Marengo Elementary Earns National Blue Ribbon Schools Honor In South Pasadena

Press release from the South Pasadena Unified School District:

September 25, 2020

SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. (September 25, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized 367 schools, including Marengo Elementary in South Pasadena, as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” said Secretary DeVos. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”

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. Marengo Elementary has been honorably designated as an 2020 Exemplary High Performing School and one of 36 schools from California to be awarded this honor. Marengo joins Arroyo Vista and Monterey Hills—schools that were recognized with National Blue Ribbon awards in 2019—in receiving the highly sought-after distinction.

“We are so excited about this well-deserved recognition for the Marengo Elementary School community,” said Superintendent Geoff Yantz. “The team at Marengo has demonstrated consistent excellence and the dedication needed for successful teaching and learning. This stellar performance gives South Pasadena Unified School District the honor of being the home of three National Blue Ribbon Schools—each of the elementary schools.”

Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,00 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards.

The Education Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools – These are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools – These are among their state’s highest performing in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

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).

The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually November 12 and 13.

This press release was produced by the South Pasadena Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.