U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized Brown Elementary School, in Byron Center Public Schools, and Wealthy Elementary School, in East Grand Rapids Public Schools, as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015 in the category of “Exemplary High Performing Schools” based on their overall academic excellence and their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
“This honor recognizes your students’ accomplishments and the hard work and dedication that went into their success,” Duncan said in a video message to the awardees. “Your journey has taught you collaboration, intentional instruction, and strong relationships in school and with your community. You represent excellence—in vision, in implementation, and in results—and we want to learn as much as we can from you.
The Department will honor 285 public and 50 private schools nationally at the recognition ceremony on Nov. 9-10 in Washington, D.C. In its 33-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on more than 8,000 of America’s schools.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.
A total of 13 Michigan schools received the designation. In Ottawa County, Bursley Elementary School, in Jenison Public Schools, and Forest Grove Elementary School, in Hudsonville Public Schools, were also awarded.
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