Keynote Speech The Hero’s Journey: What Role Will You Play? For the ceremony’s keynote speech, National Teacher of the Year Sydney Chaffee drew on the myth of The Hero’s Journey—a quest story that takes its actor from the comforts of the known world into a wider, unknown world of threats and challenges. Critically, at certain Read More
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has announced 342 schools as the 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The award is based on a school’s overall academic excellence or marked progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. National Blue Ribbon Schools demonstrate that all students can achieve to high levels. In her video message, Secretary Read More
About 12 years ago, following a careful analysis, The Cranbury School (Cranbury, NJ), began “The Math Shuffle.” Taking advantage of its K-8 structure, Cranbury leaders revamped the schedule so that every morning, middle school math teachers “push in” to math instruction classes in grades 3-5. During the Shuffle, students, and sometimes teachers, move around to Read More
The DSST (Denver School of Science and Technology) network, part of Denver Public Schools, was founded in 2005 to expand educational opportunities through open enrollment in STEM-focused schools. Green Valley Ranch High School opened in 2011 and has seen 100% of its seniors graduate and go on to college. Green Valley Ranch High School operates Read More
About five years ago, the community of Deerfield, Illinois, came together to anticipate the educational needs of future generations. Alan Shepard Middle School has led the way. First converting the junior high school to the more student-centered middle school model, leaders at Shepard then expanded students’ encore options (as distinct from core—math, ELA, science, and Read More
National Blue Ribbon School recognition propelled Elgin Middle School into the news–for all the right reasons. Read the transcript of Benefits of the Blue Ribbon Award. Read Elgin Middle School’s National Blue Ribbon Schools application. Contact Information Current Principal: Chris Garner Former Principal: Sammy Jackson (2003-2011) Elgin Middle School Highway 17 and Mighty Owl Avenue Elgin, OK Read More
The success of John Wash derives, in part, from grade-level Professional Learning Communities that use assessment results to guide instruction and intervention. Essential standards are assessed through summative, district-wide, and grade-level assessments administered three times a year as well as weekly, formative grade-level assessments created by each PLC. Teams share accountability for all students’ success Read More
In order to spread knowledge of innovative and successful school practices, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program profiles a number of schools from each year’s cohort. Stories are added as they are produced. Innovating Math Instruction explores how The Cranbury School (Cranbury, NJ), enables math middle school math teachers to “push in” to lower grades Read More
Deer Park Environmental Science Magnet Elementary School (Newport News, VA) seeks to develop engaged students who bring their learning to life through caring for the environment. Immersing students in critical STEM explorations both on campus and off, Deer Park is home to more than 50 animal habitats. Each classroom hosts at least one habitat, teaching Read More
“Breaking News” 3:04 Students at Worthington Christian Elementary School (Columbus, OH) produced a news segment on their school’s recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School. “Dedication and Hard Work” 2:46 Principal Angela Clenendon of Coeburn Middle School (Coeburn, VA) attributes her school’s NBRS recognition to concerted efforts by teachers, staff, students, and parents. “That’s Us!” Read More