Indian Valley's Port Washington Elementary named National Blue Ribbon School

Kelli Weir, The Repository
·2 min read
Port Washington Elementary third grader Lindsay Wrather reads a book in Beccie Booth’s classroom in this file photo.
Port Washington Elementary third grader Lindsay Wrather reads a book in Beccie Booth’s classroom in this file photo.

Port Washington Elementary School has been named a National Blue Ribbon School ― again.

The elementary school of 405 students in the Gnadenhutten-based Indian Valley Local School District was recognized Friday among 13 Ohio schools and 297 public and private schools nationwide with the prestigious award.

The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance. The school, which serves students from kindergarten to fifth grade, previously received Blue Ribbon status in 2003.

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U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made this year’s announcement during his Road to Success Back to School bus tour.

“As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children,” Cardona said. “Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives.”

Indian Valley Local Superintendent Ira Wentworth said the fact that Port Washington has twice earned the Blue Ribbon title shows that its success is baked into the fabric of the school.

"I just believe its indicative of the culture that the teachers have established at Port Washington for years," he said. "They have established a culture of high expectations for student learning and they work at any cost to make sure students have the support they need to achieve at high levels."

In their application for the award, Port Washington school officials also commended the school’s high quality and experienced staff.

“Community members, parents, visitors and students who enter this exceptional building often tell staff that the school emits a feeling of family. Indeed, this is our secret ingredient. That something extraordinary ― so vital to the students and staff who thrive here,” the application reads.

Which other Ohio schools received the National Blue Ribbon?

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which began in 1982, has bestowed roughly 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools. Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year by top education officials.

Besides Port Washington, the other Ohio schools awarded the National Blue Ribbon are:

  • Sauder Elementary School, Jackson Local School District.

  • Watson Elementary School, Perry Local School District.

  • Canfield Village Middle School, Canfield Local School District.

  • South Range Elementary School, South Range Local School District.

  • Oakwood Junior High School, Oakwood City School District.

  • Hicksville Elementary School, Hicksville Exempted Village.

  • Olentangy High School, Olentangy Local School District.

  • Lynchburg-Clay Elementary School, Lynchburg-Clay Local School District.

  • Seaborn Elementary School, Weathersfield Local School District.

  • Grace L Roxbury Elementary School, Solon City School District.

  • Versailles Elementary School, Versailles Exempted Village.

  • Isham Memorial Elementary School, Wadsworth City School District.

Reach Kelli at 330-580-8330 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.

On Twitter: @kweirREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Port Washington Elementary named National Blue Ribbon School