[Pictured: Ms. Alex Prieto, Somerset Academy Miramar South Principal, reads the 2020 Blue Ribbon Schools announcement]
On September 24, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized Somerset Academy Middle South Miami and Somerset Academy Miramar South for being named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The two charter schools among the eleven Florida schools that earned the prestigious recognition based on their overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Somerset Academy Middle and Somerset Academy Miramar South are part of the Somerset Academy Inc network of high performing charter schools. Both are Academica-supported charter schools.
Somerset Academy Miramar South is located at 12601 Somerset Blvd.in Miramar (Broward County), The Title 1 school opened in 1997 under the name Somerset Academy Neighborhood School. It was the first Somerset Academy charter school and one of the first charter schools in the state. Opened in 2009, Somerset Academy Middle South Miami is a dual-language charter school offering students a Spanish or Mandarin track. The middle school has earned an “A” on the state assessment for 9 consecutive years and received a “School Recognition Award” from the Florida Department of Education. Based on the points received under the State of Florida Accountability Program, Somerset Academy South Miami continues to be ranked among the highest performing public elementary and middle schools in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida.
“Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” said Secretary DeVos. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”
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 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.
The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup 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.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education.
The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually Nov. 12 and 13. While we regret not having the opportunity to celebrate in person, given the current situation regarding COVID-19, we will celebrate the 317 public and 50 non-public school honorees in the ways that we are able, and they will each receive their plaques and flags via mail.
Photographs and brief descriptions of all 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.