Sep 16, 2009 8:36 am US/Eastern
8 Md. Schools Named Blue Ribbon Honorees
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
Eight Maryland schools have been selected as 2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.
They are:
Southern High School, Anne Arundel County
Western High School, Baltimore City
Seventh District Elementary School, Baltimore County
Hammond Middle School, Howard County
Highland Elementary School, Montgomery County
Stephen Decatur Middle School, Worcester County
Two area Catholic schools also received the honor: St. John Regional School in Frederick and Resurrection-St. Paul School in Ellicott City.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan made the announcement Tuesday at Highland Elementary in Silver Spring. State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick joined the Secretary, along with U. S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Montgomery County Superintendent Jerry Weast, and other dignitaries.
"Maryland's schools rank at the top of the nation, and these are among our best schools," Dr. Grasmick said. "These Blue Ribbon honorees show the nation that great schools can be found throughout our state—in rural areas, suburbs, and cities."
Governor Martin O'Malley also praised the schools.
"We have made tremendous progress for our #1-ranked, best-in-the-nation public school system, and continue to make important investments in our public schools because we know the payoff for our state will be huge," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "Together we have seen schools in all of our neighborhoods make great strides. The schools being honored today exemplify our commitment to improving classrooms throughout our state."
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap or whose students achieve at very high levels.
The schools recommended by the Maryland State Department of Education were selected on the basis of the following national criteria: assessment results and student achievement, curriculum and instruction, the professional development of teachers, and school leadership structure.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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