Simpson Elementary Receives 2012 National Blue Ribbon Award

On Tuesday, Simpson Elementary School was honored in Washington D.C. as one of the nation's 2012 Blue Ribbon Schools. The Peachtree Corners school was one of only seven Georgia public schools to receive the award - and the only Gwinnett County school to be recognized.

A total of 314 schools across the nation were recognized in a ceremony that was held by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Each school that attended received a plaque and a flag to signify its status as a National Blue Ribbon School.

"The Simpson community is thrilled that our school was named a 2012 National
Blue Ribbon School of Excellence," said Bron Gayna Schmit, the school's principal.

"It is a great honor to be one of 269 schools selected from over 100,000 schools nationwide.This is a wonderful affirmation of the hard work of our students and staff. I am blessed to be the principal of Simpson!"

State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge added: "I congratulate these schools for being recognized as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The students, teachers and staff of these schools should be proud of their success. These schools are shining examples of what happens when everyone is focused on student learning."

2012 GEORGIA BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS

Public

• - Chase Street Elementary, Clarke County
• - Austell Intermediate School, Cobb County
• - Kittredge Magnet, DeKalb County
• - Crabapple Crossing, Fulton County
• - Fairmount Elementary, Gordon County
• - Simpson Elementary, Gwinnett County
• - Britt David Elementary, Muscogee County

One Georgia private school, First Presbyterian Day Middle School in Macon, was also named a National Blue Ribbon School. The selection process for private schools is different.

Blue Ribbon Schools are chosen in two categories (see the full criteria descriptions):

- High performing schools: Schools that scored in the top 10 percent in student achievement.

- Dramatically improved schools: Schools with at least 40 percent economically disadvantaged students that have dramatically improved student achievement to high levels. 

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