Ridge Park Elem Named National Blue Ribbon School

[Text sent from Colonial School District and posted at editor's discretion]

Ridge Park Elementary School in the Colonial School District was named today as one of 269 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2012 by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Ridge Park is one of just eight schools in Pennsylvania and the only elementary school in Montgomery County to receive the award.

"This is certainly a special honor for Ridge Park Elementary School and the entire Colonial School District," said Superintendent Dr. MaryEllen Gorodetzer. "Receiving the nation's highest education award is a testament to our administrators, teachers and curriculum staff and validates our philosophy of strong staff development and a consistent curriculum which engages students to think independently and solve real-world problems creatively."

On the 2011 PSSA exams, 100-percent of Ridge Park Elementary students scored at the proficient or advanced level in both math and reading. Ridge Park, one of four K-3 elementary schools in the Colonial School District, has helped lead all Colonial Elementary Schools to the top of the heap among Montgomery County Schools in terms of PSSA performance. With a consistent curriculum throughout all schools and grade levels, Colonial's PSSA performance has risen dramatically over the past 10 years. The District was ranked among the top four-percent of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts in an April Philadelphia Business Journal article. The ranking was based on 2011 PSSA scores.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students' levels of achievement. 

The program recognizes schools in one of two performance categories. The first category is "Exemplary High Performing," in which schools are recognized among their state's highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. The second category is "Exemplary Improving," in which schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrate the most progress in improving student achievement levels as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests.

To select National Blue Ribbon Schools, the Department requests nominations from the top education official in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools. A total of 417 schools nationwide may be nominated, with allocations determined by the numbers of K-12 students and schools in each jurisdiction. The Secretary of Education invites nominated schools to submit an application for possible recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School. 

"Our nation has no greater responsibility than helping all children realize their full potential," Duncan said. "Schools honored with the National Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers.  Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and that education is the surest pathway to a strong, secure future."

Ridge Park Elementary will celebrate its 50th anniversary in October.