Oklahoma Road Middle School Awarded National Blue Ribbon

in Eldersburg joins an elite group of schools achieving the highest honor from the Department of Education–National Blue Ribbon status.

“This is a well-deserved honor for the Eldersburg community,” said Catherine Hood, who has been the principal of Oklahoma Road Middle School since 2000.

“It’s an incredible feeling but it didn’t become a reality with just me. The students, staff and parents all did an amazing amount to get us to this point,” said Hood.

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools whose students achieve at very high levels or have made significant progress and helped close gaps in achievement, especially among disadvantaged and minority students. 

The middle school was with State Superintendent Dr. Nancy Grasmick to celebrate with students and staff before her retirement.

The school is the second one in Eldersburg and the third in Carroll County to receive the honor, with in Eldersburg recognized in 2008 and Spring Garden Elementary in Hampstead recognized in 2001. 

Students at Oklahoma Road excel at high levels, with 67 percent of the student body earning Honor Roll status since December 2010.

The school met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) this year with 95 percent of the student body proficient in reading and 92 percent proficient in mathematics, according to data on the Maryland State Department of Education School Improvement Website.

In this year’s Maryland State Assessment 64 percent of students scored as "advanced" in reading and 52.5 percent scored as "advanced" in mathematics. 

The test scores are a product of students in need of intervention identified and immediately provided assistance by school faculty and staff who often stay after class to assist with homework and help students having issues with material.

“I think it is a wonderful achievement,” said Lauren McRobie, whose daughter graduated last year and is currently a student at Liberty High School. “It’s a shame that her class will not benefit from their part in the achievement.”

“I was so thrilled when I got the message today,” said parent Erin Bishop, whose daughter is in seventh grade at Oklahoma Road and her son graduated in 2010.

“It is an amazing school, the teachers are so dedicated, they work so hard to get the kids motivated. Cathy Hood is very engaged and just on top of everything and runs a very good school.”

Hood says as part of the reward she receives a new blue ribbon plaque and the opportunity to attend a two-day ceremony in Washington, D.C. along with one other teacher she chooses. 

“All of the teacher’s here are unbelievably hard workers. I’m not sure who’s going with me,” said Hood. “I might have to draw names out of a bucket.”

As for the recognizing the achievement at the school, Hood says she’s going to need a new flagpole.

“Between the American flag, the state flag and the flags from our awards, when we go half-mast they are falling to the ground!”

Oklahoma Road was one of 10 schools in Maryland this year to receive the national honor including: 

• Bel Air Elementary School in Allegany County
• Lime Kiln Middle School in Howard County
• Mount Washington Elementary School in Baltimore City
• Severna Park High School in Anne Arundel County
• Towson High School Law and Public Policy in Baltimore County
• Mary of Nazareth Roman Catholic School in Darnestown
• St. Bartholomew Catholic School in Bethesda
• St. Jane de Chantal Catholic School in Bethesda
• St. Mary's School in Rockville