From the Department of Public Instruction

Three North Carolina public schools were named 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. These schools are among 285 public and 50 private schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

North Carolina public schools receiving this prestigious recognition are:

• · Chocowinity Primary, Beaufort County Schools
• · Beverly Woods Elementary, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• · Rock Ridge Elementary, Wilson County Schools

“This honor recognizes students’ accomplishments and the hard work and dedication that went into their success,” Duncan said. “National Blue Ribbon Schools are models of excellence – in vision, in implementation and in results.”
State Superintendent June Atkinson was pleased three North Carolina public schools received National Blue Ribbons. “Our educators, students, parents and public school communities are working hard to ensure that all students excel. It’s gratifying when they are recognized for their efforts.”
For the past 33 years, this prestigious award has been bestowed to more than 8,000 of the nation’s most successful schools. Schools selected model excellence in leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement and parental involvement.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are recognized in one of two performance categories:

·  Exemplary High Performing Schools. Schools are among their state’s highest-performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates also are at the highest levels.

·  Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools. Schools are among their state’s highest-performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups and all students over the past five years. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates for each subgroup are at high levels.
State education departments nominate public schools that meet the rigorous criteria for consideration. Once all nominations are received, the U.S. Secretary of Education invites the nominated schools to submit applications for possible recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School.
Representatives from each of these schools will be honored at a conference and awards ceremony to be held Nov. 9-10 in Washington, D.C. They will receive a plaque and a flag signifying their selection as a National Blue Ribbon School.
Additional information regarding the National Blue Ribbon School program is available online or by contacting NCDPI Communication and Information Services at 919-807-3450.