Gwynedd-Mercy Elementary Wins National Blue Ribbon Designation

SPRING HOUSE, PA — Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary School has been named among the nation's most distinguished schools, earning a National Blue Ribbon School designation for 2017, the U.S. Department of Education announced.

According to the Department of Education, the honors are based on all student scores on state assessments or national tests. The state’s top-testing schools are considered exemplary high performing schools, while exemplary achievement gap closing schools are among their state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's subgroups and all students over the past five years.

Gwynedd-Mercy Elementary was recognized for the high performing category. 2017 marks the second time the school has received the honor.

"Thanks to our faculty, parents and Board of Trustees, who have provided the dedication and resources to allow us to reach this pinnacle of recognition," the school said in a statement.

Nationwide, 342 schools were recognized for the award, which has been given annually since 1982. A total of 18 of those schools were in Pennsylvania. In Montgomery County, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, located in Schwenksville, also earned the honor.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education, while the Department of Education invites 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 to submit nominees.

Image via Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary School