Discovery School at Bellwood is one of only six schools in Tennessee and among 349 schools nationwide recognized by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018.
“Discovery School is actively moving toward problem-based applied learning as they prepare students for success in college and careers,” says Dr. Linda Gilbert, Director of Murfreesboro City Schools. “We are proud of their achievements and celebrate with them as they receive this well-deserved recognition. We congratulate them for their hard work and success”
“Discovery School is blessed with great teachers and great students who work hard daily to achieve excellence,” says Kristina Maddux, Principal. “We are also fortunate to have parents and a school district who support the school and the school’s mission.”
This is the second time for Discovery School to be honored with the National Blue Ribbon Award. Discovery School won its first National Blue Ribbon Award in 2012.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized 349 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
“I'm pleased to celebrate with you as your school is named a National Blue Ribbon School,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a video message to the honorees. “We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives. Congratulations on your students' accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs.”
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 36th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,800 schools. On November 7-8, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with 300 public and 49 private school honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
All schools are honored 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 over the past five years.
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. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).
Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at http://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.