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What is a Blue Ribbon School?

6/29/2017

Marianne Chase

It is a rigorous, demanding process of paperwork including self-assessments and data collection, validating success. The following criteria are carefully measured: student focus and support; school organization and culture; challenging standards and curriculum; active teaching and learning; professional community; leadership and educational vitality; school, family, and community partnerships; and indicators of success. The final determination, made by the Secretary of Education, is based on the recommendation of the Panel.

Since 1982, this award has identified the highest achieving schools by evaluating student achievement with measurable goals, interpreting student performance and improvement. Private schools adhere to a higher performance standard than public schools. To be eligible to be a high performing school of excellence, private schools must rank in the top 15 percent in the nation of all schools on state assessments in both reading and mathematics. Less than .5% of schools in the nation are given this distinction. Calvary’s Lower School is 1 out of only 50 private schools in the nation to receive this recognition this year.

Calvary was announced as a Blue Ribbon nominee in spring 2016, and after several months of waiting, the confirmation came at the end of September. We were thrilled to have this honor bestowed upon us. After traveling to Washington D.C. and attending a wonderful ceremony where we received the award, along with meeting other schools throughout the nation, we knew we had to celebrate as a school. So Blue Day was created, and we had a lower school pep rally of sorts, to commemorate our achievement as a school. We sang and danced in our blue outfits with blue ribbons and blue balloons adorning the chapel. Blue Bell Ice Cream company even came out and joined in the celebration giving us a special gift for our library and free ice cream for everyone.

As we move on with this prestigious award I thank the educators and staff that work with the children in the lower school providing students with the support and encouragement that they need to help them succeed academically. They exemplify excellence in their teaching each and every day. I thank them for their continuously positive efforts and commitment to giving each child a quality education. I also commend our students and our families for their pledge to support their children and provide them with the best possible education that they can. With the partnerships we have at Calvary, our students are able to experience a school driven by excellence in all areas, and for this I am thankful.

To learn more about this honor, visit the Blue Ribbon Award website at:http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html

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