Great Valley Middle School Selected As 2016 National Blue Ribbon School

Great Valley Middle School in Malvern has been named one of 2016's National Blue Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday.

The 329 public and private elementary, middle and high schools were selected because of overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps, the Department of Education said.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are an "inspiration and a model," the Department of Education said in announcing the selected schools.

"National Blue Ribbon Schools are proof that we can prepare every child for college and meaningful careers, King said in a video message to honorees. "Your schools are on the cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices—professional learning communities, project-based learning, social and emotional learning, positive behavior systems—making you shining examples for your communities, your state and the nation."

According to the Department of Education, the award "affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon Schools flag gracing a school's building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning."

The 279 public and 50 private schools will be recognized at an award ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 7 and 8.

According to the Department of Education, all schools are recognized in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• 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.

Pennsylvania schools selected as 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools include:

• Fairview Elementary School, Pittsburgh
• Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures Charter School, Philadelphia
• Great Valley Middle School, Malvern
• Hampton High School, Allison Park
• Holy Family School (non-public), Phoenixville
• James Gettys Elementary School, Gettysburg
• Mifflinburg Area Intermediate School, Mifflinburg
• Northwestern Elementary School, Albion
• Penn Alexander School, Philadelphia
• Pickering Valley Elementary School, Chester Springs
• St. St. Genevieve School (Non-Public), Flourtown
• St. Joan of Arc School (Non-Public), Hershey
• St. Mary Interparochial School (Non-Public), Philadelphia
• St. Philip Neri School (Non-Public)(Non-Public), Lafayette Hill
• Southern Columbia Area High School, Catawissa
• Strath Haven High School, Wallingford
• Wissahickon High School, Ambler
• York Suburban Senior High School, York