Big Creek's Big Blue Ribbon Award

has been named a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE).

Big Creek is one of 305 schools nationwide and one of eight Georgia schools—and the only one in Forsyth County—receiving the recognition from the DOE based on their overall academic excellence or for their success in closing achievement gaps.

“The students, staff and community are absolutely thrilled, and humbled, to have received this level of national recognition,” said Big Creek Elementary Principal Sherri Black. 

"This is the pinnacle of all honors that can be received by any school in our country and a true testament to the quality that we believe is present in not only our school, but in a great many public schools across this nation--even during these difficult economic times. This is a phenomenal moment for our school and for our district," Black said.

This is the second Blue Ribbon award for the school. In addition to being named a 2001 recipient of this prestigious honor, the school is a two-time Georgia School of Excellence winner. Big Creek also has received four Platinum Awards and one Gold Award from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement.

"The staff, students and parents at Big Creek Elementary School are to be commended for their outstanding student performance," said Forsyth County School Superintendent L.C. (Buster) Evans.

"I am thrilled that once again a Forsyth County school has been recognized on a national level for excellence. These awards are just another example of some of the great things happening in our schools," said Evans.

The DOE will honor the entire 256 public and 49 private schools with their National Blue Ribbon School awards at a conference and awards ceremony Nov. 14-15 in Washington, D.C.