Four Kansas schools among 356 in the US honored for academic excellence, improvements
Four Kansas elementary schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education, one for the first time in its history.
The department of education awarded 356 schools in the U.S. with the title, which recognizes schools based on academic excellence or for closing achievement gaps, according to its website. The awards were announced Sept. 19.
According to the Kansas Department of Education, 145 schools in that state have been recognized with the award since the program began in 1982. This year, 46 states had at least one school awarded the honor. In all, 313 schools recognized with the title were public and 40 were non-public.
In Kansas, Edgerton Elementary School, Lakeside Elementary School, Roesland Elementary School and Valley Heights Elementary School were all recognized. Here’s a look at the institutions and the federal program.
Who can be a National Blue Ribbon winner?
The U.S. Department of Education selects a number of schools each year as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
“The National Blue Ribbon School award acknowledges and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for — and attaining — exemplary achievement,” the U.S. Department of Education’s website reads.
Both public and non-public schools can be among the winners. Schools in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands can be nominated for the distinction, and then are invited to apply for the title every year.
For this year’s winners, the schools must have been open from at least September 2017 and have been a part of statewide assessments at least three years before September 2022.
Kansas’ 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools
Edgerton Elementary School
Edgerton Elementary School, located in Edgerton, was awarded this year for the first time.
According to U.S. News and World Report, 82% of students there show proficiency in math, while 67% show proficiency in reading. The school is a part of the Gardner Edgerton School District located in Johnson County.
“The National Blue Ribbon Award stands as a resounding testament to the commitment and relentless efforts of our students, faculty, parents, and community,” president of the Unified School District 231 Board Tom Reddin said in a Sept. 19 press release. “The National Blue Ribbon Award is the highest distinction an academic institution can receive nationally, and on behalf of the entire board, we are extremely proud of this outstanding achievement and honor.”
Lakeside Elementary School
Lakeside Elementary School is a repeat winner located in Cawker City.
“We are beyond proud of our dedicated staff and students,” the elementary school shared in a Facebook post about the award.
According to U.S. News and World Report, 45% of the students there show proficiency in math and 65% showed proficiency in reading.
This is the second time the institution has been named a National Blue Ribbon School. It is part of the Osborne County Unified School District.
Roesland Elementary School
Roesland Elementary School is located in Roeland Park and part of the Shawnee Mission School District in Johnson County.
“I am so fortunate to be in a position to see how our staff, families, and students work together to achieve success every day. I am thrilled that the extraordinary qualities that make our school such a wonderful place to learn are being recognized at the national level,” principal Kelly Swift said in a press release from the district.
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Sixty-two percent of students at Roesland show proficiency in math, while 72% show proficiency in reading, according to U.S. News and World Report.
This is the second time the school has been recognized, as well.
Valley Heights Elementary School
Valley Heights Elementary School is located in Blue Rapids as part of the Valley Heights Unified School District in Marshall County.
This is the second time the elementary school has been named a National Blue Ribbon School. Officials congratulated students and staff on Facebook in a Sept. 19 post on the award.
According to Niche, a site offering data and rankings to fuel educational decisions, 47% of students at Valley Heights show proficiency in math and 52% show proficiency in reading.
