Newington School Among 3 in Connecticut Named 2016 Blue Ribbon Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. today announced the 329 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2016. Three Connecticut schools were among the 329 named blue ribbon schools.

The award is based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, according to a news release.

"National Blue Ribbon Schools are proof that we can prepare every child for college and meaningful careers, King said in a video message to honorees. "Your schools are on the cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices—professional learning communities, project-based learning, social and emotional learning, positive behavior systems—making you shining examples for your communities, your state and the nation."

In Connecticut, the three schools that earned the prestigious blue ribbon are: Anna Reynolds Elementary School, 85 Reservoir Road in Newington, Bolton High School, 72 Brandy Street in Bolton, and Dr. Charles Barnum Elementary School, 68 Briar Hill Road in Groton.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and State Education Commissioner Dianna R. Wentzell praised the schools that earned the special designation.

“Every student deserves the kind of education that allows them to thrive and prepares them for success in life. And with exemplar schools like Anna Reynolds School in Newington, Bolton High School, and Charles Barnum School in Groton inspiring a love of learning in our students, it’s no wonder that we have record high graduation rates and students who are among the best readers in the nation,” said Malloy in a prepared statement. “We congratulate these three schools and look for opportunities to share their successful strategies with schools across the state.”

Newington’s Anna Reynolds School and Bolton High School received honors in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category for high student achievement and graduation rates.

Groton’s Charles Barnum School was recognized as an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School for its track record of closing achievement gaps between subgroups.

In 2015, Connecticut had four schools make the list including: Dorothy C. Goodwin School, Storrs, Masuk High School, Monroe, Robert A. Wakelee Elementary School, Wolcott, and Worthington Hooker School, New Haven.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

The award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content, the news release from the U.S. Department of Education states.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools flag gracing a school's building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. National Blue Ribbon Schools are an inspiration and a model for schools still striving for excellence.

Now in its 34th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on fewer than 8,500 schools.

On Nov. 7 and 8, the Department will formally recognize the 279 public and 50 private schools at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

All schools are recognized in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's subgroups and all students over the past five years.

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. The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools. A total of 420 schools nationwide may be nominated each year.

You can view the entire 2016 list here.

Written by Brian McCready (Patch Staff)

Photo credit: Newington Public Schools