Six Maryland elementary schools earned the status of National Blue Ribbon Schools for performing exceptionally well or showing dramatic improvements on state tests, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday.
The schools, four of which are in the Baltimore region, are among 320 in the nation to receive the designation as part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
The award is open to all elementary, middle and high schools, but to receive this status, at least 40 percent of students must come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or schools must score in the top 10 percent on state assessments.
State Schools Superintendent Nancy Grasmick said in a statement that Maryland’s Blue Ribbon schools show “we can close the achievement gap and raise the level of education in the state.”
The six Blue Ribbon schools are:
• Broadneck Elementary in Anne Arundel;
• Cecil Elementary in Baltimore City;
• Piney Ridge Elementary in Carroll;
• Hickory Elementary in Harford;
• Cresaptown Elementary in Allegany;
• Hickory Elementary in Washington.
Only a handful of the nearly 150 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders at Cecil Elementary failed to reach proficient standards in reading and math on the 2008 Maryland School Assessment, despite a large percentage receiving free and reduced-price meals.
Principal Roxanne Forr said the school is successful, because it upholds performance expectations.
“We make sure the students are aware of the [high] expectations; we make sure the parents are aware of the expectations; and it’s consistent,” she said.
At Hickory Elementary, which scored in the top 10 percent on the MSA, teachers research teaching techniques and meet weekly to collaborate.
After they employ the techniques in the classroom, they again meet to study any change in test scores that may result.
“I always have to say the dedication of the staff, and their willingness to think outside the box really helps,” said Jeanette Jennings, who is in her first year as principal.
In 2007, seven schools in Maryland earned the award.
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