 105 minutes to provide each student with targeted instruction based on their individual needs as identified by data. This video describes the why and how of these differentiated instruction blocks, which the school most credits with their success.
Says one teacher: “[W]hat we do here at Laurel Magnet School is do our best to identify specific deficits for every student and we address those in our differentiated instructional blocks. Our system, our approach, and our procedures, and how we have implemented here schoolwide has been a gamechanger.”
A transcript of the video is available here.
Read the accompanying video Reflection Guide to help prompt further ideas for your school or district context.
LMSA Scholars Learning Through the ArtsSchool InformationLaurel Magnet School of the ArtsDr. Heather Jones
Current Principal
1125 North 5th Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440-2704
(601) 428-7782 https://www.laurelschools.org/laurel-magnet-school-of-the-arts/indexLaurel Magnet School of the Arts
| Student Demographics 2023 | | --- | | Number of students PreK – 6 | 328 | | Students eligible for subsidized meals | 55% | | Students receiving special ed services | 7% | | ELL | 1% | | African American | 85% | | White | 10% | | Hispanic or Latino | 4% | | Asian | 1% | | American Indian or Alaska Native | 0% | | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0% | | 2 or More Races | 0% | | Student mobility rate | 4% |
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The post Video: All Hands on Deck for Differentiated Instruction appeared first on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Playground at Washington Irving School #4In this audio profile, Principal Jeff Wilson describes how Washington Irving School #4 went from a school targeted for support to a National Blue Ribbon School.In this profile, Principal Willson shares how he worked with staff and the school community to create a culture of forward thinking and forward moving by celebrating success. Listen to learn how a playground became a monument of success, how teacher leadership grew, and how depth of knowledge about student learning changed the trajectory of the school. Scroll down to listen to the audio profile and learn more about Washington Irving School #4 in Garfield, New Jersey. You can view the transcript here.
School InformationWashington Irving School No 4Mr. Jeffrey Wilson
Principal at time of Nomination
12 Madonna Place
Garfield, NJ 07026-3628
(973) 340-5034 https://s4.gboe.org/Washington Irving School No 4
| Student Demographics 2023 | | --- | | Number of students K-5 | 317 | | Students eligible for subsidized meals | 43% | | Students receiving special ed services | 22% | | ELL | 9% | | African American | 4% | | White | 51% | | Hispanic or Latino | 41% | | Asian | 1% | | American Indian or Alaska Native | 0% | | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0% | | 2 or More Races | 3% | | Student mobility rate | 14% |
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The post Audio: Sustaining School Improvement by Celebrating Success first appeared on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The post Audio: Sustaining School Improvement by Celebrating Success appeared first on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
This video profile explains how Hanover High School students, educators and community members come together for an annual program focused on a different way of learning. As one student shares, “March Intensive is a week-long program where you have the chance to explore something you’re very passionate about in an intense format.” The program also fosters strong connections between teachers and students who can connect over a wide variety of shared interests. Whether it’s cooking, lifeguarding, dog training or stop-motion animation, March Intensive has something for everyone at Hanover to get excited about.
A transcript of the video is available here.
Read the accompanying video Reflection Guide to help prompt further ideas for your school or district context.
Hanover High School students and teachers on a community service trip during March Intensive. School InformationHanover High SchoolMrs. Julie Stevenson
Principal at time of Nomination
41 Lebanon Street, Suite 1
Hanover, NH 03755-2147
(603) 643-3431https://hhs.sau70.org/Hanover High School
| Student Demographics 2022 | | --- | | Number of students 9-12 | 691 | | Students eligible for subsidized meals | 4% | | Students receiving special ed services | 27% | | ELL | 0% | | African American | 3% | | White | 85% | | Hispanic or Latino | 1% | | Asian | 9% | | American Indian or Alaska Native | 0.6% | | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 1% | | 2 or More Races | 0.4% | | Student mobility rate | 2% |
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The post Video: A Week of Learning Differently: March Intensive appeared first on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
In this video profile, educators at C.W. Shipley explain how they adapted their instruction during a year of piloting a new reading curriculum.
Implementing new curricula is just one example of Shipley’s long-established commitment to helping students succeed. Kindergarten teacher Heather Williams (herself a Shipley graduate) shared that the school passes on a love of learning, and is persistent about meeting students’ needs. “[Teachers and students aren’t] going to give up if something gets hard,” she reflected. “We work on it together and we push through. All my teachers did that for me.”
Reflecting on the National Blue Ribbon Schools award, second grade teacher Allison Howard remarked that “it’s nice for the students to be recognized for the successes that they’ve had throughout the years. And it gives the teachers validation that we are doing a good job, and it’s nice that the parents are able to recognize that the staff is working hard. We’re proud of ourselves, we’re proud of our students. And we hope we can do it again.”
A transcript of the video is available here.
Read the accompanying video Reflection Guide to help prompt further ideas for your school or district context.
Principal Kursey (far left) and others celebrate Shipley’s award. School InformationC. W. Shipley Elementary SchoolDr. Dawn Tyler/Dr. Brooks Mastin Kursey
Principal at time of Nomination/Current Principal
652 Shipley School Road
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-3131
(304) 725-4395https://cwses.jcswv.org/o/cwsesC. W. Shipley Elementary School
| Student Demographics 2022 | | --- | | Number of students K-5 | 362 | | Students eligible for subsidized meals | 30% | | Students receiving special ed services | 13% | | ELL | 1% | | African American | 2% | | White | 83% | | Hispanic or Latino | 6% | | Asian | 1% | | American Indian or Alaska Native | 0% | | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0% | | 2 or More Races | 8% | | Student mobility rate | 8% |
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The post Video: Embracing New Ways to Teach Reading first appeared on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The post Video: Embracing New Ways to Teach Reading appeared first on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Principal Mahri Aste (second from left) with others at the National Blue Ribbon Schools CeremonyIn this audio profile, Principal Mahri Aste explains how students helped choose a new name for their school, inspired by the community’s multi-cultural profile. Principal Aste also shares examples that have helped Mosaic Elementary welcome parents of all backgrounds into the school’s Parent Teacher Association, and identifies three instructional practices that have been key for supporting student learning.Scroll down to listen to the audio profile and learn more about Mosaic Elementary School. You can view the transcript here.
School InformationMosaic Elementary SchoolDr Mahri Aste
Principal at time of Nomination
9819 Five Oaks Road
Fairfax, VA 22031-1047
(703) 937-1600https://mosaices.fcps.edu/Mosaic Elementary School
| Student Demographics 2022 | | --- | | Number of students PreK-6 | 890 | | Students eligible for subsidized meals | 23% | | Students receiving special ed services | 14% | | ELL | 18% | | African American | 8.3% | | White | 37.9% | | Hispanic or Latino | 15.9% | | Asian | 29.9% | | American Indian or Alaska Native | .3% | | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | .1% | | 2 or More Races | 7.6% | | Student mobility rate | 4% |
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The post Audio: Students, Parents and Educators: Forming a ‘Mosaic’ of Support first appeared on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The post Audio: Students, Parents and Educators: Forming a ‘Mosaic’ of Support appeared first on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
In this audio profile, Principal Ryan Ambrose explains how teachers at Checotah Intermediate Elementary School use assessments to help set individual student goals and adjust their instruction to meet all students’ needs. Principal Ambrose shares that getting to their current well-honed system took time and a willingness to keep adjusting the process – but the results have been worthwhile. “I believe the individualization of the goals have greatly improved our instruction”, he says. “I believe that whenever a teacher will get down to a student level, regardless of where that kid is and be able to meet them where they are and fill those foundational blocks that they may be missing, the growth is unbelievable.”
A sample goals sheet is shared here, showing how multiple teachers support and celebrate students as they reach their goals.
Scroll down to listen to the audio profile and learn more about Checotah Intermediate Elementary School. You can view the transcript here.
Read Checotah Intermediate Elementary School’s 2022 National Blue Ribbon School application.
School InformationChecotah Intermediate Elementary SchoolMr. Ryan Ambrose
Principal at time of Nomination
1401 SW Second Street
Checotah, OK 74426-5259
(918) 473-2384https://www.checotah.k12.ok.us/Checotah Intermediate Elementary School
| Student Demographics 2022 | | --- | | Number of students PreK-8 | 321 | | Students eligible for subsidized meals | 74% | | Students receiving special ed services | 21% | | ELL | 1% | | African American students | 2% | | White students | 55% | | Hispanic or Latino students | 2% | | American Indian or Alaska Native | 29% | | 2 or More Races | 12% | | Student mobility rate | 23% |
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The post Audio: Using Assessments for Student Goal Setting appeared first on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
In this video, hear how AcadeMir Charter School Middle provides opportunities for students to learn both in and outside of the school day. Students take four elective classes in addition to their four core classes. According to one teacher, electives are important because they are a fun way to incorporate instruction from core classes in a hands-on way.
A transcript of the video is available here.
Read the accompanying Video Reflection Guide to help prompt further ideas for your school or district context.
Learn more about AcadeMir Charter School Middle by reading their National Blue Ribbon Schools Program application.
AcadeMir Charter School Middle StudentsSchool InformationAcadeMir Charter School Middle SchoolMs. Karla Arellano Rodriguez
Principal at time of Nomination
5800 SW 135th Avenue
Miami, FL 33183-5105
(305) 967-8492http://www.academircharterschoolmiddle.com/AcadeMir Charter School Middle School
| Student Demographics 2021 | | --- | | Number of students 6-8 | 327 | | Students eligible for subsidized meals | 79% | | Students receiving special ed services | 4% | | ELL | 12% | | African American | 0.5% | | White | 1.5% | | Hispanic or Latino | 98% | | Asian | 0% | | American Indian or Alaska Native | 0% | | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0% | | 2 or More Races | 0% | | Student mobility rate | 14% |
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The post Video: Student Engagement and Opportunities to Learn appeared first on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
At Greathouse Shryock Traditional Elementary School, fifth grade students know they are ready for middle school – and they proudly demonstrate their readiness by presenting a ‘defense of learning’ to educators, in which they share learning artifacts and reflecting on their academic and personal growth as elementary students, now ready for the next stage of life.
A transcript of the video is available here.
Read the accompanying Video Reflection Guide to help prompt further ideas for your school or district context.
Learn more about Greathouse Shryock Traditional Elementary School by reading their National Blue Ribbon Schools Program application.
School InformationGreathouse Shryock Traditional SchoolMs. Karla Davis
Principal at time of Nomination
2700 Browns Lane
Louisville, KY 40220-1299
502) 485-8259https://sites.google.com/jefferson.kyschools.us/greathouseshryocktraditionalGreathouse Shryock Traditional School
| Student Demographics 2021 | | --- | | Number of students grades K-5 | 612 | | Students eligible for subsidized meals | 25% | | Students receiving special ed services | 4% | | ELL Students | 9% | | African American students | 18.3% | | American Indian or Alaska Native students | 0.5% | | Asian students | 28.4% | | Hispanic or Latino students | 4.6% | | Two or more races | 3.9% | | White students | 44.3% | | Student mobility rate | 4% |
The post Video: Backpack of Success Skills: Ready for Middle School first appeared on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The post Video: Backpack of Success Skills: Ready for Middle School appeared first on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
In this video, hear how AcadeMir Charter School Middle provides opportunities for students to learn both in and outside of the school day. Students take four elective classes in addition to their four core classes. According to one teacher, electives are important because they are a fun way to incorporate instruction from core classes in Read More
At Saint Andrew Catholic School, parents, teachers and community partners come together to offer students several ways to start thinking about their economic futures. The school hosts an on-campus bank, invites parents in to teach financial and career planning classes, and teachers run a stock market club to introduce students to investing. Principal Robert Sikora Read More
Think of your favorite teacher in elementary school – and now imagine how great it would have been to have that teacher for three years instead of just one. That’s what happens at Portland Elementary School in Portland, Arkansas, where upper elementary students loop with their core academic teachers for three years. And since those Read More
This audio profile shares how at John Hancock College Preparatory High School, educators engage students in rigorous academics and provide strong social-emotional support with the aim of helping them prepare for life after high school. This includes offering two Career and Technical Education options: pre-law, and pre-engineering. The programs give students a taste of what Read More
In this video profile, Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School educators, students, and partners explain how the school has implemented a robust news literacy program, designed to help students learn to thoughtfully examine the many sources of information around them. As one educator puts it, this program “is the way in which [students are] Read More
Oyster-Adams Bilingual School teaches students in grades PK-8 through a school-wide dual language model, providing classes in all subjects (as well as student activities, interventions, and parent engagement) through a mix of English and Spanish. Additionally, students have the opportunity to learn Mandarin beginning in 4th grade. A key element of the school’s success is Read More
At George Hersey Robertson Elementary School, educators and school leaders have worked hard to achieve a balance of consistent instructional practices and flexibility, allowing opportunities for teacher creativity and student choice. As one educator notes, “our writing kind of went from prescriptive one size fits all … and kind of teacher centered … and then Read More
Avon Middle School Avon Local Schools Avon, Ohio Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness. In this audio profile, Avon Middle School leaders describe their system for identifying and supporting students who may need targeted support due to experiencing housing misplacement or homelessness. Through a data-driven RTI process, educators identify students who need support and connect them with Read More
Lipscomb Elementary School Williamson County Public Schools Brentwood, Tennessee Engaging Students and Supporting Educators with a School-wide Math Plan. When Lipscomb Elementary School set out to improve their math practices, they looked for ways to engage students, support educators, and implement a long-term, school-wide math plan that would help all kids succeed. In this audio Read More
Educators at Day Creek Intermediate School realize that middle school is a unique moment in students’ academic, social and emotional lives. As Principal David Apodaca notes, “you have to respect the fact that this is a huge transition time in their lives … And if we don’t recognize that and respect that, then academic success Read More
Ladera Del Norte Elementary School Farmington, New Mexico Overcoming Challenges to Close the Achievement Gap. Like many schools, educators at Ladera Del Norte Elementary school were committed to supporting the success of all students, but they needed to strategically overcome a number of challenges in their mission to close achievement gaps. In this audio profile, Read More
Lakewood Elementary School Overland Park, KS Activating Student Engagement Through Brain-based Learning. Educators at Lakewood Elementary School take pride in creating schoolwide, interdisciplinary curriculum that students find exciting and memorable. They ground their strategies in a brain-based approach, meaning that lessons are designed to activate students’ brains, and that educators help children understand how learning Read More
Barret Traditional Middle School Louisville, KY Advancing Racial Equity Through Culturally Responsive Teaching. Like many schools across the nation, school leaders at Barret Traditional Middle School realized that they faced academic achievement gaps among students by race. With support from their district, and through the work of committed educators willing to address this difficult topic, Read More
Maxwell Air Force Base Elementary/Middle School Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama Supporting Highly Mobile Students at a Department of Defense School. Meeting the academic, social and emotional needs of highly mobile students is a challenge faced by many schools and districts. Teachers and school leaders at Maxwell Air Force Base Elementary/Middle School in Alabama are Read More
During the 2019 recognition ceremony, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Frank Brogan, congratulated the 362 NBRS award winners. The winners represented schools from 46 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Schools in Alabama, Netherlands, and Italy. Mr. Brogan talked about school issues not happening in a vacuum. National Read More
FEATURED STUDENT SPEAKER: Nate Tinbite Nathaniel Tinbite, a senior at John F. Kennedy High School (JFK), is the 42nd student member of the Montgomery County School Board of Education. Mr. Tinbite is a member of the Board’s Strategic Planning Committee and the Policy Management Committee. Nate shared his experiences as the President of the Read More
The 2019 Terrel H. Bell awardees for outstanding leadership have been named. The ten National Blue Ribbon School principals were recognized on November 14th during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony in National Harbor, MD. Read about each awardee below: 2019 Terrel H. Bell Awardees Read More
In New Orleans, Louisiana, Lusher Charter School serves students in grades K-12 by integrating the arts across all grade levels and disciplines. As the school’s CEO puts it, “Lusher is a school where a student can come and thrive regardless of the level of their talents. We’ll use the arts when we’re happy, when we’re Read More
Teachers at Paramount School of Excellence (now called Paramount Brookside) in Indianapolis, Indiana enrich their lessons using a variety of on-site school features, including a planetarium, farm, and beehives. These unique features help students learn from the world around them. However, the key focus for educators at this K-8 charter school is on providing high-quality Read More
High school goes to college at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School, which shares a campus and a vision for success with its partner institution, Lorenzo Walker Technical College. Students travel from all over the county to attend Lorenzo Walker, where they take academically rigorous classes while also receiving professional training in 25 career programs. After Read More
Turning around a low-performing school is no easy task – and sustaining that turnaround over the years to come can be just as challenging. In this video, teachers and school leaders from Evergreen Elementary School in Spanaway, Washington explain how the implementation of a “No Excuses” model helped them improve and sustain their success over Read More
Village Oaks Elementary School Novi, Michigan Building School Culture by Leading with HEART. One of the most challenging tasks for any new principal is creating school culture, particularly when a strong culture already exists. This podcast walks you through the process Principal Alexander Ofili used at Village Oaks Elementary School in Novi, MI, to do Read More
Mount Lebanon Elementary School Pendleton, SC Learning Through Real World Application highlights how one school expanded on a STEM theme to create a teaching and learning culture matched to the way young students learn. When each of the four K-6th grade elementary schools in Anderson County School District 4 were tasked with creating a unique Read More
In order to spread knowledge of innovative and successful school practices, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program profiles a number of schools from each year’s cohort. Stories are added as they are produced. Building Culture and Enriching Learning through Art. In New Orleans, Louisiana, Lusher Charter School serves students in grades K-12 by integrating the Read More
Alaska liaison Eric Caldwell describes how the state’s nomination process ensures representation across a unique low population, large, rural state. Eric Caldwell Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.
Virginia liaison Chris Kelly describes how he supports Virginia’s National Blue Ribbon award winners through a state-level plan and a social media framework to promote and share their success. Chris Kelly Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria Read More
Sierra Expeditionary Learning School Truckee, CA In 2008, in a small town in northern California, a dozen or so parents of preschoolers started dreaming about a different kind of elementary school and chartered SELS—the Sierra Expeditionary Learning School, in Truckee, California in March 2010. This podcast features Kim Bradley, a founding parent and current board Read More
Hearts and Minds features Pinewood Elementary School in Jenison, MI, a suburb of Grand Rapids, where teachers and staff found themselves dealing with extreme student behaviors that disrupted learning. When Principal Rachael Postle-Brown and her staff adopted a “Whole School” approach to supporting positive student behaviors, a host of benefits followed. The approach has Read More
University Academy—Upper School Kansas City, MO University Academy Upper School is a 9-12 high school located in Kansas City, Missouri and is on a mission to prepare students, not only for college admission, but also for college success. With a high school graduation rate of 100%, this mission-focused public charter high school located in an Read More
Teaching with Art and Heart highlights the resources a dedicated principal has secured for the 700-plus students in her rural South Carolina school, Skyland Elementary. For more than two decades, Dr. Carolyn Styles has created a thriving community of passionate educators and young scholars. In addition to identifying and remediating students’ educational gaps and Read More
In order to spread knowledge of innovative and successful school practices, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program profiles a number of schools from each year’s cohort. Stories are added as they are produced. Still Making the Grade showcases the Brooklyn (NY) School for Global Scholars, P.S. 748. Originally designed as a district-based application school for Read More
Still Making the Grade showcases the Brooklyn (NY) School for Global Scholars, P.S. 748. Originally designed as a district-based application school for gifted and talented students, P.S. 748 featured a self-created and evolving curriculum that used project-based learning and departmentalized, interdisciplinary learning to prepare global citizens for the future. It opened in 2010. Two Read More
Game Changer tells the story of struggling White Street School in Springfield, MA, where “demographics” had been the steady explanation for low student achievement. Families were reluctant to send their children to a school were only 4% of fifth graders scored Proficient in any subject. In 2010, the State Education Department had singled the school Read More
Acting Assistant Secretary, Jason Botel Welcomes 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools During the 2017 awards ceremony, Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Jason Botel was a keynote speaker. Mr. Botel identified the NBRS awardees as the nation’s education “all stars” and acknowledged their innovation, inspiration, and commitment. He Read More
Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos Recognizes 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools During the 2017 recognition ceremony, U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, congratulated the 342 NBRS award winners. The winners represented schools from 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Schools in New York, Germany, and Japan. Secretary DeVos praised the Read More
Keynote Speech The Hero’s Journey: What Role Will You Play? For the ceremony’s keynote speech, National Teacher of the Year Sydney Chaffee drew on the myth of The Hero’s Journey—a quest story that takes its actor from the comforts of the known world into a wider, unknown world of threats and challenges. Critically, at certain Read More
Annette Jones, the Assistant Director of Leadership Development at the National Catholic Education Association, describes her past experience as an NBRS principal of a non-public school and her current work supporting schools on the path to NBRS recognition. Annette Jones Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit Read More
The eight National Blue Ribbon School principals recognized this year for outstanding leadership were honored with the Terrel H. Bell Award on November 6, 2017, during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The VIDEO coverage of the award presentation is posted below. 2017 Terrel H. Bell Awardees Access the 2017 Read More
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has announced 342 schools as the 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The award is based on a school’s overall academic excellence or marked progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. National Blue Ribbon Schools demonstrate that all students can achieve to high levels. In her video message, Secretary Read More
About 12 years ago, following a careful analysis, The Cranbury School (Cranbury, NJ), began “The Math Shuffle.” Taking advantage of its K-8 structure, Cranbury leaders revamped the schedule so that every morning, middle school math teachers “push in” to math instruction classes in grades 3-5. During the Shuffle, students, and sometimes teachers, move around to Read More
Now in its sixth year, Green Valley Ranch High School (Denver, CO) has a peerless record: 100% graduate rate, 100% college-going rate each year. A STEM-focused high school that has attracted a traditionally underserved student population, Green Valley Ranch High supports students through a strong community and higher-than-average academic demands. Director Jenna Kalin and others Read More
The DSST (Denver School of Science and Technology) network, part of Denver Public Schools, was founded in 2005 to expand educational opportunities through open enrollment in STEM-focused schools. Green Valley Ranch High School opened in 2011 and has seen 100% of its seniors graduate and go on to college. Green Valley Ranch High School operates Read More
About five years ago, the community of Deerfield, Illinois, came together to anticipate the educational needs of future generations. Alan Shepard Middle School has led the way. First converting the junior high school to the more student-centered middle school model, leaders at Shepard then expanded students’ encore options (as distinct from core—math, ELA, science, and Read More
Maryland liaison Darla Strouse reflects on the value of educator recognition programs and describes some special ways that Maryland celebrates National Blue Ribbon Schools. Darla Strouse Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public Read More
National Blue Ribbon School recognition propelled Elgin Middle School into the news–for all the right reasons. Read the transcript of Benefits of the Blue Ribbon Award. Read Elgin Middle School’s National Blue Ribbon Schools application. Contact Information Current Principal: Chris Garner Former Principal: Sammy Jackson (2003-2011) Elgin Middle School Highway 17 and Mighty Owl Avenue Elgin, OK Read More
The success of John Wash derives, in part, from grade-level Professional Learning Communities that use assessment results to guide instruction and intervention. Essential standards are assessed through summative, district-wide, and grade-level assessments administered three times a year as well as weekly, formative grade-level assessments created by each PLC. Teams share accountability for all students’ success Read More
Georgia liaison Keisha Ford-Jenrette stresses the importance of recognizing schools that are making great improvements as well as high-achieving schools. Keisha Ford-Jenrette Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your Read More
In order to spread knowledge of innovative and successful school practices, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program profiles a number of schools from each year’s cohort. Stories are added as they are produced. Innovating Math Instruction explores how The Cranbury School (Cranbury, NJ), enables math middle school math teachers to “push in” to lower grades Read More
Deer Park Environmental Science Magnet Elementary School (Newport News, VA) seeks to develop engaged students who bring their learning to life through caring for the environment. Immersing students in critical STEM explorations both on campus and off, Deer Park is home to more than 50 animal habitats. Each classroom hosts at least one habitat, teaching Read More
Joe McTighe, Executive Director of CAPE, describes CAPE’s role in nominating exemplary non-public schools for National Blue Ribbon School recognition and affirms the importance of honoring outstanding educators. Joe McTighe Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and Read More
Ohio liaison Sherry Panizo discusses how her state brings evidence of National Blue Ribbon Schools to bear on discussions of raising achievement in low-performing schools. Sherry Panizo Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both Read More
Florida liaison Lindsay Douglas links her investment in the National Blue Ribbon Schools program to her own experience of graduating from a school that later won NBRS recognition. Lindsay Douglas Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and Read More
Michigan liaison Erika Bolig describes ramping up NBRS involvement after Michigan’s 10-year hiatus from the program. She highlights the program’s vital role in Michigan’s ambitious new education goals. Erika Bolig Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and Read More
Missouri liaison Catherine Rust reflects on her long history with the program and its impact on the Missouri Gold Star Schools. Catherine Rust Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact Read More
Play an excerpt (5:14) from Ellen Oh’s NBRS ceremony talk on how diversity in our stories and storytellers benefit everyone. The We Need Diverse Books http://weneeddiversebooks.org/ organization, which she co-founded, offers a range of resources for readers as well as supports for authors. Download a transcript of Oh’s talk.
Ellen Oh, an author and co-founder of We Need Diverse Books, began her address to the 2016 NBRS educators with a statistic: although 37% of Americans of persons of color, they are reflected in 10% of all children’s books. This lack of inclusive representations deprives both minority and majority children (and their parents) access to the Read More
“Breaking News” 3:04 Students at Worthington Christian Elementary School (Columbus, OH) produced a news segment on their school’s recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School. “Dedication and Hard Work” 2:46 Principal Angela Clenendon of Coeburn Middle School (Coeburn, VA) attributes her school’s NBRS recognition to concerted efforts by teachers, staff, students, and parents. “That’s Us!” Read More
“Breaking News” 3:04 Students at Worthington Christian Elementary School (Columbus, OH) produced a news segment on their school’s recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School. Read the transcript:breaking-news “Dedication and Hard Work” 2:46 Principal Angela Clenendon of Coeburn Middle School (Coeburn, VA) attributes her school’s NBRS recognition to concerted efforts by teachers, staff, students, and Read More
Retired engineer Dale Johnson realized his mission to introduce students to engineering in his town of Mahtomedi, Minnesota, when local interest, energy, and funding culminated in the first Fab Lab (3-D Fabrication Laboratory) to be built in a US public school. In this latest National Blue Ribbon school site visit video, Mahtomedi High School Principal Read More
Mahtomedi High School Mahtomedi Public School District Mahtomedi, MN 2016 winner: Inspired by a retired engineer who saw a need to prepare students for the good jobs of the future, Mahtomedi High School, Mahtomedi, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Paul, created the world’s first Fab Lab in a high school. There students use high tech Read More
Mahtomedi Public School District Mahtomedi, MN Following the success of the Mahtomedi High School’s engineering and 3-D fabrication lab (see the related video), district officials recognized that learning the engineering process would benefit all students. Mahtomedi Public Schools introduced engineering at the middle and elementary school levels, linking it to the science curriculum and offering Read More
Edutopia highlights National Blue Ribbon School Hampton High School in suburban Pittsburgh. Read More
Blackshear Elementary Fine Arts Academy Austin Independent School District Austin, TX In 2011, Blackshear Elementary School (Austin, TX) was labeled in need of improvement. Today, under the inspired leadership of Principal Betty Jenkins, who arrived in 2012, Blackshear is a jewel of the Austin Independent School District, the state’s first elementary level fine arts academy Read More
Piedmont High School (Piedmont, AL, 2012 NBRS) is in the news for its role in bringing one-to-one laptops and broadband to school. Read More
In order to spread knowledge of innovative and successful school practices, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program profiles a number of schools from each year’s cohort. Stories are added as they are produced. Books and Ballet. Hired to bring her school turnaround skills to troubled Blackshear Elementary School (Austin, Texas), Principal Betty Jenkins pushed to make Read More
The Active Learning Elementary School (TALES) New York City Department of Education Queens, NY The Active Learning Elementary School (TALES), Pubic School 244 in Queens, New York was founded on the belief that giving students high quality nutrition and physical play and teaching them about healthy choices will benefit their academic achievement. Since it opened in 2008, Read More
Edutopia features Walter F. Bracken STEAM Academy (Las Vegas, NV, 2013 NBRS) on engaging students in real-world learning. Read More
Caldwell Early College High School Caldwell County Schools Hudson, NC A partnership between Caldwell County Schools and Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) created Caldwell Early College High School (CECHS) in 2006 with an emphasis on creating opportunities The school’s five-year program is located on the CCC&TI campus and emphasizes creating opportunities for first-generation college students Read More
From blue tee-shirts to blue ice cream, from parades to official ceremonies, National Blue Ribbon Schools celebrate their recognition in a host of creative ways. Here are some videos produced by or about 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Students, staff, and parents of Eastover Elementary School (Bloomfield Hills, MI) composed a song to celebrate their Read More
Education Secretary Duncan Announces the 335 National Blue Ribbon Schools of 2015! U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has recognized 335 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015. The award is based on a school’s overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. National Blue Ribbon Schools demonstrate that all Read More
Students at Ardella Tibby Elementary School in Compton (Los Angeles), CA are making great strides in writing and critical thinking through targeted professional development on teaching writing. Watch the new video featuring Tibby’s successful writing program.
The seven 2015 Bell awardees for Outstanding Leadership generously devoted some of their time at the ceremony to share the experiences as school leaders. Five video interviews include an introduction to the seven principals; they offer their definitions of the term leadership; they recall a moment when they “got” the essence of their work; and Read More
LaVace Stewart Elementary School offers pre-schoolers a jump start on academic success through purposeful play. Read More
LaVace Stewart Elementary School Clear Creek Independent School District Kemah, TX Under the guidance of Principal Britani Moses, LaVace Stewart helps prepare qualifying three-and four-year-olds for successful school careers by immersing them in engaging learning experiences suited to young children’s natural curiosity and energy. Pre-K classes are in Spanish or English and feature constructive play—building, Read More
In an effort to spread best practices exemplified by National Blue Ribbon Schools, the program conducts site visits (including virtual site visits) to a number of schools each year. Three new videos draw on those site visits to highlight very successful practices. Meaningful Play: Pre-K Prepares Students for School Success. (5:23). The pre-K program at Read More
Tibby Elementary School Compton Unified School District Compton, CA When Principal Ontrece Ellerbe arrived at Tibby, the data showed students were considerably more successful in math than ELA, leading Ellerbe and her team to conclude that the problem wasn’t with the students, but with the teaching. Through intensive professional development, coaching, and professional learning communities, Read More
NBRS schools leverage the annual award in many ways—from raising student pride and expectations and engaging families more intensely to attracting business and community financial support and volunteers Read More
When winter finally releases its icy grip, New Englanders turn to thoughts of maple sugaring. In this self-produced video, students at Wamaogo High School (2014 National Blue Ribbon School) show how it’s down.
“A Path for Every Student” features 2013 National Blue Ribbon School Campus High School (Wichita, Kansas). The video showcases how Campus helps students reality-test their future plans through 17 Career Pathways as well as a full complement of AP, IB, and dual credit classes.
Campus High School Haysville School District Wichita, Kansas Campus High School offers its more than 1500 students a wealth of opportunities to explore their academic and career interests deeply before graduation. Students may choose electives among Fine Arts, Business, Family and Consumer Science, Foreign Language, Language Arts, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, Social Science and Technical Read More
What was involved in propelling all six elementary schools in Brainerd Public Public Schools to National Blue Ribbon School status in 2014? In this video, teachers at the six schools describe how they changed their professional cultures and teaching practices. Read More
Tiara Taylor and Andrew Rojo, students at Tibby Elementary School (Compton, CA) deliver powerful poems about the impact of a great education and the meaning of becoming “blue.”
“Welcoming New Readers,” a profile of 2013 National Blue Ribbon School Chadwick Elementary, in Baltimore, Maryland, is now live on the NBRS website. The video shows how Chadwick integrates students from multi-lingual backgrounds and guides all students toward close reading from the earliest grades on.
Baltimore Public Schools Baltimore, Maryland Chadwick Elementary School, in western Baltimore, is home to many new immigrants from Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East as well an established African American community. Under Principal (and former reading specialist) Bonnie Hess, Chadwick students, whatever their native language, receive solid instruction in the English language and Read More
The second annual Whitehouse Film Festival, on the theme of “The Impact of Giving Back,” is now accepting films by students in grades K-12. Films must be under three minutes and the deadline is 11:59 pm, January 20. Learn more. Watch President Obama’s personal invitation to participate:
Every year a handful of National Blue Ribbon Schools are honored with a school site visit, culminating in a short video that highlights some aspect of the school’s success and Blue Ribbon caliber. On individual school pages, in addition to watching the video, you can access the school’s 2013 application, a video transcript, student demographic Read More
Sugar-Salem Joint District #322 Sugar City, Idaho Rural schools face special challenges, especially in the West, where great distances often separate small towns. Thanks to continuing advances in technology, students at Sugar-Salem High School, in the foothills of the Grand Tetons, distance is no obstacle to a high quality education. Spearheaded by a savvy administration, Read More
Clark County School District Las Vegas, Nevada Walter Bracken Elementary School, an urban school near downtown Las Vegas, was declared In Need of Improvement in 2002. Reinventing itself as an elementary magnet school for math and science through technology, accessible via random lottery, Bracken exited In Need of Improvement status in two years and has Read More
2021 Awardees Reflect on the NBRS Application Process School and Leadership Awardees Filter the awardee database by year, state, school type, or grade level to find recognized schools, applications, and contact info. NBRS AWARDEES Learn about the Terrel H. Bell school leadership awardees. BELL AWARDEES Learn from NBRS Schools Successful School Practices from 2021 Read More
Hartford Public Schools Hartford, Connecticut Connecticut’s first K-12 feeder pathway school, the STEM Magnet at Annie Fisher School in Hartford offers its K-8 students a rigorous grounding in STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and the opportunity to attend a STEM high school to further their studies. Through a partnership with the Connecticut Science Read More
To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, here is 2014 National Teacher of the Year responding to an question after his speech at the 2013 NBRS Ceremony. A member of audience asked: “I was wondering if you had a teacher who inspired you, especially in the field of science.” Here’s how Jeff Charbonneau answered: “I actually had Read More
Writer and filmmaker Jennifer Fischer, who co-directed the documentary film Underdogs, about 2011 National Blue Ribbon McGrath Elementary School in Newhall, California, writes a love letter to public schools in a recent issue of the Santa Clara (CA) News. Read “As Summer Draws Near Thank an Educator.” Underdogs, due for completion later this year, showcases Read More
Students at two 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools picked up video cameras to celebrate the award and highlight what’s great about their schools. On the Blue Beat – 4:37 Principal Joseph Giammarella introduces this video, made by students at High Tech High School (North Bergen, NJ) to celebrate their school’s NBRS award and contagiously positive Read More
To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, here is 2014 National Teacher of the Year responding to an question after his speech at the 2013 NBRS Ceremony. A member of audience asked: “I was wondering if you had a teacher who inspired you, especially in the field of science.” Here’s how Jeff Charbonneau answered: “I actually had Read More
Students at two 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools picked up video cameras to celebrate the award and highlight what’s great about their schools. Principal Joseph Giammarella introduces this video, made by students at High Tech High School (North Bergen, NJ) to celebrate their school’s NBRS award and contagiously positive spirit. Written and narrated by 8th Read More
Austin Independent School District Austin, Texas In only five years, J. Walter Graham Elementary School, a Title I school on the east side of Austin, Texas, went from slipping toward academic unacceptability to “one of the best elementary schools in the state of Texas,” in the words of education researcher Ed Fuller of Penn State Read More
Videos of National Blue Ribbon Schools receiving their 2013 plaques are now available for streaming. They are organized by state, alphabetically: Alabama – DOD Education Activity District of Columbia – Illinois Indiana – Maine Maryland – Nebraska Nevada – New York North Carolina – Oklahoma Pennsylvania – Utah Virginia – Wyoming
Piedmont City School District Piedmont, Alabama Students from tiny Piedmont, Alabama (population 5,210) and the surrounding area attend Piedmont High School, a comprehensive high school that offers a full range of AP, Honors, career and college preparatory, and vocational and technical education courses. With the decline of local industries, the Piedmont School District is a Read More
Boston Public Schools Boston, Massachusetts Fenway High School was founded in 1983 as an alternative program for students at risk of dropping out. Its founders created a small school where students would be challenged intellectually and feel safe socially. Fenway’s motto is “Work Hard. Be Yourself. Do the Right Thing.” To those ends, the school Read More
Speakers: Dolly Harth Parker, Lakenheath Middle School, Department of Defense Education Activity Kurt Simon, Principal, West Side Elementary School, Cold Springs Harbor, NY Doug Smith, Principal, Ord Elementary School, Ord, NE Patricia Griffin, Principal, St. Jude’s School, Monroe, CT Joey Jones, Principal, Robert Frost Middle School, Rockville, MD Erlene Santiago, John Yehall Chin Elementary School, Read More
Speakers: Sam Machesky, Principal, Stonegate Elementary School, Irvine, CA Janice Womble, Principal, Thomas Magnet School, Shelbyville TN David Leach, Principal, Cherry Lane Elementary School, Suffern, NY Transcript: Professional Learning and Invention
Speakers: Cindy Presnell, Principal, Scott Elementary School, Scott Air Force Base, IL Judy Greer, Assistant Principal, Ellen Smith Elementary School, Conway, AK Gordon Goodman, Principal, Burwell Elementary School, Burwell, NE Transcript: Community Connections
Speakers: Sue Wilson, Principal, United North Elementary, Alexis, IL Beth Ann Bader, Principal, Chandler Traditional Academy-Liberty Campus, Chandler, AZ Darlene Braun, Principal, St. Joseph’s School, Pierre, SD Cindy Scwec, Principal, Fair Oaks Elementary School, Marietta, GA Transcript On Teachers and Teaching
Speakers: Craig Menzel, Seoul American Middle School, Department of Defense Education Activity Arlene Wallace, Principal, Mayo High School for Math, Science, and Technology, Darlington, SC Mark Abramovich, Principal, Harmon Middle School, Aurora, OH Transcript: Rigor and High Expectations
Before the 2013 National Blue Ribbon School Recognition Ceremony officially began, several hundred 2013 school representatives gathered for a networking session. Aba Kumi, NBRS Director led the session with Elizabeth Williamson, USDE Region III Communications Director, and Helen Littlejohn, USDE Region VIII Communications Director. Principals, teachers, and superintendents and shared ideas in open discussion and posted more Read More
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan used a visit to a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School, Walter Bracken STEAM Academy in Las Vegas, NV, to highlight the role of high standards and expectations. Duncan called Bracken’s story of transformation from a low-performing school to a national model “profound.” View a slide show of Secretary Duncan’s Read More
Each year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program conducts site visits at selected schools in the year’s cohort. Often these schools are characterized by high student performance and populations with high numbers of disadvantaged students. The 2014 site visits took place in Alabama, Texas, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Engaging Questions at Boston’s First Pilot School: Fenway Read More
The 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools each contributed two photographs to represent their schools in a looping video that showed throughout the ceremony. Divided into three videos here, the first shows schools from Alabama to Iowa, the second from Kansas to North Dakota, and the third from Ohio to Wyoming. Click the icon in the Read More
National Blue Ribbon Schools have many ways to showcase their successes. Several 2013 schools have used video to celebrate and highlight what they do well. On a mission from “President Obama,” a pair of bumbling, not-too-bright Blues Brothers stumble around the campus of Robert Frost Middle School (Rockville, MD), from the nurse’s station to the Read More
The National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Association of Elementary School Principals have declared October 2013 as ‘‘National Principals Month’’ to honor principals’ dedication to students, teachers, and families all year long. The National Principals Month website contains a host of ideas for celebrating principals this month, including a video contest featuring “props” Read More
Principal Sheila Harrity of Worcester Technical High School (Worcester, MA), a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School, has been named the 2014 National High School Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)-MetLife Foundation. Harrity assumed leadership of Worcester Tech in 2006. Although the school occupied a new state-of-the-art building, it Read More
“In a country where we expect free Wi-Fi with our coffee, shouldn’t we demand it in our schools? Shouldn’t we want that for our children’s education?” President Barack Obama raised these questions at the launch of the ConnectED Initiative, aimed at connecting 99% of America’s students to high-speed wireless Internet in five years. Connected Educators is Read More
U.S. Representative Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) recently singled out 2012 NBRS Bedford Memorial Elementary School (Bedford, NH) for praise on the floor of the U.S. Congress. The positive recognition granted by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program helps America’s best schools and shows others what is possible, she said. Watch Shea-Porter’s tribute to Bedford Memorial and Read More
A video produced for ED by the History Channel tells the story of Forest Heights Academy of Excellence in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A 2008 National Blue Ribbon School, Forest Heights is a public magnet school where students excel in both academics and the performing and the visual arts. Read the ED “homeroom” blog story about An Read More
Each year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program visits selected schools to capture their stories. Produced as audio slideshows, these school profiles feature the voices and images of principals, teachers, students, parents, and community members as they offer first-person perspectives on what makes their schools strive for—and achieve—excellence. The six schools profiled among the 2009 Read More
Beeville, Texas Beeville, a small rural community in south Texas, changed dramatically in the early 1990’s when the area’s major employer, the Chase Field Naval Air Station, closed. Five area prisons became Beeville’s major employer; newcomers included prison staff, inmates, and their families. Faced with a funding gap, the Catholic dioceses threatened to close the Read More
East Baton Rouge Parish School System East Baton Rouge, Louisiana With its concrete slabs, flat roof, and retrofitted spaces, the Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School facility is the antithesis of the life within. Spend five minutes inside and you are witness to a community of high-expectations and vibrant and well-designed learning opportunities. Drawing from 35 of the Read More
Broward County School District Pompano Beach, Florida Take a dynamic staff, a spacious and well-lit building, high standards, and motivated students, and the odds of having a superior high school dramatically increase. To that combination Pompano Beach High School, a magnet school in the seaside Florida city of that name, adds an innovative, four-day schedule Read More
Sanger Unified School District Fresno, California Five years ago, John Wash Elementary School was struggling to accommodate a rapidly growing, increasingly diverse student population. Today, it is a California Distinguished School and a 2009 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School, driven by high expectations, shared accountability, and a focus on learning outcomes. “We Read More
Taunton Public Schools Taunton, Massachusetts Three-fifths of the 350 Kindergarten through fourth-grade students who attend Hopewell Elementary School qualify for federally subsidized meals. Despite challenges, in 2009 Hopewell placed among the top ten percent of elementary schools in Massachusetts, a state with among the most rigorous education standards in the country. Principal Thomas Quigley has Read More
Dougherty County School District Albany, Georgia The approach to the Alice Coachman Elementary school is a sweeping circular driveway that leads to the front of the school. On school mornings, the driveway is crowded with parents delivering their children to school. Each car and every child is met by a member of the school staff Read More
The links below will download .zip files containing presentations from the 2009 Ceremony. Click on the link to download the file. At the Core of No Child Left Behind is the Demand to Close the Achievement Gap, and Have All Children Reach Their Potential. Is that possible? John S. Wash Elementary School Fresno, CA Looking Read More
Voices from the 2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools Ceremony A number of Blue Ribbon School principals and superintendents generously agreed to sit for audio interviews on what the Blue Ribbon Schools award means to them and their school communities. Coupled with pictures from 2009 Blue Ribbon Schools, the audio topics are: What the Award Means Read More
Voices from 2010 Terrel H. Bell Award Winners Several 2010 Terrel H. Bell Award school principals generously agreed to sit for audio interviews during the National Blue Ribbon Schools Ceremony. Excerpts from their remarks on leadership are coupled with photographs from 2010 Blue Ribbon Schools from around the country. Reflections on Leadership: Voices from Read More
Several 2012 NBR schools got out video cameras to showcase their National Blue Ribbon Schools spirit. Click the headings below to watch the videos. This witty drama about the spirit of the National Blue Ribbon School award was created by students at Westwood High School (Westwood, MA). Student filmmakers at Basehor-Linwood High School (Basehor, KS) Read More
North Star Academy School District Newark, New Jersey North Star Academy Charter School of Newark (North Star) was founded in 1997 to improve outcomes for youth in Newark, NJ. Today, 100% of North Star graduates are accepted to four-year colleges and 72% of North Star alumni have graduated or are on track to graduate from Read More
Boston Public Schools Roxbury, Massachusetts An “exam” or choice college preparatory school for students in grades 7 – 12, the John D. O’Bryant High School of Mathematics and Science draws a diverse mix of students from across Boston, serving students traditionally under-represented in science, technology, engineering, and math careers and facilitates strong and caring relationships Read More
Elgin Public Schools Elgin, Oklahoma A “Handprint Alley” showcases handprints and signatures from members of each graduating class from Elgin Middle School, alongside faculty caricatures and framed tee shirts with student-inspired slogans. These touches reinforce Elgin’s 3 R’s—the relationships, rewards, and recognition that engage students and propel their academic success. Elgin uses a tangible reward Read More
Port Chester UFSD Port Chester, New York John F. Kennedy Magnet School is a K – 5 math, science, and technology magnet school in Port Chester, a low-income city in otherwise prosperous Westchester County. An active port, the city has long drawn immigrant families; with a recent influx of new citizens from Central and South Read More
New York City District 15c Brooklyn, NY Customization is the byword at PS 172, Beacon School of Excellence. Led by Principal Jack Spatola and Assistant Principal Erika Gundersen, Beacon teachers revisit and revise curricula throughout the year to meet students’ needs. In the video, teachers Maria DiRosa and Angela Ventura also describe Integrated Co-Teaching, which Read More
Rocky Mount, VA Instructional coach Teresa Sanders and colleagues describe how the adoption of a rigorous, intensive Word Study program to teach decoding and understanding words has propelled student achievement to high levels. An integral part of the core English Language Arts curriculum from Kindergarten through fifth grade, Word Study practices at Rocky Mount are Read More
Beaumont, CA Principal Lauren Kinney explains how explicit, direct interactive instruction (DII) engages students in active conversations and learning, and teachers Jennifer Tillson and Tracy Waters demonstrate how kinesthetic learning helps students retain knowledge and stay engaged in learning. A student reflects on teaching another student as part of an innovative, statewide RTI intervention that Read More
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Charlotte, NC Students are chosen for Piedmont (and all CMS magnet schools) through an open lottery. Principal Dee Gardner, formerly Piedmont’s schoolwide Instructional Coach, describes how Piedmont students learn to apply Argumentative Literacy, an element of the Common Core curriculum, in all subjects, even music. Teachers David Milligan and Megan Whiting illustrate a Read More
What happens at a National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony? This 3-minute video shows some key moments of the 2011 ceremony. Student performances enriched the ceremony, which brought educators together in a host of networking and learning opportunities.
A carefully designed professional development system provides teachers with ongoing classroom observations from peer instructional leaders. This intense and ongoing coaching of teachers helps ensure that students, many of whom enter North Star well behind their grade-level peers, recover lost academic ground and steadily climb the mountain to college. Read the transcript of Training Olympic-Level Teachers. Read More
The expectation that every North Star student will go to college permeates the school culture, from the morning meetings that affirm the school’s core values of responsibility, caring, courage, and respect, to individual classrooms, each of which takes the name of a college or university. North Star creates its own curriculum (lesson plans, activities, and Read More
Students at JFK Magnet Elementary begin using the scientific method early, so that by fifth grade, it’s second nature. In addition a full science lab, a vegetable garden, built with volunteer help, serves as a hands-on testing ground. Read the transcript of Kids as Scientists. Read JFK’s 2010 National Blue Ribbon Schools application. Return to the general Read More
A comprehensive Bilingual/ ESL Program of instruction in Spanish, using the same curriculum used in classes taught in English, removes language and achievement barriers for non-native English speaking students. Spanish-speaking students in lower grades receive most of their instruction in Spanish, transitioning to English over time. The number of teachers highly proficient in English and Read More
In addition to rigorous academics, students at Elgin Middle School receive daily affirmations through “relationships, rewards, and recognition” that keep them engaged and disposed to see school as fun. Read the transcript of Keeping Middle Schools Students Motivated. Read Elgin Middle School’s National Blue Ribbon Schools application. Contact Information Current Principal: Chris Garner Former Principal: Read More
Rather than traditional lectures and labs, inquiry-based learning engages students in STEM learning at John D. O’Bryant High School of Math and Science. Written reports and presentations further cement student learning and confidence. Read the transcript of Math, Science and Technology: Inspiring a Way of Thinking. Download the John D. O’Bryant High School of Mathematics and Science Blue Read More
Students recognize that personal attention is what makes O’Bryant unique. Teachers at this Boston school make themselves available well before and after school to support students in mastering O’Bryant’s challenging STEM curriculum. Read the transcript of “More than a Number”: The Power of Relationships. Download the John D. O’Bryant High School of Mathematics and Science Blue Ribbon Read More
Alice Coachman Elementary is fortunate in having a strong group of individual, community-based, and corporate volunteers who see their involvement in “our neighborhood school” as a civic duty. They live in the same community as the students and parents and feel strongly that “strong schools make strong communities.” Volunteers work in individual classrooms tutoring children, Read More
With experience as a successful administrator and knowledge of the research, Principal Victor has strong opinions about what makes a school good for teaching and learning. Faculty members understand and support her vision, generating very low turnover rates over the years. Principal Victor’s distributed leadership model gives teachers numerous opportunities to contribute to discussions of Read More
Staff and administrators at Alice Coachman recognize parents as their child’s “first teacher” and have worked from the school’s 1999 opening to “get parents on board.” Principal Victor feels that the school’s emphasis on involving parents in their children’s school lives has helped students, and Coachman, succeed. Parents take part in school assemblies and performances Read More
Students recite the mission statement each morning during student-led morning announcements. Faculty and staff are hired based on their commitment to this mission and seek to work at Coachman Elementary because of the educational power of this shared vision. Parents choose Alice Coachman for its strong academic climate, emphasis on skills development, and its caring Read More
Principal Quigley promotes an egalitarian approach at Hopewell and has transformed the role of teacher aides or assistants into powerful teaching collaborators. Read the transcript of Empowering Staff. Return to the general introduction to Hopewell Elementary School. Contact Information Hopewell Elementary School 16 Monroe Street Taunton, MA 02780-6805 (508) 821-1240 FAX (508) 821-1356 https://www.tauntonschools.org/hopewell-school Student Demographics 2009-2010 Read More
Hopewell seeks to broaden students’ horizons through offering enrichment programs on Saturdays—a chess club, art classes, music classes, and Spanish classes, through involving students in community service, and through teaching students social and emotional skills to negotiate healthy relationships with others. Read the transcript of Educating the Whole Child. Return to the general introduction to Hopewell Elementary Read More
Local educator Ruth Bradley developed an innovative phonics program for early readers that been used successfully at Hopewell for many years. Dr. Bradley recently donated all of her program materials to Hopewell with the hope that it will be made available to other schools. Hopewell teachers also use a Literacy Closet and Readers’ Theater in Read More
A challenging district promotion policy prepares students for later success in school and life by ensuring that students don’t advance to the next grade level until they have mastered academic coursework and met homework completion and attendance requirements. A “21st century” report card makes a student’s progress easy to grasp. Despite its numbers of children Read More
John Wash Elementary School commits time, energy, and resources to professional development. Administrators, teachers, and resource personnel use a common instructional language. Teams collaborate to plan and master explicit, direct instructional practices with precise lesson designs and delivery. Teachers use think-alouds, graphic organizers, and white boards to check for student understanding. English learners are paired Read More
Marc Johnson, Sanger USD Superintendent, recaps the John Wash Elementary turn-around story. He identifies the guiding principles and practices that contributed to the transformation and highlights the role of leadership, high expectations, collaborative culture, and shared accountability in meeting the needs of all students. Read the transcript of Defining Moments of School Change. Return to the general Read More
Pompano Beach High School students characterize their teachers as adults engage them in hands-on learning and pose realistic, engaging tasks. Service learning opportunities take students out of school to tutor students from the next-door elementary school and coordinate food drives. Pompano’s strong computer focus challenges students to create websites, presentations, and other media to demonstrate Read More
Pompano Beach is a school where, in the words of then-principal David Gordon, “It’s okay to be smarter.” Principal Gordon, magnet coordinator Bill Bankowski, and students and teachers describe some of the practices that make this relatively small (1260 students) high school the one where top colleges and universities come to recruit scholars and scientists. Read More
Administrators remain committed to keeping their two reading interventionists and K – 3 reading coach, despite funding challenges. The three-tiered reading program meets students where they are, adding as many as 30 minutes of reading a day. Students are comfortable being pulled out for small groups by the interventionists or for tutoring by a paraprofessional Read More
Many St. Mary’s students come from families that face multiple challenges. The principal and several teachers have dual certification as school guidance counselors. However, recognizing that some students require professional counseling in order to focus on academics, and given pressures on parents’ time and resources, the Board and administration arranged to locate a professional counselor Read More
St. Mary’s teachers are drawn less by money than dedication to students and the school’s collaborative culture. Beginning teachers are paid on par with the public schools but the salary scale for veteran (more than 10 years) teachers is at least 20% lower. St. Mary’s employs highly qualified veteran teachers part-time through a uniquely flexible Read More
“Wrap-around services”–before, after, and summer school programs–help allay concerns for parents with heavy work schedules and transportation constraints. Teachers staff the wrap-around services because they see the results in the classroom. Students receive homework help or targeted tutoring, followed by enrichment activities. “So many students stay after school and come during the summer, even the Read More
Threatened by school closings in 2001, a group of dedicated educators and community members applied for and received charter approval quickly. A Board of Directors provides fiscal and program oversight, relying on committed administrators to implement the academic program. A fiscally astute principal and business manager raise money through grants to supplement the state allotment, Read More
While only students with 2.5 GPAs are accepted to this academic magnet school, the high standards can challenge even formerly high-achieving students. Guidance staff offer a sixth-grade support program to help struggling students form relationships and learn study skills and organization. A Positive Behavior Intervention program helps students learn appropriate school behaviors. Parent involvement is Read More
Sherwood’s curriculum ensures that students meet local and state standards and then some. In mathematics, students are expected to exceed grade-level standards, enrolling in double math classes if necessary. Students who succeed in the core curriculum may enroll in enrichment courses such as forensics, pre-law, and marine biology. On a given day, students may be Read More
Sherwood teachers and administrators engage regularly during “eat and meet” lunch breaks where they review student progress, plan units of study, and discuss other academic matters. Hallways are arranged by content area to support impromptu, content-based interactions between teachers and students and among teachers. All teachers participate in regular team walkthroughs using a common form Read More
Although Principal Crawford’s leadership is a finely tuned blend of knowledge, disposition, and skills, she credits her success to her ability to “get the right people on the bus.” She knows that Sherwood’s success depends on the staff’s collective capacity to get the job done – whatever it takes. Professionals are drawn to Sherwood for Read More