Jacksonville Elementary Honored As Maryland Blue Ribbon School

TOWSON, MD — Jacksonville Elementary School in Baltimore County was designated a Maryland Blue Ribbon School Tuesday by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon. It was one of six in the state to be named 2019-2020 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools.

Jacksonville and the other five honorees were recognized for being "Exemplary High Performing Schools," meaning their students placed in at least the top 15 percent of all schools in Maryland based on state assessment scores in math and English language arts.

Held at the state and national level, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program highlights significant progress as well as high performance, according to a statement from Baltimore County Public Schools.

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At Jacksonville, 84.45 percent of students meet or exceed expectations in math and English language arts on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program, according to a statement from the school system, which noted it has an attendance rate of 97 percent.

Jacksonville Elementary School also earned five stars on the state’s new school ranking system and was in the 99th percentile for the state, according to the statement.

"The Maryland Blue Ribbon is a justly deserved honor for Jacksonville Elementary School," Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams said in a statement. "Under the strong leadership of Principal Debra Miller, Jacksonville offers a high-quality academic program with a fully engaged teaching staff and student body and a supportive community."

At Jacksonville, school officials added the learning community extends outside the classroom, with students participating in a monthly food collection to feed the homeless in Baltimore City.

"Recognitions such as this Blue Ribbon underscore our systemwide commitment to raising the bar, closing gaps and preparing for our future," Williams said.

There are 26 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools in the Baltimore County Public Schools system.

Here are the Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019-2020:

• Cash Valley Elementary School, Allegany County
• Jacksonville Elementary School, Baltimore County
• Hampstead Elementary School, Carroll County
• Mount View Middle School, Howard County
• Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School, Montgomery County
• Bayside Elementary School, Queen Anne's County.

"We are proud to have some of the best schools in America, and today, we are recognizing the very best of the best," Hogan said in a statement. "These schools are proof that with strong collaboration between dedicated educators, families, and communities, we can close the achievement gap, prepare our students, and give Maryland's children hope for a better future. Congratulations to all of our deserving winners."

For earning the honor, each school will receive a Maryland Blue Ribbon flag; $1,000 in office supplies; interactive technology equipment; a monetary donation; and a congratulations party.

The Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored by the Maryland General Assembly at a dinner in Annapolis on March 2, 2020. They can also apply to become National Blue Ribbon Schools through the program overseen by the U.S. Department of Education.

— By Kristin Danley-Greiner and Elizabeth Janney