2 Anne Arundel Schools Among 2016 National Blue Ribbon Winners

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Ten Maryland schools — only two from Anne Arundel County Public Schools — have been named 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. Arnold and Pasadena elementary schools were named to the elite list; the school system has now had 17 schools earn National Blue Ribbon honors, including nine in the last nine years.

Nationally, 329 public and private elementary, middle and high schools were selected based on overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps, the Department of Education said. Of the 329 schools selected, 279 are public and 50 are private. All schools, including the Maryland winners, will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 7-8.

At Arnold, more than 98 percent of students in grades 3 through 5 scored proficient or advanced on the Maryland School Assessment in reading from 2009-10 to 2013-14, the last year the MSA was administered, and more than 97 percent did so in math. Nearly 73 percent of students in grades 3 through 5 scored a 4 or 5 – the level needed to be designated as being on track for college and career readiness – on the last year’s initial administration of the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Career reading assessment, and nearly 56 percent did so in math.

Arnold is an arts integration school, and as such emphasizes strategies designed to develop critical thinking and inquiry skills along with knowledge of art standards. It also has been designated as an AACPS Wellness School of Distinction, and its partnerships with Master Gardeners of Maryland and the HEROS Running Program have provided a meditation garden, outdoor learning classrooms, and health and fitness programs.

“This is such a great day for the Arnold Elementary community,” Arnold Elementary School Principal Shauna Kauffman said in a news release. “I am so proud of our incredible students, teachers, and staff and thankful for our caring and supportive community.”

At Pasadena Elementary School, more than 93 percent of students in grades 3 through 5 scored proficient or advanced on the reading MSA and more than 92 percent did so in math from 2009-10 through 2013-14. In the last year of MSA, 100 percent of the school’s Hispanic students, 97 percent of students receiving free and reduced-price meals, 96.8 percent of white students, 90 percent of African-American students, and 83 percent of multi-racial students achieved proficient or advanced status on the reading assessment.

“Pasadena is a great place to grow and learn! This is amazing news for our school and community,” Pasadena Elementary Principal Jennifer Quirino said in the release. “I am thankful to have an awesome group of colleagues inside our building who go to great lengths for our students, and the support we receive from our community is just incredible. I am thrilled for the students, staff, and community members who share in this honor.”

National Blue Ribbon Schools are an "inspiration and a model," the Department of Education said in announcing the selected schools.

"National Blue Ribbon Schools are proof that we can prepare every child for college and meaningful careers," U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. 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."

According to the Department of Education, the award "affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon Schools flag gracing a school's building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning."

Schools are recognized based on student test scores and graduation rates in two categories: Exemplary High Performing Schools and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools.

Maryland’s 2016 National Blue Ribbon schools are:

• Arnold Elementary School, Arnold
• George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Towson
• Hereford High School, Parkton
• North Harford Elementary School, Pylesville
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Ellicott City
• Pasadena Elementary School, Pasadena
• Saint Joseph School, Fullerton, Baltimore
• Saint Patrick's Catholic School, Rockville
• Saint Pius X Regional School, Bowie
• White Marsh Elementary School, Mechanicsville

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