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Media Contacts - GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 463-1487, dtofig@doe.k12.ga.us - Chad Colby, U.S. Department of Education, chad.colby@ed.gov - To speak to officials from the Blue Ribbon Schools, please follow local district media protocol. September 9, 2008 – U .S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today named eight Georgia public schools as 2008 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools. Secretary Spellings made the announcement today at Atlanta's F.L. Stanton Elementary School with State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "These are eight schools that are leading the way in achievement and improvement," said Superintendent Cox. "In Georgia, we know how great these schools are. Now, the whole country knows it too." The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools award distinguishes and honors schools for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap. “These Blue Ribbon Schools are an example of what teachers and students can achieve,” Secretary Spellings said. Blue Ribbon Schools are chosen in one of three categories ( see the full criteria descriptions ): - TOP 10% : Schools that scored in the top 10 percent in student achievement. - TOP 10% : (40% Disadvantaged): Schools that scored in the top 10 percent in student achievement AND have at least 40 percent of its students considered economically disadvantaged. - GREATEST GAINS : Schools with at least 40 percent economically disadvantaged students that have dramatically improved student achievement to high levels. Representatives from these schools are invited to attend an Awards Ceremony hosted by the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC on October 20 & 21. For more information on the Blue Ribbon School program, go to the U.S. Department of Education's Website. The Eight National Blue Ribbon Schools are: TOP 10% (40% Disadvantaged) East Central Elementary School Rome City Schools Tonya Wood, Principal Centralhatchee Elementary School, Franklin Heard County Schools Carol Thomas, Principal GREATEST GAINS Appling County Primary, Baxley Appling County Scarlett Copeland, Principal F.L. Stanton Elementary, Atlanta Atlanta Public Schools Dr. Marlo Barber, Principal Futral Road Elementary School, Griffin Griffin-Spalding County Larry Jones, Jr. Principal TOP 10% Mabry Middle School, Marietta Cobb County Schools Merrilee Heflin, Principal Livsey Elementary School, Tucker DeKalb County Schools Dr. Melanie Castelle, Principal Milton High School, Milton Fulton County Schools Mr. Ronald Tesch, Principal PRIVATE SCHOOLS Superintendent Cox also congratulated one Georgia private school, Torah Day School of Atlanta, that was chosen for Blue Ribbon designation. The criteria for private schools is different and can be viewed at http://www.capenet.org/brs.html. MORE INFORMATION - U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Program Website
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