Brownstone Intermediate School Honored for its Academics

The honors continue to roll in for Portland.

Just weeks after being named one of the Top 100 small towns in the United States by Money Magazine, Portland’s Brownstone Intermediate School learned it received the U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence.

Brownstone Intermediate Principal Laurie Boske announced the good news to the school once official word came down Sept. 15.

“Everybody cheered. Everybody applauded. We were very excited,” said Boske, who will travel to Washington in November to accept the Blue Ribbon Award on behalf of many others.

“Really, it’s a result of all the teachers, K through 6, because they’re preparing the students," she said. "We only have them for two years. Whatever happened before got them ready to go. We just kept them moving forward.”

The Blue Ribbon Award is bestowed annually upon schools that achieve high levels of performance, or that have made significant improvements.

Brownstone Intermediate, which houses 250 fifth- and sixth-grade students, was selected for its academic excellence.

“We keep them for two years, and we pack those years with caring, compassion and individualized teaching. We just make it a fun place to be,” said Boske, who is in her fifth year as principal.

“We feel that, for Brownstone, it’s more about connecting with the students; and we start there," she said. "We feel it’s real important to make that personal connection, and get to know the students as much as we can. We’re engaging them that way. That way they’re ready to learn, and we move them forward from there.”

One of the first congratulatory calls Boske received last week was from First Selectman Susan Bransfield.

“We’re figuring out how we’re going to celebrate with the town, because, obviously, our Blue Ribbon status is based on school and parents working together,” Boske said. “All the parents have a part in this as well.”

The Connecticut Department of Education, citing the school’s high Mastery Test scores, nominated Brownstone Intermediate for the Blue Ribbon distinction. From there, Boske filled out an application explaining how Brownstone Intermediate “got where we are.”

This year, 304 public and private schools nationwide garnered the coveted Blue Ribbon award, including five in Connecticut.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said via a press release: “America’s long-term economic prosperity and civic engagement depends on our children receiving a world-class education. National Blue Ribbon Schools are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their success is an example for others to follow.”