Eight
Georgia public schools receive National
Blue Ribbon recognition
MEDIA
CONTACT: Matt
Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook
September
30, 2014 – Eight
Georgia public schools
have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools, receiving an annual recognition
from the U.S. Department of Education reserved for public and private
elementary, middle and high schools with superior academic achievement or gains
in achievement.
Wadsworth
Magnet School for High Achievers, Medlock Bridge Elementary School, Lake Oconee
Academy, South Forsyth Middle School, Centralhatchee Elementary School, Elite
Scholars Academy, Stallings Island Middle School, and Big A Elementary Schools
are all 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools.
"I
congratulate these eight schools for being recognized as 2014 National Blue
Ribbon Schools," said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge. "I
am so proud of all that these schools have accomplished. The academic
performance in these schools is a result of focused students, teachers,
education leaders and parents working together toward the same goal of high student
achievement."
The program
was founded in 1982 and recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and
high schools where students perform at exceptionally high levels, or where
significant improvements in academic achievement are being made. Schools in the
“Exemplary High Performing” category are among their state’s highest performing
schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Schools
in the “Exemplary Improving” category serve populations with a high percentage
of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and demonstrate significant
progress in improving student achievement levels as measured by state
assessments or nationally normed tests.
National Blue
Ribbon Schools are honored at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.,
and each receive a plaque and flag to signify their exemplary status. The
schools’ achievements are shared on the U.S. Department of Education’s website,
and the principals and teacher leaders of National Blue Ribbon schools are
called on to give presentations at state, regional, and professional meetings
about the practices that made a difference for their students and faculty.
The schools
are nominated by the U.S. Secretary of Education, the Chief State School
officer in each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Department of
Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. A total of 417
schools nationwide may be nominated, with the number of nominations in each
state determined by the number of K-12 students and schools in each
jurisdiction.
2014
GEORGIA BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS
Wadsworth
Magnet School for High Achievers, DeKalb County
Medlock
Bridge Elementary School, Fulton County
Lake
Oconee Academy, Greene County
South
Forsyth Middle School, Forsyth County
Centralhatchee
Elementary School, Heard County
Elite
Scholars Academy, Clayton County
Stallings
Island Middle School, Columbia County
Big
A Elementary Schools, Stephens County
