Liberty Elementary School Nationally Recognized For Closing Achievement Gap

LIBERTY— Congratulations to Southern Tioga School District’s Liberty Elementary School for being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2020.

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized 367 schools (including only 14 schools throughout Pennsylvania) as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“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 Education 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 – These are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
  • Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools – These are among their state’s highest performing in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Principal Emily Ostrom-Graham said the school’s award is the result of hard work and dedication.

We are lucky to have a strong faculty and strong community all working together on behalf of our students,” said Ostrom-Graham. “This award reflects the hard work and dedication that is put into ensuring our students succeed.”

Sam Rotella, Superintendent, said “Recognitions such as the Blue Ribbon Award exemplifies our commitment to closing gaps and preparing our students for the future. I would like to thank parents, faculty, staff, board of directors, administration, including former principal Joe Eglesia, and everyone in our learning community. This award is a community effort.”

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The U.S. Education 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).

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.

The full list of National Blue Ribbon Schools is available at https://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.

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