November 5, 2021 — The 2021 National Blue Ribbon recipients traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to receive their Award from the U.S. Department of Education. [Pictured: Somerset academy Silver Palms Principal Kerri Ann O’Sullivan and Vice-Principal Maria Mongeotti at the National Blue Ribbon Award ceremony]
In Florida, seven schools earned a prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award in 2021 — four of which are charter schools. They are:
AcadeMir Charter School Middle – Miami Dade
Charter School of Excellence at Davie – Broward
Somerset Academy Silver Palms – Miami Dade
Terrace Community Middle School – Hillsborough
The Alliance got a chance to speak with (pictured left) Karla Rodriguez, Principal, and Paola Espinosa, Assistant Principal, at AcadeMir Charter School Middle about their National Blue Ribbon Award, building a great relationship with parents, and lessons learned during the pandemic. Click here to watch that conversation.
“This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.
The Education Department recognizes all schools 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 student groups and all students.
For more information about the 2021 National Blue Ribbon Award, click here.