STATE SUPERINTENDENT BARRESI CELEBRATES SIX 2013 BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS IN OKLAHOMA

Today six Oklahoma schools were bestowed the coveted recognition of being named 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. Nationally, 286 schools were recognized with the Oklahoma schools being, Bartlesville Mid-High School, Bartlesville Public Schools; Central High Elementary School, Central High Public Schools; Chisholm High School, Chisholm Public Schools; Harding Charter Preparatory High School in Oklahoma City; Tulsa Eisenhower International Elementary School, Tulsa Public Schools, and Wayland Bonds Elementary School, Moore Public Schools. 

“My heartiest congratulations on this great honor to the students, teachers and principals of these schools. Being named a Blue Ribbon School means these schools have demonstrated that student achievement for all students is a top priority. The parents and families of the children attending these schools also are to be congratulated. The entire school community has come together and focused on providing students with the best in educational opportunities. I encourage their districts and communities to celebrate this award of excellence at every opportunity,” said Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi.

Along with their fellow Blue Ribbon Schools from across the country, representatives from these schools will be recognized November 18 and 19 in Washington, D.C. The National Blue Ribbon Schools award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students’ levels of achievement.

The program recognizes schools in one of two performance categories. The first category is “Exemplary High Performing,” in which schools are recognized among their state’s highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. The second category is “Exemplary Improving,” in which schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrate the most progress in improving student achievement levels as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests.

In its 31-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has named nearly 7,500 of America’s schools as Blue Ribbon Schools. To select National Blue Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Education requests nominations from the top education official in every state. A total of 420 schools nationwide may be nominated, with allocations determined by the number of K-12 students and schools in each jurisdiction.