Nayatt School Named a 2015 Blue Ribbon School

Nayatt School in Barrington has been named a 2015 Blue Ribbon School — the pinnacle of national awards for high performing schools.

The prestigious distinction is reserved for the best and highest performing schools in the country. Just 335 schools are recognized this year.

The K-3 school serves 320 students and their families and highlighted its “long history of strong student-parent and school community partnerships,” according to its 23-page Blue Ribbon Award application.

The award is a recognition of the school’s overall academic excellence, progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups and the “exemplary teaching and learning,” according to a U.S. Department of Education news release.

“This honor recognizes your students’ accomplishments and the hard work and dedication that went into their success,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a video message to the awardees. “Your journey has taught you collaboration, intentional instruction, and strong relationships in school and with your community. You represent excellence—in vision, in implementation, and in results—and we want to learn as much as we can from you.”

The school was noted in particular for its strong working relationship with the Nyatt PTO. Parents and community volunteers collaborate strategically with educators “to help all children feel safe and to develop their critical thinking skills,” according to the school’s award summary.

A total of 285 public and 50 private schools will be recognized at a ceremony this November in Washington, D.C.

In its 33-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on more than 8,000 of America’s schools.