Snowville Elementary nominated for 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools award

Snowville Elementary School has been nominated as one of seven (7) outstanding schools from Virginia deserving of the National Blue Ribbon Schools award. The National Blue Ribbon Schools award highlights and gives recognition to both public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that are producing outstanding results for all students regardless of race or socioeconomic status. Schools recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools are those that have demonstrated consistent excellence, and in some cases, those that have made progress and closed gaps in student achievement. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is part of a larger U. S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and instructional practices.

Snowville Elementary School was nominated for the award based on one of two criteria: 1) Exemplary High Performing Schools are schools that ranked among the state’s highest performing as measured by their performance on the state assessment in the most recent year tested; or 2) Exemplary Improving Schools are schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that have made the most progress in improving student performance on state assessments in the most recent five years.

For many schools, attaining the National Blue Ribbon School award and recognition is a realization of a long-held dream. There is much excitement in the school community and the local media eagerly profiles schools that attain the recognition. The schools are honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC, in the fall, where each National Blue Ribbon School receives a plaque and flag to signify its National Blue Ribbon School status. National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models for other schools throughout the nation and details of their achievements are shared on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools award sets a standard of excellence for all schools striving for the highest level of achievement. Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals, including those that beat the odds. For many schools, a National Blue Ribbon School flag-waving overhead has become a trademark of excellence, a symbol of quality recognized by everyone from parents to policymakers in thousands of communities. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program sets a high standard that should represent a goal for all schools that strive for excellence.

For the past 30 years, this prestigious program has honored more than 7,110 of America’s most successful schools. For public schools, the U. S. Secretary of Education invites Chief State School Officers to nominate schools from their state that meet the National Blue Ribbon School recognition criteria.

“We are proud of our Snowville community of parents, partners, students, teachers and administrators.” said Pulaski County School Board Chair Michael Barbour. “Furthermore, we are confident that Snowville will submit an outstanding and competitive application for the 2013 National Blue Ribbon Award. They are richly deserving of the award.”

–Submitted by Thomas Brewster, Pulaski County Public Schools

Leave a Reply Cancel reply