3 Montgomery County Schools Earn National Blue Ribbon Honors

BALTIMORE– Two public schools and one private school in Montgomery County that were awarded Maryland Blue Ribbons last year have been named 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. The schools are located in Bethesda, Rockville and Germantown, according to a state news release.

The state public schools receiving national honors are:

• Shipley’s Choice Elementary School, Anne Arundel County
• Sunderland Elementary School, Calvert County
• Centerville Elementary School, Frederick County
• Manor Woods Elementary School, Howard County
• Ronald McNair Elementary School, Montgomery County, Germantown
• Farmland Elementary School, Montgomery County, Rockville

In addition, seven Maryland nonpublic schools are being recognized this year, bringing the total to 13 Blue Ribbon Schools across the state. The nonpublic schools honored are: Little Flower School in Bethesda; St. John’s Catholic School in Hollywood; St. John Regional Catholic School in Frederick; St. John the Evangelist School, Long Green Valley in Hydes; St. Louis School in Clarksville; St. Mary Catholic School in Hagerstown; and St. Peter’s Elementary School in Waldorf.

The schools are recognized on the basis of rigorous state and national requirements for high achievement and significant improvement. The students in each of these schools are high achievers in reading and mathematics, and many serve a significant number of economically disadvantaged students. “Maryland has some of the best schools in the nation, and our great teachers and students are vital to their success,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “These six schools offer an exceptional teaching and learning environment for our students, and I congratulate them on this tremendous achievement.”

National honors will be awarded on Nov. 6 and 7 in Washington DC, where Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will congratulate the Blue Ribbon recipients.

MARYLAND PUBLIC BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS 2016-2017

Montgomery County – Farmland Elementary School – Mary Bliss, Principal

Farmland Elementary has a diverse international student population with a motto – “Together We Can.” At Farmland, students come from 23 different countries, with 179 ESOL students speaking 24 different languages. In spite of language challenges, PARCC proficiency in math was 74 percent and English/language arts was 66 percent. A highlight of the school year is the International Night Celebration which serves as a vehicle for parental collaboration. The faculty and administrators have high expectations for themselves and the students, and focus on critical thinking skills for all students. Each student sets achievable personal goals and meets regularly with teachers to monitor his or her performance and achievement success. Farmland Elementary also has a mentoring program, morning messages, celebration assemblies, and charitable events geared to developing social responsibility in all the students.

Montgomery County – Ronald McNair Elementary School – Sherilyn Moses, Principal

Ronald McNair, with an enrollment of 875 students, has a diverse population that includes economically disadvantaged, ESOL, and special education students. The school has made strides in achievement with over 62 percent of its students proficient or advanced in both math and English/language arts. The school’s Home School Model program has special education students fully included in co-taught classes at all grade levels, K through 5th grades. McNair was ranked as the 11th best public elementary school in the state of Maryland, and top in Montgomery County Public Schools for the 2015 NICHE Ranking of Best Schools. As a fourth year PBIS school, classes mark their progress with coupons, awards, and quarterly town hall Meetings. The school was awarded the prestigious Bronze Award for its implementation of PBIS and is a Professional Development School with Towson University, training up to fifteen teachers each year.

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