Arlington County School Named '2015 National Blue Ribbon' Winner

Arlington County’s Patrick Henry Elementary School on Tuesday was named a “2015 National Blue Ribbon School,” by the U.S. Department of Education.

The school is led by principal Annie Frye. In 1997, Frye was selected as Arlington County’s Teacher of the Year. She became principal of Patrick Henry in July 2014.

In all, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized 335 schools Tuesday as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015 based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

These schools demonstrate that all students can achieve to high levels, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The schools represent public and non-public elementary, middle and high schools, including traditional, charter, magnet schools, parochial and independent schools in 45 States, and Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Germany and Korea.

The Department will honor all 285 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 9-10 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Each school will receive an award plaque and a flag as symbols of their accomplishments. In its 33-year history, more than 8,000 of America’s schools have received the coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award.

Here’s more about Patrick Henry, from its Web site:

The History of Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry Elementary School was established in 1925. It replaced the Columbia School, Arlington County’s first public school. In 1959, Patrick Henry became the first integrated elementary school in the county. This historical moment serves as the foundation to embrace the diversity within our global society. Today, the Patrick Henry School community represents more than 20 different nationalities. We focus on the needs of all students.The school was rebuilt in 1974, and renovated and expanded in 1993. On March 31, 2001, Patrick Henry School celebrated it’s 75th year of excellence.

About Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry Elementary School has 440 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. A full range of educational services are available including preschool, gifted, ESOL/HILT, FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School-Spanish) special education, and related services such as speech, occupational and physical therapy.

The student’s families speak more than 20 different languages, and over 100 second language learners are enrolled in programs focusing on English language training.