Evanston Academy Recognized As A 2020 Blue Ribbon School In Cincinnati

Press release from Cincinnati Public Schools:

September 24, 2020

Evanston Academy is among the 367 schools nationwide recognized as a 2020 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

"Regardless of what's going on in the world, this accomplishment at Evanston Academy speaks solidly to what we focus our daily efforts on here, academic achievement for every student," said Principal Stacey Hill-Simmons. "I am blessed and honored to serve the families in Evanston and I am proud to work with our 60-member staff. At the end of the day, it's the tireless efforts of the entire Evanston School family that earned us the Blue Ribbon Award."

The Education Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools — These are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools — These are among their state's highest performing in closing achievement gaps between a school's student groups and all students.

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The U.S. Education Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education.

Earlier this year, Evanston Academy, with an enrollment of 300 students, was one of two Ohio schools named as a Distinguished School. Schools are selected based on a combination of academic achievement of the students in the school and the creative and innovative programs that contribute to their success.

In May, Principal Stacey Hill-Simmons was selected as the 2020 Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year, an award presented by Western and Southern Financial Group.

The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually Nov. 12 and 13.

This press release was produced by Cincinnati Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.