Great Valley Middle School Named One of the Best in the Nation

MALVERN, PA – It's official: Great Valley Middle School is a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School.

U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. made the announcement last week. The school is one of 279 public and 50 private schools to receive this honor.

Schools are nominated for the National Blue Ribbon award by the state department of education, and then complete a comprehensive application about school practices, according to a press release issued by the Great Valley School District.

Schools may apply for status in one of two categories: Exemplary High Performing, among the top schools in a state; or Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing, schools making the fastest progress in their state in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Great Valley Middle School earned distinction in the latter category.

A two-day awards ceremony will be held in Washington, D.C., in November. School representatives will attend to celebrate the hard-won achievement, and to officially accept the award. A school celebration will follow, the district said.

“We are thrilled and grateful to receive National Blue Ribbon status,” Principal Edward Souders said in a statement. “The distinction clearly speaks to the many efforts our school community makes to ensure that all students realize their fullest potential. This award belongs to everyone – our teachers, our staff, our parents, our students, and our community – who consistently support a strong educational program and who work to ensure that our middle school is a supportive and inspiring learning community for all students.”

Great Valley Middle School is the only middle school in the Great Valley School District, serving nearly 1,000 students in grades six through eight.

Patch file photo.