South Slope Charter Is One Of The City's 8 Blue Ribbon Winners

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — A local charter was one of only eight NYC schools, only three in Brooklyn, that won a national Blue Ribbon honor this year.

Hellenic Classical Charter School, found on Fifth Avenue between 18th and 19th streets, was the only neighborhood school to make the cut. It joined two other Brooklyn schools, one in Bushwick and one in Brighton Beach, that were named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2019.

According to the Department of Education, being named a Blue Ribbon school “affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.”

“We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives,” U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a video message to the honorees. “As a National Blue Ribbon School, your school demonstrates what is possible when committed educators hold all students and staff to high standards and create vibrant, innovative cultures of teaching and learning.”

Across the country, 362 schools earned the title. The rest of the Big Apple's honorees included two schools in Manhattan, two in The Bronx and one in Queens.

Each school that earns the award is either among the highest performing schools in a state or among the highest performing in closing the achievement gap.

Hellenic was among the highest performing group.

The school, which also has a location in Staten Island, focuses on the classical study of Greek and Latin languages. It teaches pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

A ceremony honoring all the Blue Ribbon schools will be held in Washington D.C. in November.

Check out all of the NYC schools that earned the title here and the full list of Blue Ribbon schools for 2019 here.