E.O. Smith Named National Blue Ribbon School For 2022

STORRS, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker Friday announced that E.O. Smith High School has been named by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School.

The award is given annually to select schools across the nation for demonstrating overall high achievement of success in closing achievement gaps.

"Connecticut’s public schools are consistently rated among the best in the nation, and that is due to the teachers and staff who work in our school systems and provide a high level of learning that is helping our students achieve success throughout their future careers," Lamont said. "The ability to attract businesses and encourage them to expand and grow in our state is directly connected to the strength of our workforce and the quality of training that students receive, which is why it is critical that we provide the youngest in our communities with the tools needed to compete in today’s economy. Our administration remains committed to strengthening all of the schools in our state so that every child – no matter their neighborhood or family income level – has an opportunity to receive an education that prepares them for achievement."

Russell-Tucker said, "We have made it a focus this year to highlight what’s right in schools, and our Blue Ribbon Award winners are prime examples of the many innovative practices underway in districts to ensure the continued growth and educational success of our students."

The Connecticut State Department of Education uses data from the Next Generation Accountability System to nominate schools for the National Blue Ribbon School award. Given the recent pause in accountability determinations, current recipients were nominated based on 2018-19 accountability results. Nominated schools must complete an application process and be approved by the U.S. Department of Education. All selected schools in Connecticut were designated as Schools of Distinction. National Blue Ribbon Schools are identified in two categories: exemplary high performing and exemplary achievement gap closing.

Here's the E.O. Smith entry:

E.O. Smith High School in Region 19 (Exemplary High Performing)

E.O. Smith High School located in Mansfield enrolls about 1,100 students from a variety of other small towns including Ashford, Willington, Columbia, and Eastford. Students from Coventry and Windham are also able to attend E.O. Smith through participation in a four-year comprehensive Agri-science program. The percentage of students from economically-disadvantaged families has increased over the last decade from about 12% to more than 25% in recent years. The school maintains a strong relationship with the University of Connecticut, which is adjacent to the high school campus. This partnership affords E.O. Smith students a wide range of learning opportunities including enrolling in tuition-free college courses.

There is evidence to suggest that students leave E.O. Smith well-prepared for their post-secondary education. Based on data from the Class of 2019, 80.9% of students enrolled in a two or four-year institution within one year of graduating and more than 90% of those students were still enrolled one year later. Educators at E.O. Smith encourage persistence by allowing students to revise work and reassess progress toward learning goals. The school prides itself on a blending of high standards, mastery-based learning, and personalization with ample flexibility. They do not focus on unnecessary prerequisites and timelines. Instead, they offer guidelines and create conditions that will allow all students to improve and develop their skills as self-directed learners.