Leonard Elementary | National Blue Ribbon Award
We are so proud that Leonard Elementary was named by the United States Department of Education as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School! We have been designated as an Exemplary High-Performing School, which honors our student academic achievement as among the top in the state. Watch this video to learn more.
You can visit the National Blue Ribbon website to see the official list of schools who received the award in 2021 and check out Leonard’s profile: https://portal.nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/schools/history
In addition, here is the official press release issued by the office of the U.S. Department of Education:
U.S. Department of Education Announces 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized 325 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
“The 2021 cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” said Secretary Cardona. “I commend this school and all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better.”
The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.
The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:
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Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
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Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon Schools nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.
Dr. Detmer, Mrs. Haboush, and Mrs. Griffor receiving the 2021 National Blue Ribbon School Award.