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JACKSON, Miss. – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized three Mississippi schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
The three schools earning the national distinction for exemplary high performance are:
• Center Hill Middle School DeSoto County School District
• Eastside Elementary School Clinton Public School District
• North Bay Elementary School Biloxi Public School District
“I’m pleased to celebrate with you as your school is named a National Blue Ribbon School,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives. Congratulations on your students’ accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs.”
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.
Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education, said the schools’ students, teachers and leaders should be commended for earning the national recognition.
“To be designated a National Blue Ribbon school is an honor based on exceptional teaching and learning. These schools represent the high-quality public education that takes place across Mississippi each day, and I congratulate them and their communities on this outstanding accomplishment.”
Now in its 36th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,800 schools. The 2018 honorees will be recognized at an awards ceremony Nov. 7-8 in Washington, D.C.
All schools are honored in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:
• Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups and all students over the past five years.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School 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 (CAPE).
