National Blue Ribbon Awards Given to Three Rhode Island Schools
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The U.S. Department of Education today recognized three Rhode Island schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018, based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps.
The schools receiving this honor are Colt Andrews Elementary School in Bristol, East Greenwich High School in East Greenwich, and Jamestown School-Melrose in Jamestown.
“The Blue Ribbon School Award is a tremendous honor, and earning this distinction requires hard work, talent, and vision from school leaders, teachers, and, of course, the students,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “Congratulations to Rhode Island’s newest Blue Ribbon Schools, joining the ranks of some of the most engaging, innovative, dynamic schools in our state and across the country.”
“I want to offer my sincere thanks and congratulations to these three outstanding school communities,” said Ken Wagner, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. “A significant amount of work goes into becoming a Blue Ribbon School, and that work does not go unnoticed. These schools have a lot to be proud of, and we look to them as examples of some of the best practices that will move our entire system forward.”
«I am extremely proud of the Colt Andrews faculty, staff, administrators, community, and students for achieving this prestigious award,” said Dr. Mario Andrade, Superintendent of the Bristol Warren Regional School District. “This is a reflection of their dedication, collaboration, and growth mindset over a number of years as well as their commitment to provide high quality instruction coupled with high expectations to all students on a daily basis.»
«We are honored and delighted to have East Greenwich High School named as a Blue Ribbon school. This accolade speaks to the collective hard work of the administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, and EGHS community members to set and meet high expectations for all of our students, and we are most grateful for the recognition,” said Dr. Victor Mercurio, East Greenwich Superintendent.
«I am honored and very proud of our school community at this time. It is through Ms. Petersen’s strong leadership and the hard work of our students, teachers, families, and community that we have earned this prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools award for our district,” said Dr. Kenneth Duva, Jamestown Superintendent. “Thank you to our community for their generous and boundless support of our schools. It is truly a collaborative partnership that we have with our educators, families, town government and community.»
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards, or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. East Greenwich High School and Jamestown School-Melrose were designated as Exemplary High Performing Schools, and Colt Andrews Elementary School was designated as an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School.
Now in its 36th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized more than 8,800 schools. This year’s honorees will be celebrated at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on November 7 and 8.